Ministers and Heads of Delegation of Latin American, Caribbean and European Union countries, and the European Commission representative, present at the III LAC-EU Ministerial Forum on the Information Society, held on 22-23 November 2004 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

1. Recalling that this III Forum fulfils the mandate given to it by the Heads of State and Government of the two regions in the political declaration issued at the III Latin America and Caribbean – European Union Summit held in Guadalajara (Mexico) on 28-29 May 2004
2. Emphasising that the III Forum consolidates the tradition of dialogue on the Information Society between both regions, having as a basis the events previously held in Seville, in 2002, and in Lima, in 2003.
3. Underlining the understanding that the fundamental objective of the Information Society should be to promote human development and social, cultural and economic well-being.
4. Recalling that Heads of State and Government at the Guadalajara Summit expressed their determination to build fairer and more cohesive societies, being one of the main elements of the bi-regional strategic partnership.
5. Recognising the on-going efforts in the two regions in order to bridge the digital divide, which is exacerbated by the economic and social divide existing both within and between LAC and EU countries, and that the resolution of this situation requires public policies recognising national and regional realities.
6. Considering the points of view of representatives from civil society, the private sector, international organisations and other stakeholders present at the III Forum.
   
   

1. Reiterate their commitment to cooperate on projects to eradicate poverty, inequalities and social exclusions, as well as to prevent any new forms of social segregation.
2. Affirm their commitment to the promotion of public policies which encourage investment, improve income distribution and ensure the sustainable development, fostering welfare and progress for all, especially in areas such as education, science, innovation, professional training, health, culture, employment, citizenship, government transparency and efficiency,  building participative, stronger and fairer democratic societies. Public policies should take into account the impact of new technologies on human, social and cultural rights and the environment.
3. Support, in particular, the creation, dissemination and preservation of cultural content in different languages and formats, witch should have a high priority for building an inclusive, pluralistic and democratic Knowledge Society.
4. Reaffirm their conviction that the full benefits of the Information Society will not be achieved while a digital divide persists between those who have and those who have not access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the necessary education for its effective use. While the disparity between those countries which master these technologies and those which have a dependency relationship with them is not reduced, it will be necessary to create mechanisms that increase the diffusion and development of ICTs in the latter.
5. Underline that ICTs constitute a tool for strengthening the exercise of citizenship, being able to ensure broader access to government and public authorities and to the basic services that society requires. The Information Society should strike a fair balance between on one hand commercial interests and intellectual property rights, and on the other hand the interests and needs of countries and societies which are not able to compete on the international market in the production of advanced technology and knowledge.
6. Declare that digital inclusion requires solidarity and partnership between governments and other actors, in particular civil society, the private sector and international organisations. Cooperation initiatives, both within national borders and between States and between regions, should contribute to the establishment of a digital solidarity agenda, which builds the basis for the development of the Information Society in less developed areas and regions.
7. Call on the political leaders of Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union to support an Information Society that promotes the rich cultural diversity and plurality that characterises the countries in both regions and sub regions.
8. Underline that, with a view to building an Information Society, efficient international mechanisms for cooperation and financing are needed. Agree in this context to develop an alliance for social cohesion, having as a reference the Plan of Action of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Adopt on that basis the Bi-regional work programme for digital inclusion (in annex), which includes proposals for technology transfer and cooperation in specific areas.
9. Welcome with satisfaction the work performed under the European Commission’s @LIS (ALliance for the Information Society) cooperation programme between the European Union and Latin America, emphasising its importance and impact.
10. Welcome with satisfaction the launch of the first pan-Latin American research and education network, CLARA (Latin American Cooperation for Advanced Networks),  and its interconnection with the pan-European network GÉANT – as one of the most relevant outcomes of the @LIS programme.  Support the objective of the expansion of network coverage to the whole region. Trust in the potential of the CLARA Network as a platform for multiple cooperation initiatives on education and research and development in areas of common interest for both regions and emphasise the importance of their future sustainability.
11. Underline the importance of the development of appropriate policies and regulatory frameworks and of a favourable environment for the use of ICTs for the economic, cultural and social development of both regions.  Welcome the work already undertaken and encourage the further improvement of these policies and frameworks, in cooperation with other countries, in line with the WSIS recommendations.
12. Note with satisfaction the launching of the European Commission project entitled “Policy and Regulatory Dialogue” – initiative in the context of the @LIS programme, which is led by ECLAC, United Nations, in support of a bi-regional dialogue on the Information Society. This dialogue is inspired by the results of “eEurope – An Information Society for All”, the EU strategy for the development of the Information Society, and of the respective e-strategies of Latin American and Caribbean countries. Trust that that the project will serve as a basis for bi-regional dialogue and cooperation on policy and regulatory frameworks.
13. Note in this context the agreements reached during the III Summit of Presidents of Latin American (REGULATEL) and European Telecommunication Regulators, held on 18-19 November 2004 in Cusco, Peru.
14. Insist on the importance of the development of open international standards, which in the framework of technological neutrality, would permit equal access to open source, free and proprietary software. In this context, value the efforts to develop projects and practices that use free and open source software. This framework would provide for the promotion and production of technologies and content serving the public interest at all levels, keeping a high degree of interoperability of systems, in order to broaden economies of scale in the public domain, for the benefit, especially, of developing countries. Note with interest the development of the dialogue on standards between public and private entities in both regions. Support the objectives of this dialogue in all aspects linked to infrastructures, services, applications, security and interoperability.
15. Recognise that some countries in both regions have already developed technical platforms and public services for e-government of high quality, relying on their own capabilities and human resources. Given that these consist of public applications, there is a significant potential for joint initiatives that are mutually beneficial. In this sense, both regions will explore cooperation opportunities on e-government, which include the transfer of technologies, platforms and services, as well as the exchange of knowledge and capabilities.
16. Emphasise the importance of the issues related to Internet governance, a subject which becomes more important with the expansion of Internet and its implications for areas of both public and private interest. In conformity with the decision taken during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, held in Geneva in December 2003, express their support to the working group established by the United Nations Secretary-General to study this subject and prepare the report to be submitted the preparatory process of the second phase of the Summit, foreseen for Tunis, November 2005. Trust that the deepening of the subject will provide for a balanced and consensual agreement establishing parameters for a multilateral, transparent and democratic management of the Internet, with full involvement of governments, civil society, private sector and relevant international organisations. Agree with the need to ensure the stability and growth potential of the Internet. 
17. Support the dialogue, exchange of experiences and development of joint initiatives aimed at the security of networks and at information privacy, having as a basis the recognition of the sovereignty of States and the respect of personal rights and freedoms. Such cooperation should seek an international consensus around these questions, facilitating the access to the benefits of the Internet by those still excluded from the world’s digital communications network.
18. Commit to collaborate, in coordination with international and regional organisations, such as ECLAC, European Commission, UNESCO and ITU for the success of the second phase of the WSIS in November 2005, working towards an international agenda for the Information Society that will take into account the aspirations and priorities of developing countries.
19. Thank the Brazilian Government and the Government of the Rio de Janeiro State for their hospitality and support, which made possible the realization of this III Latin America and Caribbean – European Union Ministerial Information Society Forum.