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Annex III to BS/WG/ICT/R(2024)1

 

PLAN OF ACTION
OF THE BSEC WORKING GROUP
ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

1 January 2024 until 31 December 2025

Country-Coordinator: Republic of Armenia

 

  1. GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

Here are presented main objectives, priority areas and activities for cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) among the BSEC Member States for the period 2024-2026. In its plan of actions the Working Group will be guided the provisions of the BSEC Charter, the Istanbul Summit Declaration on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the BSEC Economic Agenda, the Resolutions, Decisions and Recommendations adopted by the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, decisions of the Ministers in charge for ICT of the BSEC Member States.

Proper attention will be given to the facilitation for the implementation of ten frameworks of actions under Goal 12 of the BSEC Economic Agenda "Sustainable information society with advanced Information and Communication Technology infrastructure" taking into account rapid development trends in ICT sector and the fact that the updated BSEC Economic Agenda was adopted in December 15, 2023:

  1. Developing joint projects for improvement and growth of Information and Communication Technologies tools and applications.
  2. Considering joint measures to provide a safer cyber-space in the BSEC Region and exchanging experiences and best practices on combating use of ICT for criminal purposes.
  3. Encouraging connection of the BSEC Region’s telecommunication infrastructure to the TransEuropean telecommunications networks.
  4. Supporting efforts by the BSEC Member States to establish and develop relevant Information and Communication Technologies infrastructure with a view to addressing regional connectivity challenges and promoting viable projects in this sector having regional impact.
  5. Encouraging cooperation among the BSEC Member States and with the relevant international organizations with regard to developing communication technologies in the postal service and introducing advanced postal processing, modernization and automation of procedures.
  6. Encouraging establishment of companies in the BSEC Member States with the view to creating high added value and providing complex engineering solutions and services, local IT products competitive in international markets.
  7. Encouraging the private sector in developing the use of Information and Communications Technologies in the BSEC Member States by promoting investments in new technologies and networking, where possible.
  8. Promoting cooperation among the Information and Communication Technology companies, techno parks and incubators of the BSEC Member States.
  9. Considering opportunities for the strategic development and interaction of infrastructure networks, either fixed, mobile or satellite in the wider Black Sea area, in the framework of global telecommunications.
  10. Enhancing cooperation on new trends in the information technology sector such as digital transformation, 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data, quantum computing, i-Cloud, e-Government.

 

The Working Group will continue to encourage, facilitate and support the training seminars and conferences for the exchange of the experiences and best practices in the ICT sector among experts of the BSEC Member States, other countries and international organizations.

Working Group on ICT will work on the following priority areas during the period 2024-2025:

  • Exchange of ideas, experience and discussions on developing joint projects on new trends in ICT sector, such as digital transformation, digital public infrastructure, biometric technologies, blockchain, big data, open data, quantum computing, e-government, robotics etc.;
  • Sharing experience and cooperation on cloud technologies, government clouds;
  • Cooperation on ICT innovation and start-ups, establishment of BSEC Innovation Cooperation Network (ICT);
  • Discussing and developing joint projects on mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates between member states, where feasible;
  • Joint cooperation between member states in Mobile Devices Registration System (MDRS);
  • Expansion of cooperation between Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), including through workshops and seminars for the experts from the BSEC member states.
  • Promote collaboration among BSEC member-states in the field of artificial intelligence with a focus on ethical, transparent, and inclusive innovation, application. Facilitate the exchange of insights, best practices, and research outcomes, fostering joint initiatives to address common challenges related to fairness, accountability, and responsible AI deployment. By working collectively, BSEC member-states aim to ensure that AI technologies positively impact their societies, economies, and environments, while upholding shared ethical principles and respecting diverse perspectives within the regional context.

 

 

  1. LIST OF ACTIVITES AND JOINT MEETINGS:
  2. MINISTERIAL MEETINGS AND HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCES:

Meeting of ICT Ministers of the BSEC Member States (TBD)

 

  1. MEETINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP:

1st Meeting - autumn 2024 HQ (TBD);

2nd Meeting - autumn 2025 HQ (TBD).

 

  1. RELEVANT EVENTS:

(Seminars, workshops, symposia, conferences)

World Congress on Information Technology 2024 (TBD), Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

 

  1. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BSEC BODIES:
  2. a) Other Working Groups:

The Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies will cooperate with the Working Group on Science and Technology and the Working Group on Institutional Renewal and Good Governance.

  1. b) Related Bodies:

PABSEC

BSEC Business Council

ICBSS

BSTDB

 

  1. COOPERATION WITH BSEC OBSERVERS AND PARTNERS:

The Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies will cooperate with BSEC Observer Countries and Sectoral Dialogue Partners in order to achieve objectives set in the Plan of Action.

The Working Group will continue cooperation within the Korea-BSEC ICT Cooperation Program.

 

  1. COOPERATION WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

The Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies will collaborate with international organizations, such as United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank (WB), European Commission, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and other international organizations and financial institutions.

 

III. RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTION:

Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia

Contact person:                      Mr. Karen SIMONYAN

           Head, International Cooperation Department,

           Tel: + 374 10 590096

Email: karen.simonyan@hti.am

eliz.gevorgyan@hti.am

viktorya.hovakimyan@hti.am