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Given its holistic framework and multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral approach, the Digital Opportunity Initiative should be the basis for the UNDP Corporate framework for interventions in ICT for Development, with an emphasis on deploying ICT to enhance the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

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Since ICT for Development is one of UNDP’s six practice areas, there should be mechanisms for reporting the outcomes of this practice area; we recommend that UNDP HQ review the ways in which ICT for Development is presently reported (SRF/ROAR), and provide Country Offices with ways to elaborate on ICT for Development outcomes and outputs, and how and where to include ICT for Development under other thematic practice areas.

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Synergies between regional programmes (APDIP, SURF, and RIM) should focus on sharing resources and information to optimize effectiveness and prevent redundancies. The result would be a more integrated and cohesive support system for ICT for Development at the Country Office level.

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Given that ICT for Development is an official practice area for UNDP, the workshop recommends that all ICT focal points/programme officers in Country Officers be placed in Programme Units, as opposed to Programme Support or Operations Units to strengthen the inter-linkages and synergies between the different programme areas and to facilitate the development of ICT4D as an effective and critical practice.

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With respect to the ICT programme officer position in Country Offices, the workshop recommends that common Terms of Reference, toolkits, including guidelines for programmatic work, be developed for all ICT programme officers/ focal points.

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The workshop recommends that Country Offices establish a cross-sectoral ICT Task Force, similar to what has be established in UNDP Bangladesh, with an aim to mainstream ICT for Development into UNDP Country Office programming; such a task force should be created by senior management;

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UNDP HQ should provide a short information kit for Resident Representatives to raise their awareness on ICT for Development and to assist with strategic programming for ICT for Development.

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To assist UNDP Country Offices in more effectively taking on the role of donor coordination and resource mobilization in ICT for Development, the workshop recommends that UNDP HQ, through BDP and RBAP, share clear communications with the donor community at the regional level on what UNDP Country Offices are undertaking to identify gaps and possible areas for collaboration.

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UNDP HQ should review the processes involved in the ICT Thematic Trust Fund, from the application to the selection process, given the experiences from the first two tranches, to improve the management of expectations through the provision of appropriate, accurate, and transparent information;

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Given the importance of ICT for Development, the potential of Open Source to enhance access and deployment of ICT while respecting intellectual property rights, the participants felt that UNDP needs to take a public policy stand on endorsing Open Source software, where feasible, at all levels to meet both its development objectives as well as to support its own internal operations on a cost effective basis;

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It is recommended that the ICT for Development Programme Officers/Focal Points Workshop be organized as an annual event; meanwhile, it is recommended that the mailing list (pow@apdip.net) that was used to facilitate e-discussions among organizers, participants, and resource persons, be maintained to further the dialogue and strengthened the established network of ICT4D focal points and regional programmes. It was recommended that APDIP organize the next possible workshop;