Within the framework of activities aimed at preparing WSIS Second Phase, the Group of Friends of the Chair of the PrepCom of the Tunis Phase (GFC) was created in accordance with the decision of PrepCom-1, and following discussion within the WSIS Bureau, in order to prepare a document to serve as a basis for negotiations in PrepCom-2.

The membership of the Group comprised representatives from six governments from each region, plus five regional coordinators and the two host countries. The secretary-general of the ITU and a representative of the secretary-general of the UN participated as ex-officio members of the group. Non-member governments participated as observers.

The Group held 6 meeting days between 22 October 2004 and 11 January 2005. Some 2.5 days of the meetings were held as “special sessions” with participation open to all stakeholders. In addition, members of the Group took part in consultations to discuss the work of the Task Force on Financial Mechanisms (TFFM), on 16 November 2004 (am) and in the week beginning 7 February 2005.

The Group worked on the assumption that the outcome of the Tunis phase would be one document in two parts: Political Chapeau (Tunis Commitment) and Operational Part (Tunis Agenda for Action).

The Group developed drafts on the basis of contributions from all stakeholders, as well as discussions during the meetings. Contributions to the work of the Group and drafts of the rolling texts are available on the Group’s website at www.itu.int/wsis/gfc.

The Executive Secretariat invites written contributions from all stakeholders to the latest versions of the Political Chapeau and Operational Part. All received contributions will be published on WSIS website. Contributions should be sent by email to: wsis-contributions@itu.int.

A Russian delegation coordinated by the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications will participate in PrepCom-2. General Director of the Institute of the Information Society Tatiana Ershova has been invited to join the delegation as a representative of the civil society sector.