Information and Communication Technology
Information society and new communication technologies (ICT) will be a hot topic during the Belgian Presidency of the EU until December 2010. ICT’s diverse nature means actions in this area will influence not only the information society but also research and innovation, health, climate action and Europe’s economic recovery.
The Belgian presidency’s main driver in ICT will be the fulfilment and implementation of the European 2020 strategy and ensuring the “reinforcement of Europe’s technological strength, the stimulation of ICT innovation across all business sectors” and its importance to “greening the economy”.
Other key priorities for the Belgian presidency will be increasing Europe’s competitiveness in emerging and technologically advanced markets, creating new jobs through ICT, and improving support for ICT research throughout Europe.
Overall, the promotion of a new information society strategy for 2010-2015 (i2010), internet security, protection of intellectual property and the European Action Plan for eGovernment (creation of a new European Interoperability Framework) will be at the centre of both the Belgian presidency and the European Commission’s attention over the next six months.
Although the results of the EU’s review of the radio spectrum will not be available before the end of 2012, the Belgian presidency will also devote some attention to the renewal parameters of the European Network and Information Security Agency.
The Belgian presidency will continue supporting the Digital Agenda, in particular the creation of a fully functioning digital single market to benefit European business and consumers.
ICT affects areas like e-Health, energy efficiency, intellectual property, the growth of SMEs and the protection of the internal markets (patents, innovation). Thus, ICT is a fundamental part of the EU 2020 Strategy for the European Union, and the Belgian presidency will treat it accordingly.
Key Dates
- Informal Council Competitive, Research and Industry (14-16 July 2010)
- INCLUSO Conference, Leuven (13-14 September 2010)
- Privacy and Security in the Future Internet, Greece, (13-17 September 2010)
- ICT 2010: Digitally Driven, Brussels, (27-29 September 2010) (Organised by Belgian Presidency)
- COST-ESF High-Level Research Conference on Future Internet and Society: A Complex Systems Perspective, Brussels (2-7 October 2010)
- MedTech Forum, Brussels (12-14 October 2010)
- eChallenges e-2010 Conference, Warsaw (27-29 October)
- e-Infrastructure - Digitalization of Europe Cultural Heritage (29 October 2010)
- UPU Strategic Conference, Nairobi (21 to 25 September 2010)