Media Release on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and the COMNET Foundation for ICT Development.
The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the COMNET Foundation for ICT Development (COMNET) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalise collaboration between the two agencies, with particular emphasis on cyber-security and cybercrime prevention activities.
The MOU was signed today, 30 May 2012, at the 10th Ministerial Seminar in Doral, Florida organized by the CTU. The MOU, which is effective for 3 years includes agreement to explore opportunities in areas of mutual interest. This includes capacity building programmes for practitioners, identifying funding possibilities for mutually beneficial joint projects and raising awareness on the imperative of harmonization of law through the adoption of global model law standards amongst the various jurisdictions. The agreement also provides for the promotion of each organisation’s programmes of work at various events, conferences, and other venues and public speaking engagements around the world.
CTU Secretary General, Bernadette Lewis (left), and COMNET Foundation Chairman, Joseph V. Tabone, signing the MoU
The CTU is the Caribbean intergovernmental organisation dedicated to facilitating the development of the regional information and communications (ICT) sector. CTU promotes functional regional integration and social and economic development, through the effective use of ICT and the organization is at the forefront of harmonisation of policies, procedures, processes for the ICT sector in the Caribbean. Cyber security is one of 5 strategic areas the CTU is addressing under its Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework.
COMNET, through an initiative known as Commonwealth Connects, assists its developing member states in building their institutional, legislative and regulatory capacity through technology and knowledge transfer. This assistance is offered in areas such as e-Government, telecommunication regulation, cyber-security and cybercrime – activities having a bearing on national, social and economic development.
CTU Secretary General, Bernadette Lewis (left), and COMNET Foundation Chairman, Joseph V. Tabone
Bernadette Lewis, Secretary General of the CTU believes that this MOU will go a long way in advancing the region’s ability to deal with the issue of cyber security in a more strategic and comprehensive manner. “We are pleased to partner with COMNET in this critical area and our intention is to move forward as quickly as possible on some very concrete initiatives that will provide real benefits to our 20 member countries”, she said. Joseph Tabone, Chairman of COMNET also suggested that “CTU can contribute in a major way to the broad partnership of the Commonwealth cybercrime Initiative in building the necessary capacity to better equip the region to combat cybercrime”.
The agreement is effective for a 3 year period.
Images and logos courtesy of the CTU.
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