In recognition of the revolution that has taken place in the telecommunications industry in the country, Nigeria was chosen by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to host the Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) for the African region. This meeting, which will hold in Abuja at the Congress Hall of the Nicon Hilton Hotel from the 5^th-7^thJuly 2005, will precede the World Telecommunications Development Conference (WTDC) scheduled for the 7^th-15^th March 2006 in Doha, Qatar.

At the Africa Regional Preparatory meeting, African Union members are expected to harmonize their positions on telecommunications development strategies and initiatives for presentations at the Qatar WTDC in 2006. Delegates to the ARP Meeting will include:

•  Administrations of each AU member state
   

• Regulators
   

• Interested sector members
   

• Inter governmental organizations (IGO’s)
   

• Regional Organizations (e.g. TRASA, WATRA, etc.)
   

• Observers, including the United Nations specialized agencies
   

• Development partners (e.g. ADB, USAID, DFID etc.)

Developmental needs and priorities of the region will be reviewed by key ICT stakeholders in Africa. Issues that will facilitate rapid ICT development including ITU-ATU assistance to NEPAD will be addressed. Topics and issues identified by the Africa region will form part of the WTDC agenda, with the aim of incorporating those priorities into the action plan of the ITU’s Bureau for Telecommunications Development from 2007 – 2010.

Workshops on ICT for:

•  Youths
   

• Women
   

• Private/ Public partnerships and
   

• Civil society organizations

will be held from 1^st – 3^rd July 2005

An exhibition will hold from the 1^st – 7^th July 2005.

A local organizing committee headed by The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is coordinating the ARP 2005 meeting in Nigeria.