G-7 Information Society Conference - Fact Sheet


When:     February 25-26, 1995

Where:    Brussels, Belgium

Host:          European Union, chaired by President Jacques
               Santer 

Who Attends: Each G-7 Country and the European Union will
send Ministers  responsible for telecommunications and
information matters.  The conference will include a session
with private sector representatives, both users and
producers of telecommunications and information equipment
and services from each of the Member states participating in
the G-7 conference.  

The U.S. Delegation will be led by Secretary of Commerce
Ronald H. Brown.  Vice President Gore will deliver the
keynote address at the February 25 luncheon.

Agenda:   

February 24

     Friday Evening - A welcoming dinner hosted by the
     European Commission (by invitation only).  Speaking
     will be President Santer and European Parliament
     President H nsch.  Venue: Conrad Hilton.
     
February 25

     Saturday Morning -  Some 40 to 50 private sector
     representatives from the G-7 and EU will discuss issues
     regarding the Information Society.  Ministers will be
     present.  The media will be able to observe from a
     video and audio feed in the Espace L opold, the
     European Parliament building.  Business leaders will
     discuss the same themes and issues which will be
     addressed by the ministers beginning in the afternoon
     session.  

     Each theme will be introduced by three or four private
     sector panelists, followed by a discussion moderated by
     the Chair, M. Jacques Delors.  Venue: Palais d'Egmont.

     Saturday Afternoon - Luncheon hosted by European
     Commission with ministers, Business Round Table
     participants, and other private sector representatives
     with keynote speech given by Vice President Gore. 
     Venue: Hilton Hotel.






     Saturday Afternoon - Opening remarks by the European
     Commission President Jacques Santer.  The ministers
     will discuss Theme 1: Regulatory Framework and
     Competition Policy, chaired by Minister Rexrodt. Venue:      
     Palais d'Egmont.

     Tentative agenda included issues pertaining to:

          o   liberalization of information and communications    
              equipment, services and infrastructure;
          o   market access issues; 
          o   adequate competition policy;
          o   frequency allocations; and
          o   international cooperation between competition       
              authorities and regulators.

February 26

     Sunday Morning - The ministerial discussion of Theme 2:      
     Development of the Information Infrastructure and the
     Provision of Access to It and Applications, chaired by     
     Minister Rossi. Venue: Palais d'Egmont.

     Tentative agenda issues include:

          o    interconnection, interoperability, and
               standards;
               universal service;
               telecommunications tariffs;
          o    protection of privacy and personal data;          
          o    reliability, security, and confidentiality;        
          o    intellectual and industrial property rights;       
          o    applications; and
          o    possible joint projects.

     Sunday Afternoon - Discussion of Theme 3: Social,
     Societal and Cultural Aspects, chaired by Commissioner       
     Bangemann. Venue: Palais d'Egmont.

     Tentative agenda include issues pertaining to social,
     societal and cultural impact and people's involvement.

     Sunday Afternoon - Press Conference. Venue: Espace
     L opold.

Exhibit: The Technology Exhibition will take place during
the conference from the evening of February 24 through
February 26 at the New European Parliament Building to
showcase the benefits and capabilities of the technology.
.