Cars

Couv - Standards Work on the Web-E.indd 1 13.01.2009 12:20:58 Participants in the regional workshop in Accra, Ghana, kick-start the consultation process for the ISO Action Plan for developing countries 2011-2015. ards bodies (NSBs) in their development efforts. Four more regional events will take place in 2010. The draft Action Plan, based on feedback from the workshops as well as ideas from the strategic plan con- sultations, will be presented at the next meeting of the ISO Committee on developing country matters (ISO/ DEVCO) in Oslo, Norway, in September 2010. Additional developments took place in the area of sup- port of developing countries. Among these was the publication of the manual, Standards work on the Web : the ISO solutions. The new manual provides informa- tion, procedures and guidance to ensure that national standards institutes are properly equipped and trained to make the most of information and communication technology (ICT ) support for standardization activities, and for contacts and relations within ISO's worldwide system. 2009 also saw a significant volume of technical assist- ance activities compared to 2008. This was due to additional funding provided by two donors and more human resources put in place at the ISO Central Sec- retariat. During the year, ISO's technical assistance to developing countries included 65 events with a total of 2 200 participants. In addition, 22 training services events were held for developed and developing coun- tries with 270 participants. A total of 648 participants were sponsored by ISO to attend both types of events. Developing countries Also launched in 2009 was the first in a series of regional consultation events to give ISO members in developing countries – who comprise 122 out of ISO's total mem- bership of 162 – the opportunity to participate actively in the formulation of the ISO Action Plan for developing countries 2011-2015. A workshop held in Accra, Ghana, enabled ISO mem- bers in Africa to voice their needs and requirements in standardization and related matters, and to exchange with ISO in a open and informal environment on how ISO can best contribute to supporting national stand- 6 Annual Report 2009

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