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The East African Communications Organization (EACO) is an
inter- governmental organization established by ICT
regulators and operators from the East African Community.
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The main objective of EACO is to harmonize policy and
regulatory frameworks in the region; promote the
development of broadcasting, postal and
telecommunications/ICT services and regulatory matters; and
devise ways and means to achieve fast, reliable, secure,
affordable and efficient communications services within the
region.
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EACO member countries include; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi
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The organization is headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda.
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EACO has several (11) working Groups
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WG 10 specifically handles environment and e
waste management.
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The Regional Steering committee Members are
drawn from the 5 East African Countries,
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Each country has a National Steering Committee
that assists in the implementation of the Action
Plan
1.
To analyze the level of e-waste in the region and
its impact on human and the environment.
2.
To harmonize policies, strategies and regulations
on e-waste management in the region.
3.
To recommend adoption of green ICT best
practices by stakeholders in the communications
sector.
4.
To recommend national and regional
environmentally sound e-waste management
systems for the EAC region.
5. To develop strategies for public awareness on issues
relating to e-waste.
6. To recommend strategies for collaboration/cooperation
between National ICT Regulators, National
Environmental Management Authorities and other
environmental management Agencies with a view to
establishing and strengthening the e-waste management
systems within the region.
7. To coordinate and follow up the work of the relevant ITU
Study Group(s) and facilitate the development of
regional recommendations or contributions relating to
the work of this ITU Study Group(s) and/or other relevant
international and regional organization.
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Update and Compile member states status on e-waste
management
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To study and identify international best practices on green ICTs
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To participate in ITU-T SG 5 and ITU D SG 1 & 2 activities
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In collaboration with HR committee enhance capacity building
on Green ICT and e – waste management
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To participate in ATU and other regional organizations and
submit relevant recommendations to the group
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To consult stakeholders through workshops and other forum on
e-waste management situation in the region
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To develop strategy for dissemination of information on
environment and e-waste management through media
An update of the status of e-waste and its
management with respect to statistics,
quantities/volumes, initiatives, policies and
regulations in their respective countries was
done.
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It was established that the region has no
reliable and comprehensive data on e-waste
management
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The WG has developed a concept paper on ICTs, Sustainability and
Green economy. The concept paper provides an insight on what the
working group considers as activities in relation to Green ICT.
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This concept paper was adopted in the 21st Assembly of Regulators, in
June 2014, Arusha, Tanzania.
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Consequently the WG has developed a draft zero information paper on
guidance on greening the EACO member organizations.
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This information paper provides guidance of how the ICT
industry/sector in the East African Region can green their organizations
services, operations and products; with priority beginning with the
EACO members (organisations/administrations).
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This is still work in progress and will be shared later.
Members of WG10 to continuously and actively
participate and make contributions in International fora
where environmental and e-waste management issues
are discussed.
EACO Secretariat co-ordinates and facilitates the WG
contributions in such forums.
WG members participate in various meetings
including: ITU-T SG 5 & ITU D 1&2
Key Issue
Status
Policy, legal and Regulatory
framework
Work in progress in all the East African
countries
Public Awareness and
Consumer Education
EACO is leading in Awareness creation by
organizing workshops in EA countries. So
far in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda planning for
Tanzania in March 2016,
Regional and National Steering committees
to be inaugurated December 2015
Research & Statistics
Project proposal to carry out studies /
survey in the 5 EA countries has been
drafted.
E-waste management
systems/mechanisms
Training to equip members with skills and
knowledge on e waste management has
been scheduled for march 2016
Strengthening PublicPrivate and Consumer
Partnership
EACO sponsors rotational stakeholders
meeting to discuss e waste management
issues
Resource Mobilisation
(Human, Financial and
infrastructure)
WG has drafted the proposal