Resolution 31 (Istanbul, 2002)

Regional preparations for world telecommunication development conferences

The world Telecommunication Developement conference

considering

1. that many regional telecommunication organizations have coordinated their preparations for this conference;
2. that many common proposals have been submitted to this conference from administrations participating in the preparations of regional telecommunication organizations;
3. that this consolidation of views at regional level, together with the opportunity for interregional discussions prior to the conference, has eased the task of reaching a consensus during the conference;
4. that the burden of preparation for future conferences is likely to increase;
5. that there is consequently great benefit to the Member States of coordination of preparations at regional level;
6. that the success of future conferences will depend on greater efficiency of regional coordination and interaction at interregional level prior to such conferences;
7. that some regional organizations lack the necessary resources to adequately organize and to participate in such preparations;
8. that there is a need for overall coordination of the interregional consultations.

recognizing

the benefits of regional coordination as already experienced in the preparation of world radiocommunication conferences,

recognizing further

Recommendation 20 of the Working Group on ITU Reform recommending that the Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, 2002) should adopt a resolution on the importance of interregional consultative meetings instructing the Secretary-General to organize such meetings,

taking into account

a)      the benefits that a World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) could gain in efficiency from an increased amount and level of preparation of the Member States prior to the conference;

b)      Resolution 103 (Minneapolis, 1998) on the gradual lifting of interim limitations on the use of official and working languages of the Union,

noting

a)      that many regional telecommunication organizations have expressed the need for the Union to cooperate more closely with regional telecommunication organizations;

b)      that, consequently, the Plenipotentiary Conference (Minneapolis, 1998) resolved that the Union should develop stronger relations with regional telecommunication organizations,

further noting

that relations between ITU regional offices and regional telecommunication organizations have proved to be of great benefit,

resolves to instruct the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)

to organize, within the financial limitations established by the Plenipotentiary Conference, one regional preparatory meeting per region, the closest in time possible to the next WTDC, followed by an informal meeting of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the regional preparatory meetings and other interested parties to be held not earlier than six months to WTDC,

requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with the Director of BDT

1      to consult with Member States and regional and subregional telecommunication organizations on the means by which assistance can be provided in support of their preparations for future WTDCs;

2      to, on the basis of such consultations, assist Member States and regional and subregional telecommunication organizations in such areas as:

i)      organization of informal and formal regional and interregional preparatory meetings;
ii)     organization of information sessions;
iii)    development of coordination methods;
iv)    identification of major issues to be resolved by the future WTDC;

3      to submit to the next WTDC a report on the application of this resolution,

invites Member States

to participate actively in the implementation of this resolution.