The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) and the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union are jointly organizing a forum on bridging the standardization gap between developed and developing countries and on deployment of Next Generation Networks in developing countries. This joint activity is being carried out to implement PP-06 Resolutions 123 and 137 respectively.

Telecommunication standardization continues to evolve and grow in importance as a result of the challenge of interconnecting increasing numbers of operators providing multiple services using a variety of technologies over competing networks, using equipment from a proliferation of equipment manufacturers. Recently, the emergence of new technologies and technological convergence among information and communication technologies (ICTs) have created major standardization challenges for all stakeholders, particularly in fields such as Next Generation Networks (NGN), multimedia, Voice over IP (VoIP) and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Furthermore, the standardization implications of these new ‘disruptive technologies’ for regulation and for technical developmental issues must also be taken into account.

The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is the pre-eminent body for globally accepted standards for information and communication technology (ICT). In recent years we have witnessed ever greater cooperation with forums and other Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and ITU-T has taken a lead role in coordination throughout the standards world. As an international standards body, ITU-T is able to provide global applicability for standards by taking on the responsibility of referencing work that is taking place across all the different SDOs. An increasing spirit of cooperation has allowed standards development to keep pace with what the industry requires.

In addition to PP-06 Resolutions 123 and 137 (Antalya, 2006), this Forum will also address relevant Resolutions from WTDC-06 (Doha, 2006) and WTSA-04 Resolutions 44 (Florianopolis, 2004) “Bridging the standardization gap between developing and developed countries”) and 54 (Florianopolis, 2004). The Forum is aimed at encouraging greater understanding of, and participation in, the work of ITU-T. This forum will explain how to become involved in ITU-T activities in order to champion the interests of African countries in the development of international ICT standards.

The three day event will take place from 2-4 October 2007 in Kigali, Rwanda, hosted by the Rwandan government, and is aimed at network operators, service providers, equipment manufacturers, policy-makers and regulators and national administrations. The meeting is open to participation all interested parties in addition to ITU Member States, Sector Members and Associates.