The regional organizations (APT,
ATU,
Arab Group,
CEPT, CITEL,
RCC will hold preparatory meetings
for WTSA-08 between May and September 2008 with the aim to coordinate regional views on issues considered
to be of particular relevance to the each region, and develop common regional proposals for submission to WTSA-08.
Participation in these meetings will be in accordance with the internal procedures of each regional organisation.
In addition, ITU will organise in cooperation with CITEL and ATU, regional preparatory meetings for the
Americas and Africa respectively. Participation in these meetings will be restricted to ITU Member States
and Sector Members belonging to the region, and representatives of other regional organisations.
To assist with these preparations, in association with one regional preparatory meeting in each region
ITU will hold a Regional Development Forum on bridging the standardization gap between developed and
developing countries. The Forums are aimed at encouraging greater understanding of, and participation in,
the work of ITU-T. They will explain the status of the current hot topics under discussion in ITU-T, and how
to become involved in ITU-T activities in order to champion the interests of each region in the development
of international ICT standards.
The Forums are intended for executives from Administrations, National Regulatory Bodies, Telecommunication
Operators, Manufacturer and Service Providers in the regions, who need to be familiar with the future
challenges ITU is facing and, therefore, be able to draw up strategies to achieve greater participation
in ITU activities, in particular ITU-T and ITU-D Study Groups activities. Additionally, they will highlight
ways and means to enhance cooperation and participation in ITU’s standardization work and standards
implementation in the regions. Standards are an essential tool in bridging the digital divide and bring
vital aid to developing countries in building their infrastructure and encouraging economic development.
Taking part in the standardization process for new technologies will accelerate the deployment
of new networks and services bringing connectivity to cities and towns as well as remote areas. With
next generation networks (NGN) for example, standards work is lowering the capital cost of deployment
in the network core. Operating costs in NGN are also significantly lower than in circuit switched
technologies enabling a more rapid expansion of network capabilities. NGN offers the opportunity
for developing countries to jump several generations of technology, and ITU as well as taking into
account the needs of these countries in producing its standards will seek to provide assistance in implementing them.
Meetings details:
ITURegional Development Forum 2008: “Bridging the ICT Standardization Gap in Developing Countries” for the Americas Region, 19 – 20 May 2008
The ITU Americas region WTSA-08 Preparatory Meeting, 21 – 22 May 2008
