In this area, various Resolutions were passed, specifically:
- A new Resolution on the number of seats in the Council, which while recognising that the conditions are in place that make it possible to increase this number, considers that the way in which the Council seats are distributed between the different Regions needs clarification and that the way the Regions are currently divided will also eventually need review [PLEN/1];
- The revision of the Resolution on the status of Palestine in the ITU, maintaining Palestine's status in general terms (equivalent to Palestine?s status in the United Nations), but altering its status in as far as that Palestinian companies and operators or associates may apply for the status of Sector Member (however limited in some details);
- The revision of Resolution 68 on the commemoration of World Telecommunication Day, so as to refer to the joint commemoration of World Telecommunication Day and Information Society Day.
- The revision of Resolution 122 on the role of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, considerably strengthening the remit of the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG), especially, in the coordination of groups set up between the WTSAs, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the work of the ITU-T. This Resolution further calls for the creation of a seminar on a world-wide scale on Standardization, to take place one day before the WTSA;
- The revision of Resolution 11 on TELECOM exhibitions, aiming in particular to make decisions on the organization of these events more transparent;
- The revision of Resolution 77 on the schedule of conferences and assemblies to be held between 2007 and 2011; and
- The revision of Resolution 119 - Methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Radio Regulations Board - with the aim, above all, of increasing the transparency of this body.
In addition, approval was given to the work produced by the group of the Council in charge of reviewing and clarifying the provisions of the Constitution, Convention and general rules where they apply to the status of ITU observers. This work, which was concluded successfully, was requested by the Conference of Marrakech (PP-02). Besides the amendments mentioned, it has also led to the approval of an additional Resolution that clearly sets out the different types of observers recognized by the ITU.
Provisions CS90 and CS91 of the Constitution were amended, increasing the interval between Radiocommunication Conferences and Radiocommunications Assemblies from every two to three years to every three years to four years.
Provisions CV13 and CV20 of the Convention were also amended, to clarify that the members of the RRB as well as the elected staff may not be re-elected more than once to any given post, irrespective of whether or not the elections are held consecutively.
Provision GR172 of the general rules was amended to allow elections to be begun on the fourth day of the meeting. This amendment already applied to the electoral process of the PP-06.
In the case of the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG), the proposal of the United States of America to amend the provisions governing the functioning of this group was not accepted in face of European opposition. If the alteration had been approved, the TSAG would only be able to act through the Sector Director (ITU-T). An identical proposal was, however, approved in the case of the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG), as set out in CV 215C, bringing the function of this group directly into line with that of the Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R/RAG).
The revision of Resolution 86 was also analysed - Advance publication, coordination, notification and recording procedures for frequency assignments pertaining to satellite networks and systems- having been determined that, in the lack of consensus, this Resolution would not be amended. It was also determined to include an entry in the minutes of the Plenary stipulating that the next World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-07) shall report to PP-10 on this Resolution. The WRC-07 will, in particular, have to inform the PP whether or not it considers that the Resolution should be suppressed at the next PP. For Europe and the APT this Resolution is justified by the need, within the scope of the WRC, to systematically review and to improve the provisions of the Radiocommunications Regulation (RR) with respect to satellite networks and systems. On the other hand, for the Arab and African groups, this Resolution permits various proposals to be presented in the WRC that, they consider, should not be subsequently considered by successive WRCs. Accordingly, these two groups called for the Resolution to be suppressed or, at least, to be limited in its scope.
