Copenhagen hosted last 21-25 May a meeting of the ITU Policy Committee (Com-ITU) in charge of European co-ordination with a view to participating in activities of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). At this meeting Portugal chaired the drafting group set up by Com-ITU to prepare for the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) scheduled for 3-14 December 2012 in Dubai. Note that the conference is expected to revise the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR), an international treaty whose current text was approved in 1988.
This group focused on developing European common positions (ECPs) to submit to WCIT-12. To that end, it drew up a new ECP on conflict resolution, as well as on charging for international telecommunication services. The group also reviewed a number of previously agreed proposals, particularly concerning international roaming, cyber-security and improper number use, and agreed on the text of two contributions to submit to the Council working group preparing for WCIT-12, whose next meeting will be held in Geneva on 20-22 June.
Regarding preparations for the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-12), which will also be held in Dubai, this 20-29 November, the respective drafting group continued discussion about the chairs and vice-chairs of study groups in the ITU Telecommunications Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). Member states were informed that they should submit potential candidacies at the next Com-ITU meeting. Also, regarding reorganisation of the study groups, the group agreed that an ECP should be finalised at the next meeting.
With respect to preparation of the Council working group on Stabilisation of the ITU Constitution, Com-ITU considered a document meant to identify which ITU Constitution provisions should be shifted to other ITU texts.
Com-ITU also examined some documents already submitted for debate at the next ITU Council session (in 2012).
Note that Com-ITU chairman Anders Jonsson of Sweden reminded participants that a new chairperson must be elected/nominated at the next Committee meeting. This subject was discussed at the previous meeting, but since no candidates have been put forward it will have to be considered again.
