CEPT's ITU Policy Committee (Com-ITU) met last 16-18 April in the Czech capital Prague. This committee, chaired by Marcin Krasuski of Poland, is responsible for coordinating European participation in ITU activities.
The meeting served to continue preparations for two major ITU events in 2014, the Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, South Korea, from 20 October to 7 November, and the World Telecommunications Development Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 31 March to 11 April.
Portugal presented the revised report on the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12). This was clearly still a very controversial topic and it was not possible to agree on a final version of the report, which will therefore only be completed at the next Com-ITU meeting.
Com-ITU also focused on preparing for the World Telecommunications Policy Forum (WTPF-13) and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS Forum 2013), to be held this May.
Another relevant issue was the participation of observers in Com-ITU meetings. The final decision on Israel's request to take part in Com-ITU meetings as an observer has yet to be made. Likewise, the requests from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) and the Internet Society (ISOC) to become permanent Com-ITU observers will be reassessed in the future.
The question of ITU finances was also covered, with discussion focusing on the position Europe should take at the next ITU Council.
Com-ITU's next meeting will be held on 1-4 October 2013 in Bucharest.
