The World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF-13) was held last 13-17 May in Geneva, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ANACOM and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) participated on behalf of Portugal. The World Information Society Forum (WSIS Forum 2013) took place in parallel; ANACOM participated in the first and last day of that event, i.e. whenever this did not overlap with WTPF-13.
WTPF-13 was attended by about 900 participants from 126 member states and focused on debating international public policies for the internet. It must be stressed that the WTPF (the previous Forum was held in Lisbon in 2009) issues non-binding opinions.
WTPF-13 approved six opinions:
- Opinion 1: Promoting Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) as a long term solution to advance connectivity;
- Opinion 2: Fostering an enabling environment for the greater growth and development of broadband connectivity;
- Opinion 3: Supporting Capacity Building for the deployment of IPv6;
- Opinion 4: In Support of IPv6 Adoption and Transition from IPv4;
- Opinion 5: Supporting Multi-stakeholderism in Internet Governance;
- Opinion 6: On supporting operationalising the Enhanced Cooperation Process.
The writing of the six opinions was largely agreed on in the scope of a group of experts that met three times and was responsible for preparing WTPF. Brazil also presented a proposal for an additional opinion on the "Role of Government in the Multistakeholder Framework for Internet Governance". The proposal, meant to strengthen and make clear governments' role in governing the internet, did not garner enough support for approval, even though several delegations stressed the matter's importance.
Bearing this in mind, the WTPF suggested that the matter could be considered again in the ITU Council working group on the Internet and asked Brazil to submit a contribution to that group so it could be discussed there.
As for the WSIS Forum, which is held annually, its aim was to discuss application of the WSIS results in a multidisciplinary environment.
