At the invitation of the Swiss presidency of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), and following on similar events held in the past, namely by initiative of the Portuguese CEPT presidency, a meeting between CEPT and other counterpart regional organisations was held on 8 June in Geneva.
The main goal of the meeting was to exchange ideas and eventually co-ordinate positions with respect to the work of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Noteworthy among the main issues covered was the lengthy debate on the report from the outside consultant hired by the ITU to see through implementation of a set of recommendations approved in 2003 by that organisation?s Council.
Some participants held that the consultant?s work did not achieve the goals sought by the ITU Council, as it did not provide tangible solutions for applying the intended changes to the ITU?s financial management and information systems (specifically, the introduction of cost accounting and a time registry system). It was unanimously considered that the Council should closely scrutinise the matter and make decisions that enable appropriate implementation of the recommendations.
Another issue that raised concerns was the Telecom Fairs. The need to organise smaller events was recognised, ones more focused on the target market, given that it will be difficult for the current model to again generate financial return.
Regarding the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA04), scheduled for October, it was concluded that all regions are currently involved in the process of preparing the respective positions for same. Agreement was made to hold a meeting of all the organisations even before the Assembly, in the same place where it will be held (Brazil), with the aim of co-ordinating as far as possible the respective positions.
Follow-up of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) first phase was also covered, with agreement reached that efforts should be towards implementation of the respective action plan. The participants also shared the opinion that the ITU?s role in preparatory work for the second phase should not be limited to logistical and financial aspects, and that the organisation and its sectors should more effectively contribute in the area of their respective responsibilities.
With recognition that this gathering once again showed that meetings between the various organisations are very beneficial for all involved, agreement was reached to encourage the holding of such meetings on a regular basis.
Besides CEPT, represented by its President, Marc Furrer, the British regulator (Office of Communications ? OFCOM) and its Vice-President, Saraiva Mendes of ANACOM, representatives of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (CITEL) and the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC) also took part in the meeting.
