Geneva hosted last 29-30 January the 4th meeting of the working group (WG) on the study concerning the participation of relevant speakers in activities related to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which was attended by nearly 80 delegates.
The group chaired by Thomas Shneider (Switzerland) was informed by a report about the mechanisms and practices for the participation of all relevant speakers in the activity of the United Nations, other specialised agencies and intergovernmental organisations. Also debated was the production of a questionnaire and consultation on the participation of other relevant speakers in ITU activities concerning WSIS. The participants had no problems with the texts of the questionnaire and consultation, which were quickly approved. But the consultation's target public was the subject of lengthy debate, as the member states had very contradictory viewpoints. Some representatives urged that the consultations should be entirely open, while others preferred more limits, given the intergovernmental nature of the ITU. Although not consensual, the option to make the consultation for member states and all WSIS accredited speakers seems to be the most uncontroversial option.
Also discussed was the holding of information sessions for the speakers deemed relevant and for the missions accredited in Geneva, to encourage participation in the consultations.
The group will next meet in September to prepare for the Council session.
