Dear Sir/Madam,

I have the pleasure to invite you to the 10^th Forum on Telecommunication/ICT Regulation and Partnership in Africa (FTRA-2009) organized by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in close collaboration with the African Telecommunications Regulators’ Network and the African Regional Working Party on private sector issues. The theme of FTRA-2009 is "Universal Service/Access Fund". At the kind invitation of the Communications Authority of Zambia (CAZ) and the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the event will be held at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia, from 20^th to 22^nd May 2009.

The theme for this forum «Universal Service/Access Fund» emanated from the proposals made by the participants of the FTRA-2008 held in Dakar, Senegal from 4th to 6th June 2008. During the deliberations of this forum, participants emphasized the insufficient use of Universal Service Funds to support affordable and adequate access to ICTs, notably in high social priority sectors such as public health, education and research centers. FTRA-2009 will therefore provide participants with the opportunity to share experiences around the world and identify best practices in all key aspects of Universal Service Funds administration and management. Participants will discuss how to ensure effective use of contributions made to the Funds and the different financing and allocation mechanisms in place to secure roll out of networks and access to ICT services in rural areas.

The forum will also review the legal instruments (Constitution) providing for the creation of the African Telecommunication and ICT Regulators Assembly (AFRA). The tentative program is attached hereto as Annex 1.

The forum will be held in English and French with simultaneous interpretation. Documents relating to the event and their regular updates will be available on the ITU website: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/afr/events/FTRA/2009.

Registration fees as well as organization costs will be borne by the ITU and the host country. Registration is therefore free of charge and the number of delegates per country/organization is not limited. Participants shall cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Please find the registration form attached in Annex 4. The duly filled out form should be sent preferably before 4^th of May, 2009 (one form per participant), by e-mail to FTRA-2009@itu.int or by fax: +251 11 551 72 99.

The Hotel Reservation form is attached as Annex 3. All other logistical information is attached in Annex 2 and can be found on the FTRA 2009 website at: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/afr/events/FTRA/2009.

Due to entry Visa requirements to Zambia, and in order to ensure that your visa is processed in time for the meeting, I encourage you to follow the Visa instructions and formalities available on the information note attached in Annex 2.

On the occasion of the Telecommunication and Information Society Day, 17^th May 2009, the Communications Authority of Zambia would like to extend an invitation to all interested participants to exhibit their products and services for the duration of the event and throughout the Forums. Should you be interested, please contact: Ms. Ngabo Nankonde, e-mail; nnankonde@caz.zm, Tel +260 211 246697, fax; +260 211 246701.

The FTRA will be preceded by the ITU-D Regional Development Forum for Africa to be held from the 18 to 19 May 2009, at the same venue. The event will focus on “NGN and Broadband, Opportunities and Challenges”. More information is available at: http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/tech/indexDevelopmentForum.html

For any further information or clarification please do not hesitate to contact the following persons at your convenience:

Contact:

I look forward to seeing you in Lusaka for a very fruitful Forum.

Yours faithfully,

Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid

Director