As the world’s oldest telecommunications organization, the ITU has been called upon to re-invent itself many times during its 135-year history, to adapt to technological change and the evolution of new services and new markets.

Now, with the forces of cross-industry convergence and sector liberalization combining to radically redefine the way telecommunications services are delivered in the 21st century, ITU once again finds itself at a watershed.

While the pace of change varies throughout the world’s regions, the direction remains invariably the same: more competition, greater private sector ownership and ever-faster technological development. In today’s global telecoms marketplace, technological development is increasingly being driven by the private sector, while government is more often involved in defining policy rather than operating networks. At the same time, liberalization has spurred huge growth in regulatory bodies, whose job includes the important task of cultivating an equitable and competitive operating environment.

Remaining responsive to the evolving needs of its customer base is the goal of ITU reform efforts now underway.

In 1999, the Secretary-General took the unprecedented step of convening a group of top-level representatives from a cross-section of converging industries – the Internet, entertainment and media, telecommunications and information technology – to seek their views on the future role of the Union.

At the same time, the Directors of ITU’s three Bureaux worked with their respective Advisory Groups to examine how reform initiatives should proceed in their special areas of activity. In addition, the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau decided to convene, in early 2000, a meeting of senior-level representatives from equipment manufacturers, operators and other standards-making organizations to review the international standards-setting process and the role of ITU in a dynamic and fast-changing telecommunications environment.

Work already undertaken has revealed a convergence of views on priority areas for change. These include the future role of the organization, its mission, its stewardship of scarce resources and its activities in the area of policy development and coordination.

The result of these consultations, along with contributions from ITU Members, will be transmitted to the Working Group on ITU Reform (WGR). The WGR is a formal group of ITU Member States and Sector Members set up by the 1998 Plenipotentiary Conference to recommend reforms aimed at improving ITU’s effectiveness as an international focal point for global telecommunications affairs. The WGR’s final report outlining recommendations is expected to be tabled at the 2001 session of ITU Council. At this time, Council will make decisions on the implementation of recommendations within its powers, transmitting those requiring a change to the ITU Constitution and Convention to the 2002 Plenipotentiary Conference for its consideration.