Committed to connecting the world

Search for:

WCIT-12: Conference Overview

ITU is convening the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 3-14 December 2012. This landmark conference will review the current International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), which serve as the binding global treaty designed to facilitate international interconnection and interoperability of information and communication services, as well as ensuring their efficiency and widespread public usefulness and availability.

The treaty sets out general principles for assuring the free flow of information around the world, promoting affordable and equitable access for all and laying the foundation for ongoing innovation and market growth. The ITRs were last negotiated in Melbourne, Australia in 1988, and there is broad consensus that the text now needs to be updated to reflect the dramatically different information and communication technology (ICT) landscape of the 21st century.

The conference will consider a review (see PP-06 Resolution 146) of the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs), which define the general principles for the provision and operation of international telecommunications.

WCIT-12 FAQs and Background Briefs

About ITRs

The 1988 ITRs are a global treaty applied around the world.190 countries are parties to that treaty , which:

Establish general principles relating to the provision and operation of international telecoms;
Facilitate global interconnection and interoperability;
Underpin harmonious development and efficient operation of technical facilities;
Promote efficiency, usefulness, and availability of international telecommunication services, and
Treaty-level provisions are required with respect to international telecommunication networks and services.

A Key Opportunity

WCIT-12 presents a key opportunity to increase collaboration between countries, to help countries reach new levels of economic and social development through efficient telecom services, and to make the ITRs more relevant and valuable to ITU members, to help them respond to the challenges of a fast-evolving ICT environment.