Archived Newsroom • Media Advisory |
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Final call for media accreditation for the World Conference on International
Telecommunications (WCIT-12), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3-14 December 2012
Geneva, 21 November 2012 – Journalists are advised that
accreditation for the
World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) which takes
place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 3-14 December 2012, will close
at 17:00 CET, 23 November.
WCIT-12 will review the current
International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), which serve as the
binding global treaty designed to facilitate global interconnection and
interoperability of information and communication services, as well as ensuring
their efficiency and widespread public usefulness and availability.
During the two-week conference, around 1,800 delegates from ITU Member States
will debate revisions to the current treaty to help it better meet the needs of
21st century networks and users.
The treaty sets out general principles for assuring the free flow of
information around the world and promoting affordable and equitable access for
all. “ITU is adamant that freedom of access and expression on the Internet is
something no-one can take away; on the contrary, any new ITRs should strengthen
this,” said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I. Touré. “Freedom of expression
and the right to communicate are already enshrined in carefully crafted
international treaties, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on
Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Such
treaties are universal, and indisputable.”
Dr Touré recently called for governments around the world to engage with a
broad range of stakeholders from across industry and civil society, to ensure
all voices are heard. Many representatives from leading private sector companies
and civil society organizations are already registered to participate in the
event as part of national delegations.
The ITRs were last negotiated in Melbourne, Australia in 1988. The current
treaty binds 178 countries.
An FAQ, a comprehensive set of Background Briefs covering the main discussion
topics and a WCIT Myth-Buster presentation can be found at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/WCIT-backgroundbriefs.aspx. The compilation of
proposals which was the main outcome of the WCIT-12 preparatory process can be
found at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Documents/draft-future-itrs-public.pdf. Proposals
continue to be received, and a revised version of this document will be prepared
for the start of the meeting, and posted on the ITU WCIT-12 website on 3
December. The current ITRs can be found at:
www.itu.int/oth/T3F01000001.
The main WCIT-12 Newsroom can be found at:
http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/newsroom.aspx.
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What:
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ITU
World Conference on International
Telecommunications (WCIT-12)
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When:
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3-14 December, 2012
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Where:
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Dubai International Convention & Exhibition
Centre, United Arab Emirates
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Why:
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WCIT-12 is a landmark global treaty-making
conference that is
expected to generate compelling debate and
discussion on a wide spectrum of issues and
challenges facing the ICT community.
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Who:
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Some 1,800 representatives from across the
global information and communications community,
including delegates from some 150 ITU Member
States, along with private industry, R&D
institutions, academia and the public.
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Media accreditation
Official accreditation is essential to attend this UN event.
Accreditation formally closes at 17:00 CET, 23
November 2012.
There
will be no accreditation onsite, and strictly no admittance to the venue without
an event badge.
To apply for accreditation, or for more information, please visit:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx.
Official UN
press accreditation is valid, but UN-accredited media must register in order
to obtain an event badge. Please contact
wcitpressreg@itu.int.
Journalists and analysts who have
already formally accredited for ITU events in 2012 and whose details have not
changed since accreditation do not need to resubmit accreditation credentials,
but still need to register for an event badge at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx.
WCIT-12 is organized by ITU and hosted by the Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (TRA)
of UAE.
For more information on
the event, please contact:
Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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Noor M. Shamma
Media Relations Manager
Corporate Communications Affairs
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, UAE
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For media accreditation enquiries, please contact:
Soraya Abino Quintana
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About ITU...
About TRA
TRA is an independent public
authority established in 2003
to support the UAE
ICT sector by
safeguarding competition, providing fair access to
the domestic infrastructure, and ensuring the optimal use of natural resources
through the implementation of best practice in every area.
It mission is to protect the interests of subscribers, to enhance the readiness
of e-services, to encourage investment, innovation, development and education,
to meet corporate social responsibility, and
to create an optimal enabling environment in which the UAE ICT sector
will emerge as a leader in the global market place.
Website:
http://www.tra.gov.ae/index.php
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/theuaetra
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheUAETRA