Issue No.4, 30 May 2016​

C16: Half-way through this year’s busy session

Information session on UNGA decisions

During the lunch break on Friday 27 May, a special information session was held covering the UN General Assembly decisions concerning changes to the compensation package and mandatory retirement age for staff, as well as the financial impact of these decisions. These issues will be discussed during Council 16 at ADM later during C16, and are covered in detail in documents C16/64, C16/65 and C16/43.

Document C16/64 covers the new harmonized compensation package for staff in professional and higher categories, different parts of which will come into effect on 1 July 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018. The new compensation package is mandatory at the United Nations level, but for UN specialized agencies the package needs to be ratified by the governing body (in this case Council).

Document C16/65 covers the modification of the mandatory retirement age to 65 – noting the difference between the mandatory age of separation (three different ages, depending on date of recruitment: 60 for staff recruited before 1990; 62 for staff recruited before 2014; 65 for staff recruited in 2014 or after) and the mandatory age of retirement (the age to which staff may choose to work under the new system, applicable from 1 January 2018). Staff with acquired rights may choose to separate at or after their original proposed separation date with full pension rights unaffected.

Document C16/43 covers the financial impact of these decisions on ITU: the new compensation package has a more or less neutral impact on the ITU budget; the new mandatory retirement age does however have a potential negative impact on the ITU budget – the extent of the impact will depend on the number of staff opting to extend their separation date during the 2018/2019 biennium.

Standing Committee on Administration and Management (ADM)

The Standing Committee on Administration and Management (ADM) continued its work on Friday afternoon, basing its agenda on the established time management plan C16/TD3.

CWG-FHR

Frédéric Riehl, Vice-Chair of CWG-FHR, presented the Group's report C16/50 summarizing discussions from the previous CWG-FHR meetings and corresponding recommendations on a number of issues, including inter alia the ITU document access policy, criteria and guidelines for ITU's participation in MoUs, suggestions with regard to Sector and Academia Membership, INRs, DONA, and others.

Discussions in ADM on Friday afternoon were held on the following issues (other items were also discussed, but are not enumerated here, when there were no interventions from membership).

Publication of Council documents

Following a discussion with regard to the proposed amendments to Dec. 495 (Annex 1, C16/50), concerning the specificities for the publication of Council information documents, it was agreed that the Secretariat will present a revised Annex 1 reflecting the comments expressed by ADM.

Russia presented document C16/88 proposing an amendment to Dec. 556 that Secretariat documents calling for a Council/CWG decision be posted no later than 30 days before the respective meeting, for their timely consideration by Member States. The Secretariat committed to meeting this deadline, but noted the difficulties implied in the case of certain documents. The ADM recommended that Council endorse these amendments.

Selection criteria for CWG Chairs and Vice-Chairs

A preliminary draft revision of Res. 1333 (Annex 2, C16/50) was presented to ADM for further consideration, taking into account points raised and discussed by CWG-FHR. Divergent opinions were expressed with regard to highlighting the aspect of gender balance and equitable geographical distribution (already included in PP Dec. 11) as part of the selection criteria for CWG Chairs and Vice-Chairs (Annex 2 of the draft Resolution). An informal group was set up under the leadership of Russia to come up with a compromise text for ADM's consideration.

Document access policy

The draft ITU information/document access policy (Annex 3, C16/50) was presented to ADM. The United States and Saudi Arabia presented documents C16/77 and C16/95, respectively, expressing the view that the Secretariat should be considered as a submitter, as per para 3.2 of the draft policy. Several Councillors supported this view. ADM recommended that Council endorse the draft policy in Annex 3.

Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

Following the instruction by PP-14 Res. 192 for Council to formulate criteria and guidelines for ITU's participation in MoUs that have financial and/or strategic implications, a draft proposal was presented to ADM (Annex 4, C16/50).

The United States and Saudi Arabia presented documents C16/80 and C16/94, respectively. While some Councillors supported the draft proposal, which was based on the contribution from the United States, others expressed concerns that the proposed criteria and guidelines do not provide sufficient flexibility to the Secretariat, and may hinder it from fully carrying out its functions.

Based on the agreement of United States and Saudi Arabia, the ADM recommended that Council refer the issue back to CWG-FHR for further discussion before reporting back to Council in 2017.

Sector Members, Associates and Academia

Three recommendations were presented to ADM, with regard to the participation of Sector Members, Associates and Academia in the activities of ITU. These considered a potential new 'SME category' with reduced fees; the clarification of Academia participation; and the revision of the criteria for fee exemptions. Document C16/83 was presented by the United States expressing its views on the progress report and recommended actions. Following a divergence of opinions ADM recommended that Council refer the issue back to CWG-FHR for further discussion before reporting back to Council in 2017.

International Numbering Resources (INRs)

TSB presented document C16/69, which constitutes a factual description of events since Council 2014 and includes recommendations to Council on possible revenue generation from International Numbering Resources (INRs). The United States and Saudi Arabia presented documents C16/79 and C16/96, respectively, expressing their views on the proposal. While some Councillors favoured the generation of additional revenue from INRs, others did not support the idea.

Deliberations on the matter will continue during the next ADM session on the afternoon of Monday 30 May, along with the topic of Digital Object Architecture (DOA) from CWG-FHR's report (C16/50).

Fifth Plenary Meeting (am Mon 30)

The fifth plenary meeting took place on the morning of Monday 30 May; it was the first ITU Council meeting to feature captioning, a service much appreciated by Councillors.

Building confidence & security in the use of ICTs

The Secretariat presented the report on 'Strengthening the role of ITU in building confidence and security in the use of ICTs' (Res 130, 174), C16/18, including ITU's role as facilitator for WSIS Action Line C5. Councillors expressed strong support and appreciation for ITU's activities in this area, and highlighted the importance of regional and international collaboration. Council took note of the report.

CWG on International Internet-related Public Policy Issues

Council returned briefly to CWG-Internet, and received an update from the Chair of the CWG, who requested further time to conclude his informal consultations.

The creation and management of CWGs

The Secretariat presented the report on the creation and management of CWGs, C16/55. Prepared four months ahead, this report has already been submitted to CWG-FHR. The report did not find any overlaps in the mandates of CWGs, but identified a number of findings and trends and options for improvements and efficiency gains. Council noted the report.

In the discussion that followed, Councillors invited the Chairs of all CWGs to limit the duration of their CWG meetings and to re-examine their Terms of Reference to enhance their efficiency.​​

Operational Plans

Malcolm Johnson, ITU Deputy Secretary-General, introduced the ITU's four-year rolling operational plans (ITU-R, T, D, GS), covered by documents C16/28, C16/29, C16/30R1, C16/31R1, and C16/32. The draft operational plans for the three Sectors have been reviewed and revised separately by each corresponding Sector Advisory Group: TSAG in February; TDAG in March; and RAG in May.

Mario Maniewicz, the Deputy Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau, presented the four-year rolling operational plan for ITU-R covering 2017-2020, C16/28, focusing on the three ITU-R objectives, outcomes and outputs, along with measurable results and outcomes which Member States have agreed to achieve by 2020, as part of the ITU Operational Plan.

Reinhard Scholl, the Deputy Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, presented the four-year rolling operational plan for ITU-T, C16/29, including the five objectives of ITU-T and associated outcomes and outputs. This draft operational plan is complemented by the WTSA Action Plan, approved by Member States.

Yushi Torigoe, the Deputy Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, presented the four-year rolling operational plan for ITU-D, C16/30R1, outlining ITU-D objectives, outcomes and outputs (products and services) produced by the activities of the Sector as well as outcome indicators to measure the achievement level.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, presented the four-year rolling operational plan for the General Secretariat, C16/31R1, which has been streamlined and aligned with the three Sectors, and reviewed by all three Sector Advisory Groups. The Secretariat's enablers support sectoral and inter-sectoral outputs, with a number of smart indicators. Risk management has been included (as recommended by JIU and IMAC) and key operational risks identified.

Councillors expressed their thanks to the Secretariat for developing the operational plans and provided comments on possible improvements to ITU-R's software tools, as well as on the need for more assistance to developing countries. The Sectors took good note of the comments, and Council approved the operational plans and adopted the document – with the inclusion of an additional phrase that Regional offices should participate in the implementation of all the operational plans.

Indonesia presented contribution C16/74 on the implementation of WTSA Resolution 44 (Dubai, 2012) covering the involvement and collaboration with Regional Offices. The Deputy Director of TSB noted that the TSB Director now holds regular conference calls and submits summaries of the Study Group meetings to all the Regional Offices to improve liaison and coordination. All Chairs of the Study Groups have been invited to WTSA.

During the coffee break, a consultation was held on Res. 1333.

World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF)

The Secretariat presented document C16/59R1 on convening the next WTPF. In early 2016, the Secretary-General had invited Member States and Sector Members to submit ideas for a theme on WTPF; 19 inputs were received in response to the circular letter, summarized in document C16/INF/2R2. The biennial budget of the Union, approved by Council in 2015, also made provision for this event. Council was invited to consider whether and/or when to convene a potential sixth WTPF event.

The United States presented contribution C16/85 proposing to defer discussion about a possible WTPF to PP-18. Many countries expressed appreciation for WTPF as a valuable platform facilitating discussion, while questioning the timing of a possible WTPF vis-à-vis other ITU events. In conclusion, Council decided to instruct the Secretary-General to continue consultations about 'the possible theme, date and place for the next WTPF, and to report back to Council 2017'.​

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