NP/93-5
27 July 1993
Original: English
Strategic consultative body created
to step up telecommunications development worldwide
The Telecommunication Development Advisory Board (TDAB) holds its first meeting on 6 and 7 July 1993
Telecommunications representatives representing a cross-section of senior level individuals with special interests and expertise in telecommunication development met in Geneva in early July to set up a strategic consultative body. Called Telecommunication Development Advisory Board (TDAB), its aims are to advise ITU on priorities and strategies for telecommunication development, to advise ITU Member countries on how best to step up telecommunications development and to reinforce the role of the development machinery of the Union in this area. TDAB is expected to draw upon the resources and experiences of both governments and the private sector.
The initiative was taken in response to a recommendation made by the High-Level Committee and endorsed by the ITU Plenipotentiaries in December 1992. Composed of 25 members (see list in annex) nominated in their personal capacity for a period of three years, the Board will normally meet annually. 
The Board will neither exercise supervisory functions nor be involved in the management of ITU's Development Sector. It will however be required to:
	provide views and recommendations that will contribute towards the development, expansion and efficient operation of telecommunications
	help in raising the level of awareness of decision-makers of the importance of telecommunications in socio-economic development of nations
	encourage the participation of industry, telecommunication operators and service providers, bilateral and multilateral organizations and financing institutions to promote telecommunications development in developing countries
	assist in the mobilization of actions and resources for pre-investment and investment activities in the field of telecommunications
	assist in the preparation of telecommunication development conferences
At the first meeting, Mr Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Mohd. Rashdan Hj. Baba, Executive Chairman of Malaysia's national operator (TELEKOM Malaysia Berhad) was elected TDAB's first Chairman. Mr Jacques Dondoux, Chairman of the French Observatoire mondial des systèmes de communication (OMSYC) was elected Vice-Chairman.
Dr Pekka Tarjanne, ITU Secretary-General, hailed the creation of TDAB which he said was to work cooperatively and strategically with other international, regional and bilateral organizations and institutions as well as with the private sector with a view to mobilizing actions and resources. 
"Today's globalized, largely privatized and competitive telecommunication environment commands new synergies and approaches. If the ITU is to remain a leader in telecommunication development, it must strengthen its cooperation with the private sector and develop new partnership schemes to develop mutually beneficial relations." Dr Tarjanne said. 
Mr A. Djiwatampu, Director of ITU's Development Bureau recalled the thrust of assistance in over 95 developing countries, in particular, the least developed countries and to the emerging and changing nations of Eastern Europe and the CIS. "Our basic goal is to help them improve and expand their telecommunication networks including broadcasting." he said. The Bureau is increasingly sollicited to provide advice on how to foster private participation in the telecommunication sector, on regulatory reforms needed to smoothly move to market economies or on strategies to introduce new and value-added services, he added. 
"Enhanced telecommunication network development and better management in developing countries would ensure an enlarged telecommunication market for manufacturers and other players in the telecommunication industry. And this in turn would induce other economic development activities for a better and more harmonious world environment." Mr Djiwatampu concluded.
Among its first tasks and in view of the upcoming World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC, Buenos Aires, 21-29 March 1994), TDAB decided to produce a short executive summary intended for the highest political levels. Based on contributions and comments from key development partners, the document will discuss how best to associate the private sector in the development process, underlining the rationale as to why it should join forces with ITU in becoming member of the Union's Development Sector; it will also outline areas such as favourable investment climates, institutional and regulatory structures or the impact of telecommunications on socio-economic development which should be further addressed by working groups to be established by the World Conference.  
The document will be reviewed by TDAB at its second meeting, scheduled to take place in Geneva on 22 and 23 November 1993. At that meeting, the Board will also prepare a report to the WTDC. This report will outline TDAB vision's concerning future strategies, programmes and activities which the BDT should undertake and the direction which it should take in order to accelerate telecommunication development worldwide.
For further information on TDAB, please contact:
Mr A. Laouyane
Executive Secretary, TDAB
International Telecommunication Union
Telephone: +41 22 730 5456
Telefax: +41 22 730 5484