ITU/94-19 14 October 1994 ORIGINAL: English Kyoto conference adopts strategic plan and determines ITU's thrust of action to the year 2000 KYOTO - The 14th Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) closed today with the adoption of key decisions for the future of the organization. It had been meeting, at the invitation of the Government of Japan, for four weeks (19 September - 14 October) at the Kyoto International Conference Hall. The Conference was held under the able chairmanship of Mr Yoshio Utsumi, Director-General of International Affairs at Japan Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The Conference was attended by 1,083 delegates from 151 countries of ITU's 184 Members and by observers from 11 international and regional organizations. The main decisions of the Conference addressed four main issues: * enhanced participation of the industry and other organizations in the work of the ITU * greater focus on development * stronger involvement in the policy domain * strengthening of the financial base of the organization The Conference also elected ITU's new leadership. With keen awareness of the change of telecommunication environment and of the need for increased international cooperation for the worldwide growth of telecommunications, the action taken by the Conference ultimately aims at paving the way to the instauration of a truly global information infrastructure. "For the first time, we have a single document setting out the strategies and priorities of the Union. No plan is perfect. The Council will have to adjust this plan to adapt to the ever-changing telecommunications environment. " Pekka Tarjanne said in his concluding remarks. "However, the plan is and will remain an invaluable tool. It will help me and my colleagues to manage the affairs of the Union and it will help us to convey the ITU message more effectively." he said. Dr Tarjanne, highlighting the main achievements of the Conference, hailed the decision to send a strong signal to the private sector to give them rights commensurate to their contribution to the work of the Union. He welcomed the creation of a Policy Forum which will offer a platform to discuss global policy issues which go beyond the domain of any single country. He also said that the agreement to fund the Buenos Aires Action Plan for telecommunication development as a top development priority was a necessary step to avoid an irreparable widening of the development gap. Looking forward to the challenges ahead, Dr Tarjanne pointed to the difficult task of implementing all the decisions of the Conference to respond to the multifarious needs of ITU's members, partners and the wider telecommunications family. "I feel that this conference marks the first step toward a new age in which the ITU will come to grips with the changing telecommunication environment," said Mr Utsumi, Conference Chairman, at the closing of the Conference. "The Conference has determined two very important and new directions in view of the coming 21st century. They are "strengthening the Union's policy functions" and "enhancing participation of private sectors", he added. With the establishment of the World Telecommunication Policy Forum, these constitute a clear message to the world of our firm determination to promote the development of telecommunications", Mr Utsumi concluded. A more detailed report on the outcome of the Conference is annexed. REPORT ON THE KYOTO PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE: MAIN HIGHLIGHTS The Conference was attended by 1083 delegates from 151 countries as well as by observers from the following organizations: the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), Inter-American Telecommunication Conference (CITEL), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the European Space Agency, the European Conference of posts and telecommunications administrations (CEPT), the Panafrican Telecommunication Union (PATU), ARABSAT, EUTELSAT, INMARSAT, INTELSAT and Palestine. The Conference was chaired by Mr Yoshio Utsumi, Director-General of International Affairs at Japan Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The Vice-Chairmen were: H.E. Mr Jichuan M. Wu (China) Mr Fernando Mendes (Portugal), H.E. Mr Vladimir B.M. Boulgak (Russia), H.E. Mr Abdoulaye Elimane Kane (Senegal), H.E. Mr Jeffrey H. Smulyan (United States). The agenda The objective of the conference was to set the Union's general policies, to adopt for the first time an overall strategic plan to guide the work of the ITU in the next four years and to improve the Union's effectiveness in light of the changes which have marked the world of telecommunications including enhanced participation of the industry in ITU's work and decision-making process. Major decisions of the Conference CLEAR SIGNALS SENT TO THE INDUSTRY FOR ENHANCED ROLE IN ITU AFFAIRS The Conference recognized the strategic need to not only maintain but also strengthen the relationship between the public and private sectors of the industry and the government membership of the ITU and agreed to adjust ITU's structures and working methods accordingly. Concretely, the Conference confirmed a number of principles guiding the participation of entities and organizations other than Administrations and which had been developed as a result of the Additional Plenipotentiary Conference of 1992. It also adopted new principles to further enhance such participation, mainly: * the level of contribution should remain a free choice * members of Sectors are entitled to have access to all information related to the work of the Sector (Study Groups , Assemblies, Conferences) * members of Sectors may submit contributions and take part in the decision-making process of the Sector's activities except in relation to the structure and functioning of the Union * Operators, scientific and industrial organizations, financial and development institutions as well as organizations of an international character representing groups of Sectoral members may be granted observer status to the Plenipotentiary Conferences * the ITU should develop stronger ties with regional organizations given that the synergy derived from such cooperation can contribute to improving regional telecommunication development But the Conference also recognized that the rights and obligations were the two faces of a same coin and that a fair balance needed to be struck. In view of the massive intellectual contribution to the work of the Sectors, it decided that the rights and obligations of members be thoroughly reviewed with a view to enhancing their rights and ensure that their needs and expectations are met, consistent with the contribution they make to the work of ITU. However, the right to vote will remain a prerogative of Member Administrations as will be the decision-taking at conferences of treaty- making nature such as Plenipotentiary and radiocommunications conferences or Conferences on International Telecommunications was confirmed. Under a three-phase approach and set timetable, a Review Committee will therefore be set up to this end. Membership of the Committee will be a well-balanced and representative cross-section of both Member States and sectoral members. Submissions from Member States and sectoral members who will not be on the Committee, will also be invited. The three-phase approach consists in the following: - in the short-term, mechanisms to take account of the views of members in reaching consensus, particularly in the formulation of standards will be developed by the Directors of the bureaux on the one hand and, on the other hand, Administrations are invited to conduct broad coordination at the national level among all members from their country - in the medium-term, the 1996 Council is expected to adopt the recommendations which are within its power arising from the outcome of the work of the Review Committee. Recommendations will cover subjects such as the possible participation of "smaller members" (for example small consulting firms) together with precise criteria and procedures; outlays for voluntary contributions, particularly in the Development Sector, to offer additional opportunities of involvement to members; review of the financial management of each sector for improved independence and responsibility therefore providing a more focused feeling among member of "value for money" as well as any other procedures and processes that will enhance the participation of members - in the longer-term, recommendations of the Review Committee which would need to be decided by a plenipotentiary conference and proposals for amending the Constitution and Convention will be referred to the 1998 Plenipotentiary Conference for decision As the participation to each Sector differs both in terms of categories of members and expectations, each Sector will initiate a review of the procedures and processes of its respective activities with a view to formulating input to the work of the Committee. Another sign of openness was the acceptance to authorize the participation, as observers, of Member States which are not members of the Council. GREATER FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT The discussions of development issues focused on three main areas: the need to fully implement the Buenos Aires Action Plan, the need to foster private sector's role in development and the need to strengthen the role and mission of the ITU regional/area offices. The Buenos Aires Action Plan adopted last March by the World Telecommunication Development Conference was the subject of much discussion at Kyoto from the point of view of the resources needed to implement it. Having considered that the Plan, in its integrality, was a priority activity of the Union, the Conference also expressed the view that extrabudgetary resources were needed to implement a number of projects associated with the 12 programmes of the Plan. It also recognized that the far-reaching objectives of the Buenos Aires Plan could not be achieved without a joint effort from the whole international community. A resolution adopted by the Conference provides the basis for the ITU and its Member States to take steps to encourage and promote the participation of the private sector in the implementation of the Plan. Concerning closer ties of the ITU in Member States, the Conference redefined the purposes, mission and role of the regional and area offices. It decided that a a study be undertaken to determine the best ways to implement its mission on the basis of a detailed audit aimed at improving the structure and management of the strengthened regional presence, particularly in respect of definition of responsibilities, functions and duties with Headquarters. In essence, the Conference agreed that the principal aim of the regional presence was to be able to satisfy the growing and diversified telecommunication needs of ITU members, in particular, developing countries. It was also to implement, in the field, ITU's decisions, recommendations, actions, programmes and projects through direct and sustained contacts with national authorities, regional telecommunication and other organizations concerned with development issues. Moreover, the role of regional presence as a link for the exchange and dissemination of information on the activities of the other Sectors - radiocommunications and telecommunication standardization was stressed. From a financial point of view, funding was secured for the implementation of the entire Action Plan with an budget of 5.5 million Swiss francs over the amount foreseen under a zero-growth approach, getting the lion's share of the 1.5% increase in the global budget limits for the period 1995-1999 . STRONGER INVOLVEMENT IN THE POLICY DOMAIN A strategic shift from the more conventional technology to a more policy- oriented approach also characterizes the Kyoto Conference. The first steps were taken five years earlier, at the Nice Plenipotentiary Conference and at Geneva in 1992, when the general thrust of the new orientation was embodied in a resolution. At Kyoto, the idea was developed into a concrete project which led to the creation of the World Telecommunication Policy Forum. The objective of the forum is to discuss and exchange views and information on broad telecommunication policy issues, technological advances, service options and opportunities, infrastructure development and financial business considerations. It will address issues such as the global information infrastructure, personal communications services, new methods of radio spectrum management, open access to networks or the transmission and reception of transborder television broadcasts. Special attention will be given to the interests and needs of the developing countries where modern technologies and services can contribute significantly to telecommunication infrastructure development. The Forum will take place on an ad hoc basis in conjunction with other ITU conferences or major meetings to facilitate participation and minimize costs. It will have a semi-open structure where some of the debates will be open to the private sector and others will be restricted to Administrations. This approach was found to meet the concerns of countries which wish to maintain the intergovernmental nature of the organization while providing an opening to the private sector. The policy forum will work on the basis of a report prepared by the ITU secretariat, contributions by Member countries irrespective of whether they take part in the meeting or not and input by participants as well as views expressed during the discussions. It will produce reports which could contain opinions on issues for which there might be unanimity. It will not produce prescriptive regulatory outcomes with binding force. The report serve as input for consideration and decisions by Member countries. The policy forum will be convened by a decision of the Council which will also adopt the forum's agenda and decide on its venue. However, both Member States and non-administration entities will be able to contribute suggestions to the Secretary-General for review and consideration by Council. Concerning the funding of the Forum, the Conference expressed the wish that it should be organized at minimal costs taking advantage of the conjunction with other meetings. The Council will look at what costs could be absorbed by the regular budget together with other funding options such as the sponsorship by a host country or entity other than an administration, voluntary contributions, registration fees, income from the sales of any publications issued by the forum, etc). STRENGTHENING OF THE FINANCIAL BASE OF THE ORGANIZATION In respect of the financial base of the Union, measures were taken to strengthen ITU's financial foundations. The conference decided that a cost attribution framework be developed in which the costs related to specific functions and activities will be clearly identified and off-setting savings and revenue options will be identified when submitting draft budgets to the Council. The Conference entrusted the Secretary-General with the task of undertaking a study of this matter. The study will examine options to reduce costs with focus on more effective allocation of resources based on the ranking of activities according to the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan. It will also consider further steps to encourage wider financial participation by members other than Member States as well as the possibility of charging fees for ITU services particularly where they are sought on a discretionary basis or at a level of magnitude that goes beyond the level of facilities generally provided. The purpose is for ITU to look more closely at savings and revenue options so as to be able to take on additional high priority tasks while containing costs. ASSISTANCE TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS A concretely positive step was taken by the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference in deciding to explore and study the needs of the Palestinian Authority in order to improve the telecommunications infrastructure and identify where assistance is needed. On the basis of the conclusions of that study report, Member States will be invited to offer assistance and the ITU will decide on the type and level of assistance which could be provided. The resolution was hailed by the US Ambassador Jeffrey Smulyan as a historic moment. "For the first time, the fruits of the peace process in the Middle East have been recognized in a Resolution in the UN system" said Mr Smulyan at the time of the adoption of the text. "We applaud the courage and vision of those who would advance the cause of that peace, especially representatives of Egypt, Jordan and Mr Menachem Oholy of Israel and Dr Baker Munom of the Palestinian Authority. We also believe that the greatest benefits of our technological age are those which increase human understanding and bring the advantages of the information era to all. For that reason, we are hopeful that the Palestinian people will soon enjoy a fully developed telecommunications infrastructure", he added. ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Given the extensive damages caused by the war to the telecommunications network of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the need for a reliable network for promoting socio-economic development of countries, the Kyoto Conference decided to take special action to assist countries in bringing to an acceptable level its national network and asked Council to make available funds to this end. ASSISTANCE TO LIBERIA, SOMALIA AND RWANDA TO REBUILD THEIR TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS A similar text was adopted to help Liberia, Somalia and Rwanda to rebuild their telecommunication networks when order and security sought by United Nations resolutions will have been achieved. CALL BACK SERVICES AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE CALLING PROCEDURES ON THE AGENDA In recent years, telecommunication operators have taken advantage of differences in international tariffs between countries. This practice has led to problems in some countries where such alternative calling procedures are not authorized. The Conference, recalling the provision of the International Telecommunications Regulations concerning the international exchange of telecommunications traffic between operators of ITU Member States, adopted a resolution providing a mechanism to resolve problems arising from the provision of services infringing on the national law of countries. If an operator provides a service which infringes the national law of a Member State, and if the Member State having jurisdiction over such an operator is informed, appropriate action is to be taken by that Member State within the constraints of its national law. The Resolution also calls on the ITU to speed up its studies concerning these practices with a view to developing appropriate solutions and recommendations. The matter is to be monitored by Council. REVENUE SHARING IN PROVIDING INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES The Conference recognized that despite the trends towards falling costs of international telecommunication transmission and switching which contribute to lower accounting rate levels, the conditions are not uniformly present throughout the world. Also, it was agreed that the network quality and telephone penetrations to developed countries levels would assist in diminishing existing call and cost imbalances. It was therefore decided that, where bilateral agreements are reached on revenue sharing on a basis other than 50/50 to the advantage of developing countries, the resulting additional revenues should be used by developing countries to improve their telecommunications networks and services. The resolution adopted by the Conference to this end also calls for an acceleration of the current studies on the issue of accounting rates which take into account the cost of providing service. NON DISCRIMINATORY ACCESS TO MODERN TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES The changes of the past few years in the geopolitical world has raised the question of the relevance of the continued application of export restrictions of sensitive technology. The Kyoto conference endorsed the thrust of a resolution adopted by the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Buenos Aires last March on non-discriminatory access to modern telecommunication technologies. The resolution underlines the need for all countries participating in the work of the Union without exception to have access in a non-discriminatory manner to new telecommunication technologies based on the recommendations of the Radiocommunication and Telecommunication Standardization Sectors (ITU-R and ITU-T) if full harmonization of telecommunication networks is to be achieved on a global basis. The resolution also considers such access as an important factor for world technological progress. Governments of ITU Member States are invited to help telecommunication equipment manufacturers and service providers in ensuring that telecommunication facilities and services established on the basis of ITU recommendations and standards be generally available to the public without any discrimination. TELECOMMUNICATION TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION A resolution encouraging the use of telecommunication and information technologies in promoting environmental protection and sustainable development was adopted. A policy paper is to be developed by the ITU Secretary-General in cooperation with international and regional organizations to this end. The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) is instructed to organize seminars and training programmes and to participate in exhibitions and other activities with a view to meeting the objectives of the resolution. TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS Another resolution adopted by the Buenos Aires Conference and endorsed by the Conference relate to the role of telecommunications for disaster relief operations. The Kyoto resolution also requests the Secretary-General to report to the 1995 session of Council on the steps taken to implement the Buenos Aires Resolution which, in essence, urged administrations to facilitate the rapid deployment and effective use of telecommunication equipment for disaster mitigation and relief operations by reducing, and wherever possible, removing regulatory barriers and strengthening transboundary cooperation between States. REVIEW OF ITU'S FREQUENCY COORDINATION AND PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR SATELLITE NETWORKS A consensus was reached on the review of the current mechanisms used for coordination and planning of satellite networks given the increasing globalization and diversification of telecommunication systems, particularly satellite networks. The review, to be undertaken by the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau in consultation with the Radiocommunication Advisory Group and with input from the Radio Regulations Board, aims at ensuring the integrity of ITU procedures and agreements and ensuring equitable access to the radio frequency spectrum as well as meeting the needs of all administrations in establishing their satellite networks while at the same time safeguarding the interests of other radio services. A preliminary report is to be submitted to the 1995 World Radio Conference and a final report to the 1997 World Radio Conference. NEW LEADERSHIP OF THE ITU Top management The conference elected the new leadership of the organization which will take up duties on 1 January 1995. Secretary-General Pekka Tarjanne (Finland) re-elected Depuy Secretary-General Henry Chasia (Kenya) elected Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau Robert Jones (Canada) elected Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau Theodor Irmer re-elected Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau Ahmed Laouyane (Tunisia) elected New Council elected until 1998 The number of seats on the Council was raised to 46, representing 25% of the Union's membership. South Africa received the highest number of votes for its region and the United Kingdom was elected as Council Member after having been a Member uninterruptedly since the creation of the Council in 1947 until the Nice Plenipotentiary Conference in 1989. The other new members are Bahamas, Chile, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Ukraine and Viet Nam. The outgoing members are: Colombia, Greece, Jamaica, Malaysia and Sweden. Radio Regulations Board The Plenipotentiaries elected the nine members of the part-time Radio Regulations Board. Four of the five administrative regions were entitled to two seats and the region of the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau, to one seat. The new, first-time part-time Radio Regulations Board, will have the following composition as follows: REGION A: 1 SEAT João Carlos F. Albernaz (Brazil) REGION B: 2 SEATS Thormod Boe (Norway) Henry Kieffer (Switzerland) REGION C: 2 SEATS R.G. Struzak (Poland) V. Timofeev (Russia) REGION D: 2 SEATS Jean-Baptiste Yao Kouakou (Côte d'Ivoire) Gerard L. Mutti (Zambia) REGION E: 2 SEATS Makoto Miura (Japan) Sanbao Zhu (China) Study Groups are groups of experts which meet periodically to develop recommendations and standards. Proposal of items to be discussed, participation in negotiation, nomination at responsibilities at any level such as chairmanship or rapporteur, etc. The approved budget ceilings for the period 1995-1999 are: 150.6 million Swiss francs for 1995, 296.8 million Swiss francs for the biennium 1996-1997 and 302.6 million Swiss francs for the biennium 1998-1999. The total of 750 million Swiss francs represents an increase of 1.5% over the Nice ceilings of 600 million Swiss francs (corresponding to 738.8 million at 1994 values).