International Telecommunication Union
				
	Regional Telecommunication Development Conference for
the Arab States
(AR-RTDC-96)
Beirut (Lebanon), 11-15 November 1996

	

Second Arab States Regional Development Telecommunication Conference
Opening Statement of Dr. Pekka Tarjanne, Secretary-General, ITU
Beirut, 11 November 1996

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like first to express my sincere appreciation to the authorities of the Republic of Lebanon for having offered to host this second Arab States Regional Telecommunication Development Conference, in the beautiful city of Beirut - historic and ever eternal -  which has played over the centuries a major role in the Mediterranean (Mare Nostrum) and has always been and is still, despite all events, a central pole for the most prestigious world civilisations from the Phoenician to the Greek, the Roman, the Byzantine and the Islamic Arab civilisation, as well as being a commercial and economical centre for the Middle East.
In seeing the speed and quality of the country’s reconstruction after the devastating events which lasted more than seventeen years, we all are confident that stability has been restored and that Lebanon is regaining its dynamic role in the area.  The fact that this important regional Conference is taking place here proves it.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The second Arab Regional Development Conference is taking place at a turning point of our Union’s history, coming shortly after the first World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF), which took place from 21-23 October 1996 in Geneva, and the first Meeting of the Working Group called “ITU 2000” on 24-25 October,  two important gatherings, established by the 1994 Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference and the 1996 Council meeting respectively, the first one for preparing appropriate answers to the emerging policy issues arising from the changing telecommunication environment, the second one for examining a wide range of issues regarding the future shape of ITU structure and functioning.
For the first time Member States and Sector members were seated side by side in straight alphabetical order.  This has proved the Union’s ability to adapt with pragmatism and realism to the changes inherent to the evolution of the world political, economical and social environment.  If one could judge these two gatherings from the constructive spirit which characterized the discussions and the relative ease by which consensus was reached on expressions of opinion, it would not be exaggerated to state that they gave a concrete demonstration that the interests of Member States and Sector members are not necessarily divergent but more likely complementary if not similar, as long as there is a common approach to the issues.
ITU is tackling issues of the present and at the same time facing tomorrow’s challenges.  Several activities which led to important decisions or results illustrate the continuous effort of the Union and of its Members towards the development of the world telecommunication sector.  In addition to the first WTPF and “ITU 2000”, mentioned above, I would like to refer here, in particular, to the 96 Council meeting which focused on several important and fundamental issues for the role and future of our Union against the background of a changing telecommunication environment.
The Council deliberations this year covered a broad range of topics like:
•	the establishment of necessary conditions for the development of the new “Information Society”;
•	the improvement of mechanisms of assistance to the developing world;
•	an examination of the current activities of the ITU with a view to strengthening the financial base of the organization;
•	the development of proposals to strengthen the relationship between the public and private sectors of the industry and the government membership to the ITU;
•	the establishment of a fair balance between the rights and obligations of Member States and Sector members (public and private sectors of the industry, non-governmental entities and intergovernmental organizations);
•	the improvement of the structure and working methods of the Union;
•	the future of the ITU as an intergovernmental organization.
Amongst the 96 Council resolutions which are, in my opinion, of particular interest to our present Conference, are those related to the Strategic Plan for the year 2000, ITU 2000, Telephone Accounting Rates and Call-Back issues.
Strategic Plan for the Year 2000
The Council provided guidance on the creation of the ITU’s next Strategic Plan, which will cover the period 1999-2003, and which will include the impact of telecoms liberalization and globalization at the national and international levels, the impact of the convergence of telecommunications, computer and broadcasting technologies, and the development of the Global Information Infrastructure and the Global Information Society.
ITU 2000
On the basis of resolutions taken at the 1994 Plenipotentiary Conference in Kyoto and subsequent reports on strengthening the financial base of the Union, and on enhancing the rights and obligations of ITU Members, the Council established a Working Group to be known as ITU 2000. The Working Group met in Geneva on 24 to 25 October and has begun examining, with a view to preparing proposals for the 1998 Plenipotentiary Conference, a wide range of complex issues including: extending the participation of members; broadening the membership base; developing new ITU products and services; reviewing working methods; developing outsourcing and cost recovery strategies; and making changes to the contributions of members.
As I have often said, I believe that the questions being examined by ITU 2000 are the most important strategic issues facing the Union.  I urge all of you present at this Conference to contribute to its work.
Telephone Accounting Rates
Given the concerns expressed by some developing countries over 50/50 cost sharing in the apportionment of telecommunications revenues, ITU-T Study Group 3 has been looking at the issue of telephone accounting rate reform, to ensure that the cost of providing a service is taken into account.
Call-Back
In recent years, some telecommunication operators have taken advantage of differences in international tariffs between countries to offer so called “call-back” services.  This practice has led to problems when one of the two countries involved does not authorize such alternative calling procedures. The problems may be of a technical nature (degradation of the quality and performance of the network by methods such as constant calling and answer suppression), of a legal nature (the national laws of a country do not authorize such practices), or of an economic nature (loss of revenue for the national operator where call-back is offered).  According to estimates this represents roughly US$ 500 million and is expected to grow to US$ 1.2 billion by 1998.  Council approved a resolution which calls for suspension of practices of those call-back applications which seriously degrade the quality and performance of the network.  The resolution also invites the ITU-T to develop appropriate recommendations that will guide Members in dealing with call-back services.  The call-back question was also extensively discussed at the recent World Telecommunication Standardization Conference, which adopted a resolution similar to the one adopted by Council.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The 94 Kyoto Conference, in establishing the ITU World Telecommunication Policy Forum aimed at providing a forum where ITU Member States and Sector members can discuss and exchange views and information on emerging telecommunication policy and regulatory matters arising from the changing telecommunications environment.  The WTPF was not meant to produce prescriptive regulatory outcomes or outputs with binding force, but rather to prepare reports and, where appropriate, opinions for consideration by Members and by relevant ITU meetings.
The first World Telecommunication Policy Forum, grouping some 900 delegates representing 129 countries, took place in Geneva and in accordance with Resolution 1083 of the 1995 Council, discussed the development and implementation of “Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite”.
From all points of view this first Forum was regarded as a success beyond any expectation by both the Members States and Sector members.  It has consecrated the convergence of interests of the Government and Private Sectors and has embodied the conviction that with their joint  efforts, the development of world telecommunication will not only be easier but will be more responsive to mankind’s needs.
Based on the general discussions of my report which incorporated and synthesized contributions from ITU membership on policy and regulatory issues raised by the introduction of GMPCS, five opinions were adopted.
•	Opinion 1 deals with “the role of GMPCS in the globalization of telecommunication”
•	Opinion 2 deals with “the shared vision and principles for GMPCS”
•	Opinion 3 deals with “the essential studies by the ITU to facilitate the introduction of GMPCS”
•	Opinion 4 deals with “the establishment of a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the free circulation of GMPCS by user terminals”
•	Opinion 5 deals with “the implementation of GMPCS in developing countries”.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Within the limited time allocated to an opening statement, one cannot cover, even briefly, all the numerous activities of the ITU which might be seen as relevant to our Conference today. I believe however that it is most appropriate for me to stress here how much the year 1996 has been rich in events of importance and far reaching impact on the ITU and the telecommunication sector as a whole.  The African Regional Development Telecommunication Conference which took place in Abidjan last May, the Preparatory Meeting of the present Arab States Regional Development Telecommunication Conference held in Damascus in early June, the Abidjan and Amman Finance Colloquia held respectively in March and September, the Study Group 1 and 2 meetings in Geneva during the month of September and finally the TDAB in Geneva in October, are among the major events of this year and their outcomes are certainly of direct relevance to your work during the coming days. 
Since all these activities have been organized and carried out successfully by the BDT, I am sure that Mr. Laouyane is better suited to brief you on them.   He is certainly more competent to do so.  My “propos” here is only to mention them.
Nevertheless, before passing the floor to Mr. Laouyane let me simply end by quoting the concluding remarks I made only three weeks ago, during the GMCPS information session luncheon:
•	“It is sometimes suggested that global systems require a global regulator, and that the ITU should become a “global FCC””.
I personally do not hold this view.  As I hope the Policy Forum will demonstrate, as long as nations can continue to agree on common approaches to global problems, we can continue with things more or less as they are without new bureaucracy.  The real problem, in my mind, is more the reverse - to devolve greater degrees of responsibility to the regional and local level, within the framework of global agreements and understandings”.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The ball is now in your court....
I wish you every success in your work.
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