Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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Global technology community gathers for World Conference on International
Telecommunications
Delegates from over 160 countries meet to forge new global treaty that will
set the stage for broadband boom
Dubai, 3 December, 2012 – The
World
Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12, 3-14
December) today welcomed over 1,950 delegates, who are gathering at the Dubai
World Trade Centre to renegotiate the
International
Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs), the binding global treaty
facilitating global interconnection and interoperability of information and
communication services, their efficient operation and their widespread public
availability.
The treaty sets out general principles for ensuring the free flow of
information around the world and promoting affordable and equitable access for
all.
Present at the opening of the event this morning were some 50 VIPs, including
ministers of communications, corporate CEOs, and leaders from civil society
organizations. Over the coming two weeks, delegates will debate revisions to the
current treaty to ensure it better meets the needs of tomorrow’s networks,
services and users.
Proposals before the meeting include ways to accelerate the global roll-out
of broadband; strategies to improve energy efficiency and deal with e-waste;
initiatives to improve access to technology for persons with disabilities;
mechanisms to ensure continuing investment in networks, services and
applications; measures to address the high cost of mobile roaming and taxation
of international telecommunications services; and proposals designed to promote
a harmonious and conducive international environment that drives future
innovation.
The lead-up to the conference has seen concerted lobbying from a range of
industry and civil society groups. Speaking at the opening ceremony, ITU
Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I.Touré said: “Here in Dubai, we will see friction
between minds. And as we all know, from friction comes light. That light will
help us see our common goal – to build a Knowledge Society where everyone,
whatever their circumstances, can access, use, create and share information.”
The conference is chaired by Mohamed Al Ghanim, Director-General of the
Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of UAE. Addressing delegates this
morning, Mr Al Ghanim said: “The UAE is delighted to host such an important
event in the heart of the beautiful city of Dubai. WCIT-12 is recognized
internationally as among the most important global conferences on high level ICT
policy. The preparations for this conference have taken place over several
years, and involved many contributions from ITU private sector and government
members as well as other members such as ISOC and ETNO. All contributions share
the same objective – to find the most effective approach to promoting confidence
and sustainability in the ICT Industry. I am confident that our distinguished
delegates will spare no efforts in making this conference a great success and
developing fruitful output.”
In a
video message to delegates, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
spoke of the importance of extending access to information and communication
technology to all. “In the coming days, we will revise the agreement that
underpins how we communicate with each other across the globe,” he said. “Our
overall objective must be to ensure universal access to information and
communication technology to the two-thirds of the world’s population not online.
A digital divide has no place in the information age and 21st century digital
economy. The management of information and communication technology should be
transparent, democratic and inclusive. I am gratified that you have taken steps
to open the process, including the vital voices of civil society and the private
sector ... the right to communicate is essential to the ITU’s mission.”
In the run-up to WCIT-12, the ITU
World
Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-12) revised and
adopted Resolution 69 on Non-discriminatory access and use of Internet resources
recommending that ITU’s 193 Member States refrain from taking any unilateral
and/or discriminatory actions that could impede another Member State from
accessing public Internet sites and using resources, within the spirit of
Article 1
of the ITU Constitution and the principles set out during the
2003/2005 World Summit on
the Information Society. Dr Touré said the Resolution sends a
strong message to the international community supporting and defending freedom
of speech.
At a press briefing on Friday ahead of the WCIT-12 event, Dr Touré also spoke
out against recent actions to curb access to communication networks in Syria.
“One year ago we were among the first to express the same concerns in Egypt and
before that in Myanmar. I take the opportunity to remind all governments that
Article 33 of the ITU Constitution, which applies to our
193 Member States, including Syria, protects the freedom to communicate and the
right to respect people’s need to access critical communications
infrastructures,” he said.
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Live and archived multilingual webcasts of the WCIT-12 opening ceremony,
opening press conference and all meetings of the conference Plenary and
Committee 5 over the coming two weeks are available at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/webcast.aspx
From Tuesday 4 December, ITU will host a daily media briefing with the ITU
Secretary-General and other key officials recapping each day’s discussions.
These briefings will take place at 18:00 local Dubai time, accessible on any
computer via the Adobe Connect platform at:
http://itu.adobeconnect.com/wcit2012/
Speeches and other information can be found on the main WCIT-12 Newsroom at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/newsroom.aspx
A 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
View videos from the meeting and download broadcast quality video footage at:
www.itu.int/en/newsroom/Pages/videos.aspx
Photos from the meeting can be downloaded at:
www.flickr.com/photos/itupictures/sets/72157632073685626/
The main conference preparatory documents can be found at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/documents.aspx
The current ITRs can be found at:
www.itu.int/oth/T3F01000001
Note to editors:
ITU is unique within the UN family in having some 700 Sector Members (mainly
from the private sector) in addition to 193 Member States. All have been
actively engaged in the WCIT-12 preparatory process, which has been underway for
some years. In addition, ITU set up
a public
consultation website open to all stakeholders in six languages
(total of 31 submissions received between 15 August-7 November, of which 29
published [and 2 rejected because of unauthorized hyperlinks]). ITU has also
held four global briefings (supporting remote participation from anywhere around
the world) open to media, analysts and civil society: those held using Adobe
Connect are archived at:
http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-briefings.aspx.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Conneally
Head, Communications & Partnership Promotion, ITU
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Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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Gary Fowlie
Head, ITU
liaison Office to the United Nations
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Zara Nazim
Raee PR
Dubai Media City
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Sana Al-Lababidi
Raee PR
Dubai Media City
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Noora Al Ameri
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
United Arab Emirates
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Noor M. Shamma
Media Relations Manager
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
United Arab Emirates
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Note for media: please register in ITU’s video
newsroom for access to broadcast quality footage and news packages at
www.itu.int/en/newsroom/Pages/videos.aspx.
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