Policy Statement by H.E. Datuk Amar Leo Moggie,
Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia
Reforming ITU - Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century
Mr. Chairman, let me congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this
16th Plenipotentiary Meeting of the ITU.
- Also, I would like to congratulate the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) under the stewardship of Secretary-General Utsumi for
successfully convening the 16th ITU Plenipotentiary Conference here in
Marrakech. Let me also express my sincere appreciations to the Government
and people of the Kingdom of Morocco for the excellent arrangements made for
hosting this very significant conference.
- Since its inception more than 130 years ago, the ITU has played a pivotal
role in promoting dialogue and harnessing consensus on critical issues
concerning the development of the global telecommunication sector. As we
move into the new millennium, the advent of convergence in technology and
services will bring about rapid and drastic changes not only to the
telecommunication sector worldwide, but also the economic and social
well-being of people from the developed and developing economies. The
process of globalization, spurred by the rapid development of ICT, has led
to increasing flow of information and knowledge affecting how people live
and work, and how global economy functions.
- The challenge is how countries adapt to these changes. From Malaysia's own
experience in moving towards a knowledge-based economy, allow me to
emphasize the urgent need to create a robust and vibrant policy and
regulatory framework in the communications sector that embraces technology
convergence. A policy framework that reflects technological advancements and
new services, will serve as the catalyst for stimulating the growth and the
development of not only the ICT industry, but the overall economy of a
country.
- However, there are a number of challenges that must be addressed. A
significant number of people still do not have access to basic
communications infrastructure. For the developing economies, the biggest
challenge will undoubtedly be, in narrowing the digital divide, without
which any attempt to forge a knowledge-based economy and society will be
futile. Within country, wireless technology will play an increasing role in
providing access and connectivity. It is therefore important that developing
countries participate actively in all the decision-making processes of the
ITU relevant to the applications of frequencies: be it with the setting of
standards or with the allocation of frequencies.
- Emerging issues arising from the proliferation of Internet and online
services also require urgent attention of ITU. This includes the need to
address the call for greater info-security; to arrest the misuse of the
Internet, and the issue of domain name that gives assurance of maintaining
national sovereignty in a globalized world.
- A resolution was passed at the last Plenipotentiary Conference to
implement processing charges for satellite network filings submitted to the
Radiocommunication Bureau after 7 November 1998. Consequently, the Council
at its 1999 session approved a decision on the implementation of cost
recovery for satellite filings. However, it is imperative to note that when
applying the principle of cost-recovery, due considerations must be given to
the needs and capability of countries in paying the cost, to ensure that it
will not impede the development of satellite communication services in these
countries.
- ICT and particularly, the Internet, is becoming an important means for
countries to enhance their socio-economic well-being including in education,
healthcare and the public services. However, developing countries are
finding it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the advances in ICT
because of the heavy upfront financial requirements to put in place the
necessary bandwidth, technology and the related software. In this regard,
industry should recognize the potential of economies of scale and give
support through cheaper infrastructure and software costs. There is also a
need for a fair and supportive Internet charging arrangement between the
developed and developing economies.
- The digital divide between member states will be further aggravated unless
we can address these challenges.
- In this context, the ITU reform must go beyond just addressing management
issues. ITU must begin to play a more active policy and developmental role,
taking cognizance of regional views when formulating policies to address
global issues.
- Increasing its regional presence is yet another area that we hope ITU can
give greater emphasis to. For effective implementation of ITU's work
programmes, there is a need to have greater decentralization and a more
active role at the regional levels. This could be achieved through giving
greater autonomy for regional offices and empowering them to promote closer
integration with other regional telecommunications organizations and forums.
- Finally, I wish to reiterate that Malaysia is committed to share and
co-operate with the ITU secretariat and the regional offices to make ITU an
eminent international body that plays an important role in enhancing
development of all member countries. We have put in place a policy framework
for convergence and leverage on the ICT in our effort to uplift the social
and economic well-beings of our people. We have seen some moderate success.
We would be most happy to share our experience with our fellow ITU members.
Mr. Chairman, it is for this reason that Malaysia is offering its' candidacy
as a member of the ITU Council.
Thank you very much.
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