Doc. Com-ITU(13) 056
ComITU
Belgrade, Serbia
28-29.11.2013
Date issued:
25 November 2013
Source:
Poland
Subject:
Establishment of enhanced and formal coordination mechanism concerning
development projects in the field of telecommunications between ITU and the
European Union.
Password protection? (Yes/No) N
Summary: As a follow up to discussions held at the RPM, Poland would like to further the debate
on the cooperation between ITU-D and European Union.
Proposal:
For adoption.
Background:
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Background
The International Telecommunication Union in general, and Development Bureau in particular, possesses
institutional capacity and knowledge regarding successful implementation of ICT projects. A big portfolio
of ITU-D’s completed projects proves the great advisory capacity of this institution.
The European Union funds development projects in the field of ICT in Europe as well as in LDCs. The
EU as a whole remains the world’s largest donor of official development assistance, collectively
providing EUR 55.2 billion in 2012. Using the sectoral breakdown in the field of economic infrastructures
and services such as: transport, communications and energy the Commission has spent 1 275 million €.
Within the new financial framework for 2014-2020 it is foreseen that the European Union will spend
1,025 billion € on development aid.
There is already a great example of successful cooperation within ICT by ITU and EU – the HIPSSA
project. ITU and the European Union joined their efforts in a global project which aimed at providing
“Support for the establishment of harmonized policies for the ICT market in the ACP states”1. HIPSSA
responded to regulatory challenges met by beneficiary countries in their attempts to create a conducive
environment for massive investments in ICT infrastructures and applications. The global objective was to
provide support to creating harmonized policies for ICT for each beneficiary country in Sub-Sahara
Africa. Around 40 beneficiary countries were involved in realization of this project, as well as institutions
such as: ECOWAS, African Union, African Telecommunication Union, World Bank.
The cooperation should be facilitated as both institutions share the same objectives and goals in the ICT
development, i.e.: promotion of broadband through abolishment of regulatory and legal/administrative
barriers to the infrastructure development, capacity and institution building, promotion of market access,
competition and consumer protection.
Description of the proposal:
Bringing the following proposal to discussion, Poland would like to recall that one of ITU-D objectives
deriving from ITU-D rolling operation plan for 2012-2015 is: “To assist the membership in maximizing
the utilization of appropriate new technologies, including broadband, to develop their telecommunication/
ICT infrastructures and services, and to design and deploy resilient telecommunication/ICT network
infrastructures.”
Successful realization of big ICT projects requires financial, human and institutional resources of the
highest quality. Taking into consideration that ITU is the world leading ICT organisation, its expertise in
this field might constitute important additional value for the project realized by the European Union.
Poland believes that combining ITU expertise in the field of telecommunications and direct projects
financed by the EU could mutually strengthen both organizations and help to achieve their goals. The
overlap of works can only be avoided when both institutions cooperate closely. It should be underlined
that proposed solution could help to achieve the CEPT general principles for WTDC, i.e.: deployment of
networks, promotion of good regulatory measures relevant for the development of telecommunications
and empowering society by capacity and institutional building.
The Republic of Poland proposes that WTDC-14 considers to instruct BDT Director to develop the
initiative and reach out to the European Union with this proposal.
Financial implications for the ITU
Poland believes that implementation of this proposal would not generate additional costs for ITU budget.
The travel expenses of BDT and its staff may increase, however, the effect could be mitigated with the
use of virtual participation tools and ICTs.
Therefore, the Republic of Poland proposes WTDC-14, to approve the following resolution:
1
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
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Proposal for new RESOLUTION (WTDC-14)
Establishment of coordination mechanism concerning development projects in the field of
telecommunications between ITU and European Union.
Recalling:
-
art. 21 b) of ITU’s Constitution stating that one of ITU-D functions is to promote,
especially by means of partnership, the development, expansion and operation of
telecommunications networks and services, particularly in developing countries;
-
art. 21 d) of ITU’s Constitution stating that one of ITU-D functions is to mobilize the
resources to provide assistance in the field of telecommunications to developing countries;
Recognizing:
-
that ITU is the world leading intergovernmental organization in the field of ICT;
-
that ITU possesses institutional and human resources of the highest quality as well as
significant competence in implementation of ICT projects;
-
that the European Union is engaged in a number of projects regarding ICT in LDCs;
-
that there is already a great record of successful cooperation within the scopes of ICTs by
ITU and the European Union;
-
that due to the economic constraints caused by the financial crisis special measures are
required to conduct projects in more efficient and agile manner;
-
that merging financial, human and institutional capacities of both institutions will prove to
be even more effective in delivering ICT projects in LDCs;
-
that both institutions share the same objectives and goals in the ICTs’ development, i.e.:
promotion of broadband through abolishment of regulatory and legal obstacles to the
infrastructure development, capacity and institution building, promotion of market access,
competition and consumer protection.
Resolves:
-
to reach out to the European Union with proposal of bilateral cooperation in this field;
Encourages Member States:
-
to reach out to European Union to foster the enhanced and formal collaboration with ITU.
– Instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau:
-
where appropriate, to foster enhanced and formal cooperation between on-going ITU-EC
projects,
-
to examine this proposal and prepare legal, financial and strategic mechanism of potential
cooperation;
-
to cooperate with the European Union in order to fulfil ITU-D goals and objectives in
cooperation and financial assistance of the European Union;
-
report annually back to the ITU Council regarding implementation of the resolution.
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