<BR>
<P>Many thanks to Renate for her interventions during this important meeting and to Philippe for his valuable report on it.</P>
<P>In fact statements and opinions expressed by ITU Members (especially Member States) reveal a kind of "Fort Knox" syndrom that opposes strongly on any opening of the Agency to CS people. Therefore I'm -and we all are- thankful to Switzerland to fully support the idea of opening the ITU to CS organisations.</P>
<P>It is an actual paradox to see the ITU struggle for saving its organisation, and some of its members strongly supporting this conservative line. The UN agency is on the verge of financial bankruptcy due to the miserliness of its Members, States as well as private sector, refusing to augment their membership fees (I refer to the calamitous debate during the Marrakech Plenipotentiary Conference), and therefore leaving the ITU obviously unable to meet its commitments in the WSIS follow-up. In effect, the lack of financial and human resources led to firing some 120 ITU staff members in the last three years and reduced accordingly the presence and activity of the Union in the field especially in DCs. So they do need some "external human resourres" and actual skills for trying to respect their commitments especially in the Action plan lines, in parralel to other commitments they are engaged in such as the "Istanbul Action Plan. Undoubfly, opening ITU to the CS organisaétions, particularly those involved in the ITC for Development domain, is probably the best answer for solvng these issues. This opening should however be completed by the creation of an "ITU Voluntary Corps" which would involve its numerous experts and consultants who would be willing to contribute to the achievement of some special goals such as access and infrastructure in DCs. At least these "very concrete" considerations should be in the heart of the debate during the 23-24 february meeting it is is to be really openminded.</P>
<P>Best regards and once again many thanks for your activity and information.</P>
<P>Jean-Louis Fullsack <BR><BR><BR></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #ff0000 2px solid">> Message du 02/02/06 17:27<BR>> De : "CONGO - Philippe Dam" <WSIS@IPROLINK.CH><BR>> A : plenary@wsis-cs.org, bureau@wsis-cs.org<BR>> Copie à : rbloem@ngocongo.org<BR>> Objet : [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU reform consultation (1 Feb. 2006)<BR>> <BR>>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear all, <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Please find below a summary of the discussion during the consultation on ITU Reform (1 February 2006, ITU, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>). With regard to better inclusion of civil society in the work of the ITU and although some delegations and Chairman Grin showed their reticence towards any change for better inclusiveness, two ideas were brought into the discussion:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 53.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Opening up of sector membership within ITU-D to civil society with no or much lower fees (Private sector, NGOs, and at the end of the meeting <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 53.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore">-<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New modalities for participation or consultation beyond / in addition to existing modalities for ITU membership (NGOs, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Information on this meeting: <A href="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html">http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html</A><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">, <A href="http://www.itu.int/reform">http://www.itu.int/reform</A> </SPAN></FONT> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The on-line forum will remain open to collect new ideas on this issue (<A href="http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0">http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0</A>). <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best regards<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Consultation on ITU Reform<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU Council WG on WSIS<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">1 February 2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A few delegations expressed some general comments at the beginning of the meeting. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> mentioned that WSIS would impact on the evolution of ITU terms of reference. New approaches should be considered for tackling WSIS action lines, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> insisted on the need to broaden ITU’s mandate to replicate all WSIS issues under the ITU. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> later on also stated that Internet Governance issues should also be dealt with by the ITU. Ambassador Karklins answered to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> that ITU should focus on its own mandate for themes and actions lines, though playing an important role in the implementation and follow-up process, based on ITU Council Decisions. He highlighted the need for deeper interactions to be established with civil society, NGOs and the private sector. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Renate Bloem"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Renate Bloem</SPAN></FONT></st1:PersonName><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> (Conference of NGOs) drew attention to the last-minute possibility for some non-ITU member NGO representatives to attend the meeting, stressing their willingness to also be much more deeply involved in this overall reflection on ITU reform. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> answered that non State actors are already involved in the work of the ITU through Sector membership for more than 600 entities, <I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">provided that they pay their dues</SPAN></I>. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU Vital Activities<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There is quite an agreement to recognise that, although ITU-T (Telecommunication Standardisation) and ITU-R (Radio-communication) should not be abandoned, WSIS would have a strong impact on the work of <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ITU-D (Development)</SPAN></B>, taking into account the provisions of WSIS outcomes and reconsidering the structures of this sector. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> proposed that ITU-D should also deal with processing, in addition to infrastructures, and stressed that ITU-D should be in charge of Action Line 5 on security. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Vanuatu</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> stressed ITU-D role in bridging the digital divide. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Canada</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place> pointed out the <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">member driven</SPAN></B> approach and the importance of ITU member inputs. <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> mentioned that a strong reference should be given to <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">paragraph 64 of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place> Declaration</SPAN></B> of Principles to define the up-coming core activities of the ITU. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU member Private Sector (Cisco System, Compass Rose) and non-for-profit (AfriNIC) highlighted the need for more strengthened <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">relationships with other actors</SPAN></B> in the post-WSIS environment with private sector, small companies, civil society and NGOs to increase the <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">inclusiveness and cooperation</SPAN></B> in the vital activities of the Union. On the question of membership fees, Compass Rose called for more consideration to the financial situation of potential members: ITU-D is a portal for sector members from developing countries, gender agencies, youth organisations, so that a new participation approach should be made more affordable for all and more efficient. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU activities that must be cutback</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Only minor activities should be abandoned, in line with the content of the ITU strategic, operational and financial plan to be adopted at the next Plenipotentiary Conference. Lower priority issues as established in this strategic plan would have to automatically be abandoned by the ITU, depending on available resources. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Civil society participation</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The first delegations to take the floor expressed their preference for a statu quo. Indeed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> mentioned that ITU is already open to all legal entities, and that non members could also participate through their national delegations. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> proposed that all civil society should appear under the appellation of sector members as well, with the same conditions for membership, including ITU rules for fee exemption when applicable. Max-Henri Cadet, head of ITU External Affairs Unit, clarified the various memberships and related fees (4.000 CHF for ITU-D Sector members, 2.000 CHF for ITU-D associate members) and the conditions for fees exemption (the entity must represent a specific value for the ITU), as well as why it is a ‘<I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">good investment</SPAN></I>’ for civil society to become ITU member. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Renate Bloem"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Renate Bloem</SPAN></FONT></st1:PersonName><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> underlined the change which had come to the ITU being the leading agency in the WSIS process and embracing the new multi-stakeholder approach. This approach was the logical consequence of former UN World Conferences of the 90ies, each time more open, reflecting thus a change of mindset in society and to some extent of the UN, as pointed out by Kofi Annan last week in Davos<FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">.</SPAN></FONT> The WSIS process had clearly raised the expectations of CS to also engage with the ITU in all follow up mechanisms. In order to do this the ITU needs to adopt some consultative arrangement with CS similar to other agencies. Membership fees – even the lowest – are still out of range for most of CS. The ITU, in wanting to help bridge the digital divide, would gain from civil society expertise on the ground and also from technical expertise in many areas. After WSIS it would be quite anachronistic for the ITU to fall back into its old patterns. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Switzerland</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region></st1:place><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> supported that point of view, stressing ITU should find its own way for civil society participation, taking into account ITU financial problems and in accordance with ITU rules. Civil society approach could indeed allow for more concrete and efficient projects for ITU. Chairman Grin distinguished CS in WSIS implementation and CS in core ITU sectors. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place> took the floor a second time to clarify that civil society views would be more useful in societal issues, which are more concentrated within ITU-D, whereas the other ITU sectors are much more technical in nature. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> also proposed to evaluate further possibilities to better involve in WSIS implementation, which could be limited to ITU-D sector. WSIS implementation activities should also reinforce ITU capacity to build networks. Compass Rose (Private Sector) also supported a broader opening of at least ITU-D to civil society and small companies. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">William Drake (CPSR) highlighted that ITU is the only organisation both within and outside of the UN where civil society has so many access problems. He stressed that ITU membership should actually be changed in terms of fees and criteria. However civil society entities do not only want to be sector members but would like to be able to come in workshops and conferences as observers in a more flexible way, without having any additional cost for the ITU. AfriNIC also supported additional ways of participation for civil society, beyond the current membership. That is what Chairman Grin interpreted as a willingness to <I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">participate without obligation</SPAN></I>. However the discussion opened some alternative options to membership for participation of civil society. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Change in the name of ITU<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Syria</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> supported the change of ITU name, as proposed by the Arab Group, to adapt to new realities of the expended role of the organisation. But there was no support for such an initiative, because of the cost it would imply and the questioning of ITU well-established <I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">trademark</SPAN></I>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">External aspect: ITU activities to implement <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Summit</st1:City></st1:place> decisions</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Syria</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region></st1:place><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> proposed that ITU should more focus on internet issues, because member states should play a leading role in this area. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> suggested the organization of an ITU Internet Forum in April 2007 about the role of governments in the internet governance. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There is a general agreement that ITU should have a leading role in only implementing the Action Lines and themes as defined on the Annex to the Tunis Agenda (<st1:City w:st="on">Cisco</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>). The ITU work program should reflect these key areas on specific projects that can be implemented with the available budget (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Alcatel</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>). Ambassador Karklins (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region></st1:place>) insisted on the fact that ITU should not impose its leading role on issues which naturally belong to other organisations, but contribute and collaborate with international agencies. Referring to the up-coming meeting on 24 February, he also stressed that ITU should not infringe on the establishment of the leading facilitating role to be played by the ITU, UNESCO and UNDP, to be set up by the UN SG, and on the ECOSOC activities, which only belongs to member States. Chairman Grin, answering this remark, noticed that ITU, UNESCO and UNDP were asked by the UN SG to hold some consultation about that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">At the end of the meeting, Max-Henri Cadet announced the on-line open consultation forum would remain active for additional comments on the ITU reform from non ITU members. The ITU Secretariat will therefore continue to collect ideas in this regard, until better solution for civil society participation would be established within the ITU structures.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Philippe Dam<BR>> <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = U1 /><U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><?xml:namespace prefix = u3 /><u3:country-region u1:insAuthor="Inter" u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter" u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z"><u3:place u1:insAuthor="Inter" u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter" u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z">CONGO -</u3:place></u3:country-region> WSIS CS Secretariat <BR>> </U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"></U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><st1:place w:st="on"></st1:place><st1:country-region w:st="on"></st1:country-region>11, Avenue de <U1:PERSONNAME ProductID="la Paix" u2:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="la Paix" ns1_x003a_ProductID="la Paix">la Paix</U1:PERSONNAME></st1:PersonName><BR>> CH-1202 <U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:CITY u2:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</U1:CITY></U1:PLACE></st1:place></st1:City><BR>> Tel: +41 22 301 1000<BR>> Fax: +41 22 301 2000<BR>> E-mail: </SPAN></FONT></B><A title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"><B><FONT title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">wsis@ngocongo.org</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B></A><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR>> Website: </SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A title=http://www.ngocongo.org href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org"><FONT title=http://www.ngocongo.org color=navy><SPAN title=http://www.ngocongo.org><SPAN lang=FR style="COLOR: navy">www.ngocongo.org</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A></SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=red size=3><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: red; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Conference of NGOs (<U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>) is an international, membership association that facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, <U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>'s major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. For more information see our website at <A title=http://www.ngocongo.org/ href="blocked::http://www.ngocongo.org/" target=_blank>www.ngocongo.org</A></SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT color=red><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: red"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>><BR>> [ Consultation on ITU Reform 1-2-2006.doc (50.6 Ko) ]</BLOCKQUOTE>