Efficiency measures

The Secretariat presented document C16/45, updating the ADM on the implementation of efficiency measures as outlined in Dec. 5 Annex 2 (Rev. Busan, 2014). A number of Councillors commended the Secretariat and expressed appreciation of its efforts in generating considerable savings. Councillors further encouraged the Secretariat to continue its efforts, focusing inter alia on the size of documents and cost of translation, the number and duration of meetings, paperless documentation, and a reduction in the number of consultants.
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Malcolm Johnson, the Deputy Secretary-General, thanked Councillors for their comments, and committed to continuing efforts in achieving further savings, noting that ways of increasing revenues would also be pursued.

ADM recommended that Council note the report.

Inter-sectoral coordination

Malcolm Johnson, the Deputy Secretary-General, presented document C16/38 concerning the progress of the coordination efforts among the Secretariat and the membership (Res. 191). Along with the ongoing work of the Secretariat’s Inter-Sector Coordination Task Force (ISC-TF), ADM was also updated on the newly-established Inter-Sectoral Coordination Team (ISCT) in areas of mutual interest among the Advisory Groups of the three Sectors, which held its first meeting in March. ADM recommended that Council note the document, and further suggestions were made for the future implementation of Res. 191.

Satellite cost recovery

BR presented the document on cost recovery for the processing of Satellite Network Filings (Dec. 482), C16/16, noting in particular the percentage of invoices issued in 2014/2015 and paid in a timely manner, amounting to 99%. ADM recommended that Council note the document.

Arrears and special arrears accounts​​

The Secretariat presented the document on arrears and special arrears accounts (C16/11), thanking the United States once again for its valuable assistance in recovering more than CHF 500,000 of unpaid revenue, and encouraging other members to follow this example. ADM recommended that Council note the document; authorize the Secretary-General to write off CHF 7,244,136.88 of interest on arrears and irrecoverable debts; and adopt the draft decision in Annex B.

Kazakhstan

Third Plenary Meeting

ITU Headquarters Premises

Xavier Bellmont, Chair of CWG-HQP, presented the Group's final report C16/7, summarizing its final conclusions and recommendations with regard to the future of ITU's headquarter premises. A number of Councillors supported the recommendations, thanking the CWG Chair, as well as Switzerland for its overall support as Host Country. The Secretary-General expressed his sincere appreciation for the Councillors' collaborative spirit and the recommendations submitted, and noted the need for flexibility in terms of the detailed way forward, in order to ensure that the most feasible and cost-effective solution is adopted.

Council approved the document and instructed the Secretary-General to develop a detailed implementation plan to be presented to Council 2017. Council instructed the Secretariat to prepare a draft decision incorporating the elements of the CWG HQ recommendations and comments received.

ICT Discovery

Malcolm Johnson, the Deputy Secretary-General, presented document C16/106, outlining the current status of the ICT Discovery and its future development, especially in view of the future ITU HQ plans. Russia raised the issue of the future of ICT Discovery exhibits during the reconstruction process. The United States expressed the view that the ICT Discovery should accommodate accessibility needs, regardless of its future format. The Secretariat was encouraged to note these comments; Council then noted the report.

ITRs

The Secretariat presented document C16/66 providing background information on the status of the ITRs (rev. Dubai, 2012) and highlighting instructions received from PP-14 to convene an Expert Group on the International Telecommunication Regulations (EG-ITR), open to ITU Member States and Sector Members, with terms of reference and working methods established by Council, to review those regulations.

The United States and Russia presented contributions C16/81 and C16/90 respectively, outlining their specific proposals on the way forward, including proposed ToRs of the EG-ITR. Following the Chair's suggestion, a drafting group was set up by Fabio Bigi from Italy to further discuss the two proposals and report back to Council.

Information session on WSIS

The third day of Council 2016 started with an information session on WSIS, focusing on the 2016 WSIS Forum, which took place in Geneva from 2 to 6 May. This was the first WSIS Forum to take place following the WSIS+10 High Level Event which took place in December in New York, reaffirming the importance of the WSIS process as a very important tool in building and shaping the digital economy, and mandating the continuation of the annual WSIS Forum until 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ITU and other WSIS stakeholders have worked closely together with the UN General Assembly to ensure that WSIS is fully-aligned with the SDGs.

The 2016 WSIS Forum attracted record attendance, and saw important and insightful debates on many of the issues surrounding the growth of the information society. The organizers look forward to welcoming participants to next year's WSIS Forum, which will be taking place in Geneva from 12-16 June 2017.

Fourth Plenary Meeting

Internet activities

The first item on the morning's agenda concerned the presentation of document C16/33 covering Internet activities (Res 101, 102, 133, 180). Council was invited to note the activities in the report, and (as at Council 2015) was invited to endorse the transmission of the document, including a separate document containing the compilation of views of Council Member States, as well as the official Council summary record of the discussions related to the report, to the UN Secretary-General as a package. Council was not asked to endorse the Report itself but to endorse the transmission of the Report with the attached compilation of views of Council Member States and the related summary records as a package. Council agreed with this proposal.

The Chair of CWG-Internet presented the CWG's report, C16/51, (R 1305, R 1336, R 1344). Russia, Saudi Arabia and Rwanda presented documents C16/91, C16/92, and C16/98 respectively. A number of countries expressed appreciation for the CWG report, and for both open consultations held to date by CWG-Internet. Councillors discussed the Terms of Reference of CWG-Internet, whether the Group's mandate includes outputs, proposals or recommendations, and the participation of different stakeholders. In closing, Council noted the report and will revisit the discussion on Monday 30 May.

Connect 2020

The Secretariat presented document C16/39 on the Connect 2020 agenda for global telecommunication/ICT development (Res. 200) which was adopted by ITU Member States at PP-14 as a set of goals for global connectivity. ITU has been actively engaged in measuring, reporting and raising awareness of the Connect 2020 agenda, and reports annually to Council on progress towards achieving the Connect 2020 goals.

China presented contribution C16/86 on the promotion of global broadband accessibility and connectivity, suggesting that ITU can play a greater role and assist Member States in building a global information highway, so countries can benefit from greater availability of improved broadband infrastructure. Council noted both the report and the contribution with appreciation. The Chair invited Member States to contribute to ITU's work on bridging the digital divide and through the WTDC.

WSIS

Vladimir Minkin, the Chair of WG-WSIS, presented the group's report, C16/8(Res 140, 172, R 1244, R 1281, R 1332, R 1334(MOD), summarizing the meetings held on 29-30 September 2015 and 18-19 February 2016. WG-WSIS has identified linkages between the WSIS process and the SDGs.

The United States presented contribution C16/84 on the implementation of WSIS outcomes, noting that it was pleased by the conclusion of the WSIS ten-year review, and looks forward to discussing ITU's role in the overall review of the implementation of WSIS outcomes.

Russia presented contribution C16/87 on ITU's role in implementing the WSIS outcomes after 2015, and its contribution to the achievement of goals and targets for the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. A drafting group was established to consider modifications to Res. 1332, and the potential suppression of Res. 1334.

ICTs for SDGs

The General Secretariat presented document C16/58, covering 'ICTs in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – Implications for ITU'.

2015 was a milestone year for the UN, as the MDGs concluded and the SDGs were adopted in the universal, aspirational and transformational 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by all countries. Technology in general, and ICTs in particular, play a key role in improving development outcomes. There are direct references to ICTs in four SDG goals and corresponding targets and indicators.

ITU has actively contributed to meeting its obligations and duties as a member of the UN system, within its mandate. The report notes the work carried out by ITU and its relevance to achieving the SDGs. The ITU Secretary-General has sent a circular letter to Member States, and established an inter-sectoral team. ITU has updated the roadmap and developed a SDG Mapping Tool prototype.

This report provides a brief summary of the post-2015 development framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and identifies the references to ICTs in the new agenda, their strategic importance as a means of implementation, and implications for the work and role of ITU in its implementation, follow-up, and review.

The United States presented contribution C16/75 on the role of the ITU in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, highlighting the importance of work related to implementation of the 2030 agenda.

Councillors were invited to consider a possible new Resolution on the SDGs; because of some interlinkages with WSIS, this work was allocated to an ad hoc drafting group to consider formulating one or two draft Council Resolutions.​