Policy Statement
Germany
Deputy Director-General, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
First of all,
please allow me
to congratulate
you - Mr.
Chairman - on
your election as
chair of the
ITU
Plenipotentiary
Conference. I am
convinced that -
under your
competent
chairmanship -
we will achieve
the objectives
of this
conference
successfully and
efficiently.
I am particularly grateful to the Mexican government for taking on the task of organising this important conference.
My delegation and I have already had the opportunity to enjoy your hospitality in the past days, for instance at the reception by the Mexican government! Thank you so much for that!
Germany is one of the founding members of the ITU and as such has contributed to shaping the organisation since its inception. Solving complex technical issues, balancing political interests and international solidarity have always been the core objectives of the ITU.
Even today, in an entirely different environment, these targets are still valid.
During the first years of the ITU until a bit more than 10 years ago, telecommunications was exclusively a government matter in nearly all countries. Today, however, telecommunication networks and services are mainly offered by private companies.
Of course, these
changes in the
division of
labour between
governments and
companies have
had an impact on
intergovernmental
organisations
like the ITU.
While in the
past,
governments were
able to
determine
operational
demands and
standards and,
consequently,
could
decide on the
introduction of
new services,
today it is the
companies which
take these
decisions.
In this changed environment, the new role of governments and thus of the ITU is no longer to focus on operational issues but to create framework conditions. In addition, there is a large number of private and governmental organisations which work on specific telecommunications issues. Therefore, it is not enough for governments to be engaged in intergovernmental organisations like the ITU. In order to appropriately represent their interests, they must also work with private sector-led organisations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
since the advent of telephony in the late 19th century until the eighties of last century, telecommunications was almost synonymous with telephony.
This has changed dramatically in the past ten to fifteen years.
Today, communications are of a higher quality and, at the same time, are available in a greater variety and at much lower fees.
This a big success for all of us who made these improvements possible!
Ladies and Gentleman,
Germany has worked within the ITU for over 130 years and we want to continue this tradition in the coming four years.
Germany is therefore candidate for the ITU Council for Region B. In this regard, I kindly ask you to place your trust in us.