The Com-ITU Plenary met on 26-28 April 2016 in Lucerne, Switzerland under the chairmanship of Manuel da Costa Cabral (Portugal). Around 45 participants attended the meeting, representing 18 CEPT countries, the European Commission, ECO, ITU, CITEL and observers.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB), who highlighted the key objectives of the WTSA-16 and exchanged views with Com-ITU participants on the coming challenges for ITU-T.

ITU-T Activities – Preparation for WTSA-16

PT ITU-T held a one-day meeting mainly devoted to the preparation of the WTSA-16 and submitted its results to Com-ITU.

As a result, Com-ITU approved the first set of ECPs together with the cover page of the CEPT contribution for WTSA-16 as follows:

• ECP on principles for the review of ITU-T. This general ECP will be followed by other ECPs containing concrete proposals.
• ECP on Strategic and Structural Review of ITU-T: Suppression of Res 82 on ITU-T RevCom and revision to Resolution 22 to reinforce the role of TSAG;
• ECP proposing no change to Recommendation ITU-T A.7 on the establishment of focus groups;
• ECP containing a revision of Resolution 68 on the role of the industry in the ITU-T and on CTO (chief technology officer) group.

  This first set of ECPs will be sent to CEPT administrations for signature (up to 27^th of May).

PT ITU-T continued its considerations on draft ECPs addressing in particular the following topics:

• The internet and cyber Resolutions of WTSA (Resolutions 47, 48, 50, 52, 58, 62, 64, 69, 75)
• Detailed proposals for restructuring of ITU-T Study Groups (including revision of Resolution 2)
• Numbering issues: proposed revisions to Resolutions 20, 29, 60, 61, 65 and 40

  These draft ECPS together with the draft CEPT brief will be further developed at the physical PT ITU-T meeting scheduled in Mainz, 21-22 June 2016.

ITU-D activities- Preparation for WTDC-17

• Com-ITU confirmed the creation of a new Project Team for WTDC-17 preparations (including relevant TDAG activities) and agreed the corresponding terms of reference.
• Com-ITU appointed Paulius Vaina, Lithuania, as chairman of the new Project Team.

Preparation to ITU Council 2016

• General support was expressed within Com-ITU on the recommendations developed by the CWGs on ITU’s Headquarters premises (CWG HQP), and in particular for the preferred option, i.e. the replacement of Varembé with a larger building, to also house the facilities of the Tower including its conference rooms.
• Com-ITU discussed and noted the draft notes proposed by UK on the ITU cooperation with the DONA Foundation in the context of the Digital Object Architecture.
• Com-ITU considered the outcome from the relevant CWGs on a range of other topics such as to the possible charging for International Numbering Resources (INRs), the ITR (International Telecommunications Regulations), Internet governance…
• Com-ITU took note of the views expressed by ECC/CPG with regard to the organization of WRC-19 and invited the CEPT members of the ITU Council to support them at the Council.

Other business

• Com-ITU had a first discussion on a draft LoU. Additional consideration is required.

Next Meetings:

Com-ITU: 6-9 September 2016, ECO, Copenhagen.

PT ITU-T: 21-22 June 2016, Mainz.