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<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Dear Members,<o:p></o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The Internet Society is
preparing its engagement in the fifth ITU World Telecommunication Policy Forum
(WTPF) that will be held in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:City>
from 13 to 16 May 2013. At this stage we would like to share an information
document (attached) we have prepared that gives an overview of this conference,
its preparatory process and schedule. Engagement with ISOC Membership will be
an important part of our preparation. <o:p></o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Next week, in a letter
to the ITU’s Secretary General, the Internet Society will reiterate its
desire to join the WTPF’s Informal Expert Group (IEG) which will be
appointed to prepare the Forum. </span></font></tt>With regards to the theme of
the Forum, several delegations have contributed suggestions for themes or
opinions that the WTPF should consider. The Internet Society is
considering proposing that “<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Internet
Connectivity</span></b>” be chosen as the main theme and core topic for
the Secretary General’s initial report and as the focus for discussions
at the fifth WTPF in 2013. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Experience in
participating in the 2009 WTPF shows that input from sector members is, to some
degree, less taken into consideration by the Secretariat than Member
States’ contributions. However, our past submissions were highly valued
by many Member States’ delegations. <o:p></o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The first meeting of the
WTPF Informal Expert Group will be held on 5 June, in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Geneva</st1:place></st1:City>, where we expect the theme of the
Forum to be decided. Following this meeting, it will be possible to provide
comments and suggestions on the organization of the Forum and the topics open
for discussion. At </span></font></tt>that<tt><font face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'> time, we will consult with members,
chapter delegates</span></font></tt>, and other stakeholders <tt><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>with
specific knowledge or expertise on the final theme chosen. We look forward to
working with you on this project. </span></font></tt><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><tt><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></tt></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><u><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Useful link:<o:p></o:p></span></font></u></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Fifth ITU WTPF: <a
href="http://www.itu.int/en/wtpf-13/Pages/default.aspx">http://www.itu.int/en/wtpf-13/Pages/default.aspx</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>First draft of ITU Secretary General’s report: <a
href="http://www.itu.int/en/wtpf-13/Pages/report-sg.aspx">http://www.itu.int/en/wtpf-13/Pages/report-sg.aspx</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thank you and best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Constance Bommelaer<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Director, Public Policy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Internet Society<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.isoc.org/">www.isoc.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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