[Chapter-delegates] World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT)

[kummer at isoc.org]

Dear Chapter Delegates and Members,

As you may be aware, the ITU has begun preparations to revise the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) at a World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) to take place in Oct / Nov of 2012.  This will be a very important conference as we expect some Member States to propose changes to the ITRs that could expand the scope of the treaty in a way that would include a range of Internet-related topics.  The Internet Society is a Sector Member of the ITU and plans to participate actively in the preparatory process leading up to the WCIT in 2012 in order to raise awareness among delegates and explain the Internet model, the Internet ecosystem and the impact of various proposals on the global Internet.

As with past ITU conferences, ISOC will keep you informed of developments as the preparations are underway around the globe.  We will also come back to you with ideas and suggestions for ways to engage your national government as they prepare for the treaty negotiations should you wish to do so.   

We have created a website for this purpose: http://www.isoc.org/pubpolpillar/community/itr.shtml

To get us started, we have prepared and posted there a basic background piece on the International Telecommunication Regulations to give you more information on the origins of the treaty and some of the early proposals that have already come forward.

This will be a long and complex negotiation amongst ITU Member States and we believe that the global ISOC community has an important role to play to engage with governments and with other concerned organizations in ensuring that the principles of the global Internet are well understood and defended.  

Sally Wentworth, in her role as ISOC's Senior Manager for Public Policy, will be coordinating ISOC’s preparations for the WCIT.  Please contact her if you have any questions.  She will be back in touch with more information so please stay tuned. 

Best regards

Markus Kummer	 
Vice President, Public Policy
Internet Society, Geneva
Email: kummer at isoc.org		
www.isoc.org