[Chapter-delegates] Good news for Isoc

[Markus Kummer]

Hi Veni,

Indeed, we were very pleased by the decision of CEPT's Com-ITU to invite us to all its meetings until after WTPF.  This is very much part of our overall WCIT strategy.  We have been taking part in every regional WCIT preparatory process and we made reports of these meetings available on our dedicated WCIT lists (and of course we will also make a report of the Copenhagen meeting available soon.) These regional processes are very important, as much of the substance that will be discussed at the WCIT will have found its way into the final treaty text through the regional output documents. 

There is no one size fits all model for our participation. In some cases this required a more formal membership arrangement, while in others this was done in a more informal way. When we approached CEPT late last year, the Com-ITU Chair invited us to participate as his personal guests. Nicolas took part in a meeting of a drafting group in Biel/Bienne (Switzerland) in early February and last week Nicolas and I attended the Com-ITU meeting in Copenhagen where this relationship was formalized and ISOC - along with RIPE NCC and ICANN  - was officially invited to attend all future meetings. However, the Com-ITU preferred keeping a more informal arrangement, as an official observer status would have required a more formal decision and some contractual arrangement in form of an exchange of letters. 

This is fine with us, as it is more important to be able to give a direct input than to have an official observer status. We can participate in Com-ITU meetings  and we will have with speaking rights. (We  made use of this opportunity last week to recall the importance of multistakeholder cooperation in cyber-security matters, based on the WSIS acquis.)  However, we have to accept that some meetings will be closed and not open to invited guests. It is understood that the invitation was extended to ISOC HQ. The arrangement will be revisited after the WTPF.

The Com-ITU is an intergovernmental body and we have to abide by their rules. These rules do not leave much scope for Chapter involvement, as the documents under discussion are not in the public domain.The best way for chapters to engage is through their contacts with national governments. 

We will have an opportunity to discuss how best to be part of the WCIT preparatory process at the Chapter workshop at the global INET.

Best regards
Markus 

On Apr 6, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Veni Markovski wrote:

> I got a word from the Bulgarian ministry of communications that Isoc was given an observer status at the COM-ITU. www.cept.org/com-itu
> Congratulations!
> 
> I'd like to remind you that Isoc-poland (Marcin) was at one of the com-ITU meetings few months ago, but now it is for all of Isoc. Would be good to hear from HQ if they plan on introducing European chapters to that group of experts and officials? I'm sure some of the cheaters are not only interested in the topic, but could contribute a bit. 
> 
> Best,
> Veni
> 
> 
> -- 
> Best,
> Veni
> == Sent from my phone, so any spelling mistakes are caused by the touchscreen keyboard. That's a nice excuse, isn't it;-)
> _______________________________________________
> Chapter-delegates mailing list
> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates