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Commonwealth Nations Gear Up for International Telecommunications Conference

19 August 2004

An international seminar to prepare Commonwealth countries for the 2004 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-04) is taking place in Melbourne, Australia.

The Commonwealth is committed to bridging the digital divide.

The 'Commonwealth Seminar for WTSA-04' from 16 to 20 August 2004 involves ministers of information and communications technology, regulators, fixed and mobile telephone operators, internet service providers and manufacturers. They represent 31 countries that will be sending delegations to the WTSA-04 in Brazil in October.

"This preparatory seminar provides an ideal environment for organisations and decision-makers to network with partners and counterparts from the six continents represented at the event. It also gives them the opportunity to learn how their peers in Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Europe are preparing to have their views heard at WTSA-04," said Nick Cabrera, Director of Business Development at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). 

WTSA is held every four years. It defines general policy and adopts working methods and procedures for the International Telecommunication Union -- an organisation within the United Nations system where governments and the private sector co-ordinate global telecom networks and services. 

The Commonwealth conference is a response to a resolution adopted at 2000 WTSA in Montreal, Canada, calling for greater participation from developing countries in telecommunications standardisation activities and for greater involvement in WTSA itself.  

"This request can be fulfilled only if these developing countries are given adequate and timely access to information and international networking opportunities in order to prepare for the Assembly," Mr Cabrera said. 

The Melbourne seminar has been jointly organised by the London-based CTO and the Australian Communications Authority.  

The CTO is an intergovernmental organisation of the 53 Commonwealth member countries. It aims to support the UN Millennium Development Goals by bridging the technological divide between developed and developing nations.