Yearbook of the United Nations, 2002. Part 6, Intergovernmental organizations related to the United Nations. Chapter 11, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Abstract

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) continued in 2002 to promote development and efficient operation of telecommunication systems and to provide technical assistance. At its annual session (Geneva, 22 April–3 May), the ITU Council discussed, among other issues, ITU reform, the 2003-2007 ITU draft financial plan, the World Summit on the Information Society scheduled for 2003 and 2005 (see p. 836), and satellite network filings. ITU's sixteenth Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, Morocco, 23 September–18 October) adopted amendments to ITU's Constitution and Convention, as well as decisions, resolutions and recommendations on issues ranging from telecommunication infrastructure and information and communication technologies for socio-economic and cultural development to the use of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum at frequencies above 3000 gigahertz. During the year, the Union staged numerous events, including the third World Telecommunication Development Conference (Istanbul, Turkey, 18-27 March), which adopted the Istanbul Declaration and a comprehensive Action Plan to bridge the digital divide; and the sixth regional telecommunications exhibition and forum for Asia and the Pacific (Hong Kong, China, 2-7 December). ITU membership remained at 189 in 2002.