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WTSA Resolution 1


WTSA RESOLUTION 1 (Rev. Dubai, 2012)

Rules of procedure of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (Dubai, 2012)1

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (Dubai, 2012),

  • considering
    • a) that the functions, duties and organization of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) are stated in Article 17 of the ITU Constitution and Articles 13, 14, 14A, 15 and 20 of the ITU Convention;
    • b) that, in accordance with the above articles of the Constitution and Convention, ITU-T shall study technical, operating and tariff questions and adopt Recommendations with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis;
    • c) that the ITU-T Recommendations resulting from these studies must be in harmony with the International Telecommunication Regulations in force, complement the basic principles therein and assist all those concerned in the provision and operation of telecommunication services to meet the objectives set down in the relevant articles of those Regulations;
    • d) that, accordingly, the rapid developments in telecommunication technology and services require timely and reliable ITU-T Recommendations to assist all Member States in the balanced development of their telecommunications;
    • e) that general working arrangements of ITU-T are stated in the Convention;
    • f) that the General Rules of conferences, assemblies and meetings of the Union adopted by the Plenipotentiary Conference, and Resolution 165 (Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference, on deadlines for the submission of proposals and procedures for the registration of participants for conferences and assemblies of the Union, apply to the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA);
    • g) that, in accordance with No. 184A of the Convention, WTSA is authorized to adopt the working methods and procedures for the management of the activities of ITU-T in accordance with No. 145A of the Constitution;
    • h) that careful review of the more detailed working arrangements has been made in order to adapt them to meet the increasing demand for developing Recommendations with the most effective use of the limited resources available to Member States, Sector Members and ITU headquarters,
  • resolves
    • that the provisions referred to in considering e), f), g) and h) above shall be further elaborated by the provisions of this resolution and in the resolutions to which they refer, bearing in mind that, in the case of inconsistency, the Constitution, the Convention, the International Telecommunication Regulations and the General Rules of conferences, assemblies and meetings of the Union (in that order) shall prevail over this resolution.
  • SECTION 2 Study groups and their relevant groups
    • 2.1 Classification of study groups and their relevant groups
      • 2.1.1 WTSA establishes study groups in order for each of them:
        • a) to pursue the goals laid down in a set of Questions related to a particular area of study in a task-oriented fashion;
        • b) to review and, as necessary, to recommend amendment or deletion of existing Recommendations and definitions within its general area of responsibility (as defined by WTSA), in collaboration with their relevant groups as appropriate.
      • 2.1.2 To facilitate their work, study groups may set up working parties, joint working parties and rapporteur groups to deal with the tasks assigned to them.
      • 2.1.3 A joint working party shall submit draft Recommendations to its lead study group.
      • 2.1.4 A regional group may be established within a study group to deal with Questions and studies of particular interest to a group of Member States and Sector Members in an ITU region.
      • 2.1.5 A study group may be set up by WTSA in order to carry out joint studies with the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and prepare draft Recommendations on questions of common interest. ITU-T shall be responsible for the management of this study group and approval of its Recommendations. WTSA shall appoint the chairman and vice-chairman of the study group2, in consultation with the Radiocommunication Assembly as appropriate, and receive the formal report of the work of the study group. A report for information may also be prepared for the Radiocommunication Assembly.
      • 2.1.6 A study group may be designated by WTSA or TSAG as the lead study group for ITU-T studies forming a defined programme of work involving a number of study groups. This lead study group is responsible for the study of the appropriate core Questions. In addition, in consultation with the relevant study groups and in collaboration, where appropriate, with other standards bodies, the lead study group has the responsibility to define and maintain the overall framework and to coordinate, assign (recognizing the mandates of the study groups) and prioritize the studies to be carried out by the study groups, and to ensure the preparation of consistent, complete and timely Recommendations. The lead study group shall inform TSAG on the progress of the work as defined in the scope of the lead study group activity. Issues which cannot be resolved by the study group should be raised for TSAG to offer advice and proposals for the direction of the work.
    • 2.2 Meetings outside Geneva
      • 2.2.1 Study groups or working parties may meet outside Geneva if invited to do so by Member States, ITU-T Sector Members or entities authorized in this respect by a Member State of the Union, and if the holding of a meeting outside Geneva is desirable (e.g. in association with symposiums or seminars). Such invitations shall be considered only if they are submitted to a WTSA or to an ITU-T study group meeting and they shall be finally planned and organized after consultation with the Director of TSB and if they are within the credits allocated to ITU-T by the Council.
      • 2.2.2 For meetings held outside Geneva, the provisions of Resolution 5 (Kyoto, 1994) of the Plenipotentiary Conference as well as of ITU Council Decision 304 shall apply. Invitations to hold meetings of the study groups or their working parties away from Geneva shall be accompanied by a statement indicating the host’s agreement to defray the additional expenditure involved and that it will provide at least adequate premises and the necessary furniture and equipment free of charge, except that in the case of developing countries equipment need not necessarily be provided free of charge if the government of the host so requests.
      • 2.2.3 Should an invitation be cancelled for any reason, it shall be proposed to Member States or to other duly authorized entities that the meeting be convened in Geneva, in principle on the date originally planned.
    • 2.3 Participation in meetings
      • 2.3.1 Member States and other duly authorized entities shall be represented in the study groups and their relevant groups, such as working parties and rapporteur groups, in whose work they wish to take part, by participants registered by name and chosen by them as qualified to investigate satisfactory solutions to the Questions under study. Exceptionally, however, registration by Member States and other duly authorized entities3 with a study group or its relevant group may be made without specifying the name of the participants concerned. Chairmen of meetings may invite individual experts as appropriate.
      • 2.3.2 The meetings of Study Group 3 regional groups shall, in principle, be limited to delegates and representatives of Member States and operating agencies (for the definition of these terms see the Annex to the Constitution) in the region. However, each Study Group 3 regional group may invite other participants to attend all or part of a meeting to the extent that these other participants would be eligible to attend the meetings of the full study group.
      • 2.3.3 The meetings of regional groups of other study groups shall, in principle, be limited to delegates and representatives from Member States, Sector Members and Associates of the study group concerned in the region. However, each regional group may invite other participants to attend all or part of a meeting, to the extent that these other participants would be eligible to attend the meetings of the full study group.
    • 2.4 Reports of study groups to WTSA
      • 2.4.1 All study groups shall meet sufficiently in advance of WTSA for the report of each study group to WTSA to reach administrations of Member States and Sector Members at least one month before WTSA.
      • 2.4.2 The report of each study group to WTSA is the responsibility of the study group chairman, and shall include:
        • : a short but comprehensive summary of the results achieved in the study period;
        • : reference to all Recommendations (new or revised) that have been approved by the Member States during the study period;
        • : reference to all Recommendations deleted during the study period;
        • : reference to the final text of all draft Recommendations (new or revised) that are forwarded for consideration by WTSA;
        • : the list of new or revised Questions proposed for study;
        • : review of joint coordination activities for which it is the lead study group.
  • SECTION 3 Study group management
    • 3.1 The study group chairmen perform the duties required of them within their study groups or within joint coordination activities.
    • 3.2 Appointment of chairmen and vice-chairmen shall be primarily based upon demonstrated competence both in technical content of the study group concerned and in the management skills required. Those appointed should be active in the field of the study group concerned and committed to the work of the study group. Other considerations, including incumbency, shall be secondary.
    • 3.3 The mandate of a vice-chairman shall be to assist the chairman in matters relating to the management of the study group, including substitution for the chairman at official ITU-T meetings or replacement of the chairman should he or she be unable to continue with study group duties. Each working party chairman provides technical and administrative leadership and should be recognized as having a role of equal importance to that of a study group vice-chairman.
    • 3.4 On the basis of 3.2 above, appointed vice-chairmen should be considered first in the appointment of working party chairmen. However, that does not prevent other competent experts being appointed as working party chairmen.
    • 3.5 To the extent possible, in accordance with WTSA Resolution 35 (Rev. Dubai, 2012), and taking into account the need for demonstrated competence, appointment or selection to the management team should utilize the resources of as broad a range of Member States and Sector Members as possible, at the same time recognizing the need to appoint only the number of vice-chairmen and working party chairmen necessary for the efficient and effective management and functioning of the study group, consistent with the projected structure and work programme.
    • 3.6 In principle, a chairman, vice-chairman or working party chairman, on accepting this role, is expected to have the necessary support of the Member State or Sector Member to fulfil this commitment throughout the period to the next WTSA.
  • SECTION 4 Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group
    • 4.1 In accordance with Article 14A of the Convention, the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) shall be open to representatives of administrations of Member States and representatives of ITU-T Sector Members and to chairmen of the study groups and other groups or their designated representatives. The Director of TSB or the Director’s designated representatives shall participate in TSAG. The chairmen of the study groups and other groups, according to the case, or their designated representatives (e.g. vice-chairmen) shall also participate in TSAG.
    • 4.2 TSAG’s principal duties are to review priorities, programmes, operations, financial matters and strategies for ITU-T’s activities, to review progress in the implementation of ITU-T’s work programme, to provide guidelines for the work of the study groups and to recommend measures, inter alia, to foster cooperation and coordination with other relevant bodies, within ITU-T and with the Radiocommunication (ITU-R) and Telecommunication Development (ITU-D) Sectors and the General Secretariat, and with other standardization organizations, forums and consortia outside ITU.
    • 4.3 TSAG will identify changing requirements and provide advice on appropriate changes to be made to the priority of work in ITU-T study groups, planning, and allocation of work between study groups (and the coordination of that work with other Sectors), giving due regard to the cost and availability of resources within TSB and the study groups. TSAG shall monitor the activities of any joint coordination activities and may also recommend the establishment of such activities, if appropriate. TSAG may also advise on further improvements to ITU-T working methods. TSAG shall monitor the activities of the lead study groups and advise on the progress report as presented to TSAG. TSAG shall endeavour to ensure that the programmes of work across the study groups are successfully completed.
    • 4.4 WTSA may assign temporary authority to TSAG between two consecutive WTSAs to consider and act on matters specified by WTSA. TSAG may consult with the Director on these matters, if necessary. WTSA should assure itself that the special functions entrusted to TSAG do not require financial expenses exceeding the ITU-T budget. The report on TSAG activity on the fulfilment of specific functions assigned to it, pursuant to No. 197I of the Convention, shall be submitted to the next WTSA. Such authority shall terminate when the following WTSA meets, although WTSA may decide to extend it for a specified period.
    • 4.5 TSAG shall hold regular scheduled meetings, included on the ITU-T timetable of meetings. The meetings should take place as necessary, but at least once a year4.
    • 4.6 In the interest of minimizing the length and costs of the meetings, the chairman of TSAG should collaborate with the Director in making appropriate advance preparation, for example by identifying the major issues for discussion.
    • 4.7 In general, the same rules of procedure that apply to study groups shall also apply to TSAG and its meetings. However, at the discretion of the chairman, written proposals may be submitted during the TSAG meeting provided they are based on ongoing discussions taking place during the meeting and are intended to assist in resolving conflicting views which exist during the meeting.
    • 4.8 A report for the Director on its activities shall be prepared by TSAG after each meeting. This report is to be made available within an objective of six weeks after the closure of the meeting and is to be distributed in accordance with normal ITU-T procedures.
    • 4.9 TSAG shall prepare a report for the assembly on the matters assigned to TSAG by the previous WTSA. At its last meeting prior to WTSA, TSAG shall, pursuant to No. 197H of the Convention, prepare a report which summarizes its activities since the previous WTSA. This report shall offer advice on the allocation of work, and proposals on ITU-T working methods and on strategies and relations with other relevant bodies inside and outside ITU, as appropriate. The TSAG report to WTSA should also include proposals for WTSA Resolution 2, i.e. the titles of study groups with their responsibilities and mandates. These reports shall be submitted to the assembly by the Director.
  • SECTION 5 Duties of the Director
    • 5.1 The duties of the Director of TSB are outlined in Article 15 and relevant provisions of Article 20 of the Convention. These duties are further elaborated in this resolution.
    • 5.2 The Director shall take the necessary preparatory measures for meetings of WTSA, TSAG, study groups and other groups, and coordinate their work so that the meetings produce the best results in the shortest possible time. The Director shall fix, by agreement with TSAG and study group chairmen, the dates and programmes of TSAG, study group and working party meetings and shall group these meetings in time according to the nature of the work and the availability of TSB and other ITU resources.
    • 5.3 The Director shall suggest editorial updates to WTSA resolutions and provide a recommendation as to whether the modifications are significant enough to warrant the production of a revised version.
    • 5.4 The Director shall manage the allocation of the ITU-T financial and TSB human resources required for meetings administered by TSB, for dissemination of the associated documents to ITU Member States and Sector Members (meeting reports, contributions, etc.), for ITU-T publications, for the authorized operational support functions for the international telecommunication network and services (Operational Bulletin, code assignments, etc.) and for the operation of TSB.
    • 5.5 The Director shall provide the necessary liaison between ITU-T and other Sectors and the General Secretariat of ITU and with other standards development organizations (SDOs).
    • 5.6 In the Director’s estimate of the financial needs of ITU-T until the next WTSA as part of the biennial budgetary preparatory process, the Director shall communicate to WTSA (for information) a summary of the accounts for the years which have elapsed since the preceding WTSA, and the estimated expenses of ITU-T to cover its financial requirements until the next WTSA for the subsequent biennial budgets and financial plan, as appropriate, taking into account the pertinent results of WTSA, including priorities.
    • 5.7 The Director shall prepare the financial estimates in accordance with relevant provisions of the Financial Regulations and Financial Rules, taking into account the relevant results of WTSA, including priorities for the work of the Sector.
    • 5.8 The Director shall submit for preliminary examination by the Budget Control Committee, and thereafter for approval by WTSA, the accounts for expenses incurred for the current WTSA.
    • 5.9 The Director shall submit to WTSA a report on the proposals that have been received from TSAG (see 4.9) concerning the organization, terms of reference and work programme of study groups and other groups for the next study period. The Director may give views on these proposals.
    • 5.10 In addition, the Director may, within the limits specified in the Convention, submit to WTSA any report or proposal which would help to improve the work of ITU-T, so that WTSA may decide what action to take. In particular, the Director shall submit to WTSA such proposals concerning the organization and terms of reference of the study groups for the next study period as may be considered necessary.
    • 5.11 The Director may request assistance from the study group and TSAG chairmen regarding proposals for potential candidates for study group and TSAG chairmen and vice-chairmen, for consideration by the heads of delegation.
    • 5.12 After the close of WTSA, the Director shall supply administrations of Member States and Sector Members taking part in the activities of ITU-T with a list of the study groups and other groups set up by WTSA, indicating the general areas of responsibility and the Questions that have been referred to the various groups for study, and requesting them to advise the Director of the study groups or other groups in which they wish to take part.
    • Furthermore, the Director shall supply the international organizations with a list of the study groups and other groups set up by WTSA, asking them to advise the Director of the study groups or other groups in which they wish to participate in an advisory capacity.
    • 5.13 Administrations of Member States, Sector Members and other participating organizations are invited to supply these particulars after each WTSA as soon as possible and not later than two months after they have received the Director’s circular, and to update them regularly.
    • 5.14 In the interval between WTSAs, when circumstances so demand, the Director is authorized to take exceptional measures to ensure the efficiency of the work of ITU-T within the limits of the credits available.
    • 5.15 In the interval between WTSAs, the Director may request assistance from the chairmen of study groups and the chairman of TSAG regarding the allocation of available financial and human resources to be able to assure the most efficient work of ITU-T.
    • 5.16 In consultation with the chairmen of study groups and the chairman of TSAG, the Director shall ensure an appropriate flow of executive summary information on the work of the study groups. This information should be designed to assist in following and appreciating the overall significance of the work progressing in ITU-T.
    • 5.17 The Director shall seek to foster cooperation and coordination with the other standardization organizations for the benefit of all members.
  • SECTION 6 Contributions
    • 6.1 Contributions should be submitted not later than one month before the opening of WTSA, and at any event the submission deadline for all contributions to WTSA shall be not later than 14 calendar days before the opening of the WTSA in order to allow for their timely translation and thorough consideration by delegations. The Bureau shall immediately publish all contributions submitted to WTSA in their original language(s) on the WTSA website, even before their translation into the other official languages of the Union.
    • 6.2 Contributions to study group, working party and TSAG meetings shall be submitted and formatted in accordance with Recommendations ITU-T A.1 and ITU-T A.2, respectively.
  • SECTION 8 Selection of Recommendation approval process
    • 8.1 Selection of the approval process
      • “Selection” refers to the act of choosing the alternative approval process (AAP) (see Recommendation ITU-T A.8) or choosing the traditional approval process (TAP) (see Section 9) for the development and approval of new and revised Recommendations.
    • 8.1.1 Selection at a study group meeting
      • As a general approach, Recommendations in ITU-T Standardization Domain 04 (numbering/addressing) and Domain 11 (tariff/charging/accounting) are assumed to follow TAP. Likewise, Recommendations not in Domains 04 or 11 are assumed to follow AAP. However, explicit action at the study group meeting can change the selection from AAP to TAP, and vice versa, if so decided by consensus of the Member States and Sector Members present at the meeting.
      • If consensus is not achieved, the same process used at a WTSA, as described in 1.13 above, shall be used to decide the selection.
    • 8.1.2 Selection at WTSA
      • As a general approach, Recommendations in ITU-T Standardization Domain 04 (numbering and addressing) and Domain 11 (tariff, charging and accounting) are assumed to follow TAP. Likewise, Recommendations not in Domains 04 or 11 are assumed to follow AAP. However, explicit action at WTSA can change the selection from AAP to TAP, and vice versa.
    • 8.2 Notification of the selection
      • When the Director of TSB notifies the membership that a Question has been approved, the Director shall also include notification of the proposed selection for the resulting Recommendations. If there are any objections, which must be based on the provisions of No. 246D of the Convention, they shall be forwarded to the next study group meeting, in writing, where there can be a reconsideration of the selection (see 8.3 below).
    • 8.3 Reconsideration of the selection
      • At any time, up to the decision to put a draft new or revised Recommendation into the “Last Call” comment process, the selection can be reconsidered based on the provisions of No. 246D of the Convention. Any request for reconsideration must be in writing (e.g. a contribution, or if submitted after the expiry of the deadline for a contribution, a written document that is then reflected in a temporary document) to a study group or working party meeting. A proposal from a Member State or Sector Member to change the selection has to be seconded before it can be addressed by the meeting.
      • Using the same procedures as described in 8.1.1, the study group will decide if the selection will remain as is, or if it will be changed.
      • The selection may not be changed once the Recommendation has been consented (Recommendation ITU-T A.8, clause 3.1), or determined (see 9.3.1 below).
  • Appendix I (to Resolution 1)
    • Information for submission of a Question
      • • Source
      • • Short title
      • • Type of Question or proposal6
      • • Reasons or experience motivating the proposed Question or proposal
      • • Draft text of Question or proposal
      • • Specific task objective(s) with expected time-frames for completion
      • • Relationship of this study activity to other:
        • : Recommendations
        • : Questions
        • : study groups
        • : relevant standardization bodies
    • Guidelines for drafting Question text are available on the ITU-T website.
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