Recognizing WSIS Impacts

WTSA RESOLUTION 22 (Rev. Dubai, 2012)

Authorization for the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group to act between world telecommunication standardization assemblies

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (Dubai, 2012),

• considering
  • a) that, under the provisions of Article 14A of the ITU Convention, the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) is to provide guidelines for the work of study groups and recommend measures to foster coordination and cooperation with other standards bodies;
  • b) that the rapid pace of change in the telecommunication environment and in industry groups dealing with telecommunications demands that the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) make decisions on matters such as work priorities, study group structure and meeting schedules in shorter periods of time, between world telecommunication standardization assemblies (WTSA), in order to maintain its relevance and responsiveness;
  • c) that Resolution 122 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) of the Plenipotentiary Conference resolves that WTSA shall continue, in accordance with its responsibilities, and subject to available financial resources, to promote the continued evolution of the standardization sector and adequately address strategic issues in standardization by means such as, but not limited to, the strengthening of TSAG;
  • d) that Resolution 122 (Rev. Guadalajara, 2010) instructs the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) to continue, in consultation with relevant bodies, and the ITU membership, and in coordination with the ITU Radiocommunication Sector and the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector, as appropriate, to organize a Global Standards Symposium (GSS);
  • e) that GSS was held in conjunction with this assembly to consider bridging the standardization gap and examining global ICT standards challenges;
  • f) that TSAG continues to make proposals for enhancing the operational efficiency of ITU-T, for improving the quality of ITU-T Recommendations and for methods of coordination and cooperation;
  • g) that TSAG can help improve coordination of the study process and provide improved decision-making processes for the important areas of ITU-T activities;
  • h) that flexible administrative procedures, including those related to budgetary considerations, are needed in order to adapt to rapid changes in the telecommunication environment;
  • i) that it is desirable for TSAG to act in the four years between WTSAs in order to meet the needs of the marketplace in a timely manner;
  • j) that it is desirable for TSAG to consider the implications of new technologies for the standardization activities of ITU-T and how such technologies can be included within the ITU-T work programme;
  • k) that TSAG can play an important role in ensuring coordination between study groups, as appropriate, on standardization issues including, as required, avoiding duplication of work, and identifying linkages and dependencies between related work items;
  • l) that TSAG, in providing advice to study groups, may take account of the advice of other groups,
• noting
  • a) that Article 13 of the Convention states that a WTSA may assign specific matters within its competence to TSAG indicating the action required on those matters;
  • b) that the duties of WTSA are specified in the Convention;
  • c) that the current four-year cycle for WTSAs effectively precludes the possibility of addressing unforeseen issues requiring urgent action in the interim period between assemblies;
  • d) that TSAG meets at least on a yearly basis;
  • e) that TSAG has already exhibited the capability to act effectively, on matters assigned to it by WTSA,
• recognizing
  • that the Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, 2002) adopted Nos. 191A and 191B of the Convention that allow WTSA to establish and terminate other groups,
• resolves
  • 1 to assign to TSAG the following specific matters within its competence between this assembly and the next assembly to act in the following areas in consultation with the Director of TSB, as appropriate:
    • a) maintain up-to-date, efficient and flexible working guidelines;
    • b) assume responsibility, including development and submission for approval under appropriate procedures, for the ITU-T A-series Recommendations (Organization of the work of ITU-T);
    • c) restructure and establish ITU-T study groups and assign chairmen and vice-chairmen to act until the next WTSA in response to changes in the telecommunication marketplace;
    • d) issue advice on study group schedules to meet standardization priorities;
    • e) while recognizing the primacy of the study groups in carrying out the activities of ITU-T, create, terminate or maintain other groups, including focus groups, appoint their chairmen and vice-chairmen, and establish their terms of reference with a defined duration, in accordance with Nos. 191A and 191B of the Convention, in order to enhance and improve the effectiveness of ITU-T’s work as well as promoting flexibility in responding rapidly to high-priority issues; such groups shall not adopt Questions or Recommendations, in accordance with Article 14A of the Convention, but work on a specific mandate;
    • f) review reports of and consider appropriate proposals made by coordination groups and other groups, and implement those that are agreed;
    • g) establish the appropriate mechanism and encourage the utilization, for example, of coordination groups or other groups, to address key topics of work which span several study groups, with a view to ensuring effective coordination of standardization topics in order to achieve suitable global solutions;
    • h) advise the Director of TSB on financial and other matters;
    • i) approve the programme of work arising from the review of existing and new Questions and determine the priority, urgency, estimated financial implications and time-scale for the completion of their study;
    • j) group, as far as practicable, Questions of interest to developing countries, including the least developed countries, small island developing states, landlocked developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in order to facilitate their participation in these studies;
    • k) address other specific matters within the competence of WTSA, subject to the approval of Member States, using the approval procedure contained in Resolution 1 (Rev. Dubai, 2012) of this assembly, Section 9;
  • 2 that revisions to the relevant procedures for the adoption of Questions and Recommendations by study groups, other than those referred to in Nos. 246D, 246F and 246H of the Convention, may be initiated by TSAG for approval by Member States between WTSAs, using the approval procedure contained in Resolution 1 (Rev. Dubai, 2012) of this assembly, Section 9;
  • 3 that TSAG provide liaison on its activities to organizations outside ITU in consultation with the Director of TSB, as appropriate;
  • 4 that TSAG consider the implications, for ITU-T, of market needs and new emerging technologies that have not yet been considered for standardization by ITU-T, establish an appropriate mechanism to facilitate the examination of their consideration, for example assigning Questions, coordinating the work of study groups or establishing coordination groups or other groups, and nominate their chairmen and vice-chairmen;
  • 5 that TSAG consider the result of this assembly concerning GSS and take follow-up actions, as appropriate;
  • 6 that a report on the above TSAG activities shall be submitted to the next WTSA.