Results of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly and the Cybersecurity Symposium

The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-04) took place from 5 to 14 October in Florianópolis, Brazil. The WTSA-04 drew to a close with a plan for future global standards-setting and a clear statement about the direction of the future work of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). Internet-related issues and next-generation networks emerged as key areas. 475 delegates from 75 countries participated.

The main highlights of the Assembly include:

• A next-generation networks (NGN) focus spanning the work programme of all study groups
• The creation of a new Study Group on NGN
• The adoption of new resolutions on Internet-related issues (ENUM, spam, internationalized domain names, country code top level domain (ccTLD) names)
• The adoption of a resolution on cybersecurity
• The adoption of measures aimed at enhancing a greater involvement of developing countries in standardization activities
• A group to oversee the sector’s seminar and workshop programme and to monitor the market for new topic areas
• The inclusion of a gender perspective in the work of the ITU-T with the adoption of a resolution on gender mainstreaming
• The setting up of 13 Study Groups with their areas of responsibility and the designation of their chairmen and vice-chairmen. WTSA also designated the chairman and vice-chairmen of the telecommunication standardization advisory group (TSAG)
• A request for a study on the economic effect of call-back and other similar calling practices in developing countries and how they impact on their ability to develop their telecommunication networks and services

A Symposium took place on the day prior to the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly on the 4 October. Cybersecurity experts called on ITU to intensify work on standards for securing information communications technologies (ICT). The one day event examined cybersecurity threats, experiences with and responses to cybersecurity threats, standards, policy regulatory and legal aspects and ended with a lively discussion involving the 250 plus attendees, on lessons learned and what kinds of good practice, approaches and initiatives might further secure cyberspace.

Bruno Ramos
Chair
CITEL Working Group
to prepare WTSA-04

Source: ITU