1. Preparing for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-12)
ITU Africa Region
Preparatory Meeting
Durban, South Africa, May 2012
Malcolm Johnson
Director Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau, ITU

2. WTSA-12: Date and venue 20-29 November 2012
19 Nov GSS and 3-14 Dec WCIT
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

3. Some Hotels near venue Desert Rose Hotel Apartments
Hotel Deira City Center
IBIS Hotel Al Rigga
IBIS Hotel WTC
Novotel Deira City Center
Novotel WTC Emirates
Emirates Grand Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road
Ramada Downtown
Radisson Blu Downtown
Lotus Hotel
Towers Rotana
Jumeirah Emirates Tower
Millennium Plaza Hotel - Dubai
Hyatt Regency Dubai

4. Guide to WTSA-12 GSS and Preparatory Process
Outline
Guide to WTSA-12
GSS and Preparatory Process

5. What is WTSA? WTSA sets direction, policy and structure for ITU-T
Meets every four years
Defines the general policy for the Sector
Establishes the ITU-T study groups
Approves work program of study groups
Appoints chairmen and vice-chairmen of ITU-T study groups
Reviews existing WTSA Resolutions (49)
CS/A18 and CV/A13

6. Main objectives of WTSA
Underline ITU-T’s role as the most effective venue for international standardization
Pick up new work on emerging technologies
Increase efficiency in order to make best use of delegate time and resources
Avoid duplication and overlap of work
Increase participation and relevance
Increased efficiency
Review of current practice
Improve working methods
Remote collaboration tools
Restructure the Study Groups
Reassign Questions
Less need to travel
Save money/time for ITU and participants
More focus on developing country issues
Establishment of more regional groups
Efficiency, relevance, clear mandates
Increase visibility of ITU work to outside world

7. Who can participate? Member States and Sector Members Observers:
Regional telecom organizations
Intergovernmental organizations operating satellite systems
Any other regional or international organizations dealing with matters of interest
UN and specialized agencies of UN and IAEA
ITU elected officials in advisory capacity
Director TSB can make proposals
Circular Letter No. 65 from SG of 16 December 2011 was the invitation to MS; DM 1028 of 16 December was sent to SMs and DM/1029 to intl. Orgs.

8. WTSA Proposed Structure
COM 1: Steering Committee
COM 2: Budget Control
COM 3: Working methods of ITU-T
COM 4: Work programme and organization
COM 5: Editorial Committee
The Plenary may set up other Committees, Working Groups or Ad Hoc Groups
Set up Committees in accord with Section 1 of Res. 1 (Joburg 2008). Provisional structure in Annex 1 to CL/252 with mandate of each group.
The "Committee on Working Methods of ITU-T", which submits to the plenary meeting reports including proposals on the ITU-T working methods for implementation of the ITU‑T work programme, on the basis of the TSAG reports submitted to the assembly and the proposals of ITU Member States and ITU-T Sector Members.
b) The "Committee on the ITU-T Work Programme and Organization", which submits to the plenary meeting reports including proposals on the programme and organization of the work of ITU-T consistent with ITU-T strategy and priorities, on the basis of the TSAG reports submitted to the assembly and the proposals of ITU Member States and ITU-T Sector Members. It shall specifically:
i) propose a set of study groups;
ii) review the Questions set for study or further study;
iii) produce a clear description of the general area of responsibility within which each study group may maintain existing and develop new Recommendations, in collaboration with other groups, as appropriate;
iv) allocate Questions to study groups, as appropriate;
v) decide, when a Question or group of closely related Questions concerns several study groups, whether:
 to accept the recommendation of TSAG;
 to entrust the study to a single study group; or
 to adopt an alternative arrangement;
vi) review, and adjust as necessary, the lists of Recommendations for which each study group is responsible;
vii) propose the establishment, where needed, of other groups in accordance with Nos. 191A and 191B of the Convention.

9. Practical Matters
Contributions requested preferably two months in advance (20 Sept.) and no later than calendar days before opening of Assembly (6 Nov.)
Paperless meetings, but MS can request two and SM can request one paper copy
Joint registration system for WTSA and WCIT through focal points starting 20 August
One full or two partial fellowships for eligible countries
See Circular 252 of 15 February PP Res. 165.

10. WTSA Side Events and Exhibition
Three Side Events:
e-Health
ICT innovation and standards (coupled with academia event)
Network resilience and disaster relief
Exhibition
Goal: companies
Showcase IPTV, others

11. ITU-T Snapshot in 2012 10 study groups
6 focus groups (3 established at Jan 2012 TSAG)
9 Joint Coordination Activities
2 Global Standards Initiatives (IPTV, IoT)
250 standards/year
250 Rapporteurs
1000 Editors

12. Candidatures
WTSA Resolution 35 “…a maximum time in office of approximately eight years for study group and TSAG chairmen and vice-chairmen…”
Current chairs that cannot be re-elected for a second term are SG 2, SG 3, SG 15
Objectives: to maintain level of expertise and momentum
Expected results
Nomination of capable chairmen
Regional representation
TSB Circular 251 sent on 24 January inviting candidates by 20 September
Circular 251 issued on 24 January Candidatures requested by 20 August
TSAG draft structure and then New circular detailing proposed structure

13. Prior to WTSA-12

14. Regional preparation meetings
ITU organizing back-to-back meetings for WTSA/ WCIT Preparations (March-May 2012)
Arab States/Egypt: 28 April–1 May
Americas/Buenos Aires: May
Africa/Durban: May
Sector Members from the region can participate in the regional preparatory meetings
Fellowships available for RPMs

15. Global Standards Symposium
Monday, 19 Nov 2012
Themes:
Bridging the standardization gap: from innovation to standards
Global Standards Challenges
e.g., e-health; resilience of networks to disasters
Global Standards Collaboration: Roundtable