There have been recent claims in the media which have suggested that the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12), held by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), may put at risk the free and innovative nature of the Internet and undermine certain basic human rights, such as freedom of expression online. In response, ANACOM would like to set out the following:
- The WCIT-12 is a World Conference, organised by the ITU, a specialist United Nations agency for telecommunications. The conference will be held in Dubai between 3 and 13 December 2012;
- All 193 of the ITU's Member States may send representation to the conference, and over 140 countries have already announced that they will be attending. The ITU's "sector members" may also participate, comprising over 700 organisations, including international organisations, private companies, universities and research bodies;
- Even while the issues raised are important, it is essential to note that, in general terms, the claims which have been published about the WCIT-12 is somewhat alarmist and seek to highlight dangers which, in ANACOM's view, do not exist;
- The position taken by ANACOM, which represents Portugal at the ITU, is in line with the positions agreed in Europe, especially in the context of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) and the European Union (EU);
- Europe is opposed to any proposal which seeks to expand the ITU's powers and responsibilities into areas of Internet Governance.
Consult:
- European proposals for WCIT subscribed by Portugal https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=347486
Further information:
- WCIT-12: Clarification needed during Open Letter season http://itu4u.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/wcit-12-clarification-needed-during-open-letter-season/
- World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/default.aspx
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU) https://www.itu.int/en/Pages/default.aspx
- 193 Estados-Membros http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mm/scripts/mm.list?_search=ITUstates&_languageid=1
- ITU Sector Members http://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/mm.list?_search=SEC&_languageid=1
