Draft new resolution [afcp-2] role of itu in establishing an enabling ecosystem for the migration of existing telecommunication/ict networks to next-generation technologies in the developing countries

ADD        AFCP/19A19/1

DRAFT NEW resolution [AFCP-2]

Role of ITU in establishing an enabling ecosystem for the migration of existing telecommunication/ICT networks to next-generation technologies in the developing countries

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (Buenos Aires, 2017),

recalling

a)        the outputs of the 2017 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum, dealing with ITU's activities in coordinating, implementing and following up the outputs of WSIS as well as alignment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) with the WSIS action lines;

b)        Resolution 30 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), on the role of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector in implementing the outputs of the World Summit on the Information Society;

c)        Resolution 50 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of WTDC, on the optimal integration of information and communication technologies;

d)        Resolution 66 (Rev. Dubai, 2014) of WTDC, on information and communication technology and climate change;

e)        Resolution 20 (Rev. Hyderabad, 2010) of WTDC, on non-discriminatory access to modern telecommunication/information and communication technology facilities, services and related applications,

considering

a)        that the continuous changing of standards upon the emergence of each new technology has a direct impact on the developing countries' investments in telecommunication infrastructure;

b)        that a certain number of next-generation equipment manufacturers do not foresee solutions for the reuse or recycling of previous technologies, and this does not benefit the economies of developing countries,

recognizing

a)        that investment by telecommunication operators and governments in financing new telecommunication technology infrastructures depends on the positive impacts generated by the ICT sector on countries' economies;

b)        that ITU can play an important role in ensuring harmonious technological evolution, by enabling developing countries to amortize investments made in infrastructures already deployed;

c)        that lack of return on investment in telecommunication infrastructures already deployed or under deployment can compromise investment projects designed to bridge the digital divide;

d)        that the yearly replacement of thousands of tonnes of equipment from old technologies to make way for new has a significant impact on the environment of our planet,

resolves to instruct the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, in close cooperation with the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau and the Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and in response to the needs of the developing countries

1        to work for the promotion of new technologies conducive to making a substantial contribution to the human condition: saving lives, facilitating access to education and healthcare;

2        to encourage manufacturers to take back and recycle their end-of-life equipment in order to limit the environmental impact and for related economic considerations;

3        to assist telecommunication/ICT operators in their infrastructure development plans and to take account of their migration plans in the light of the country-specific realities and conditions governing evolution;

4        to establish dialogue at several levels making it possible for each State to satisfy the expectations of the most underprivileged segments of society in regard to access to new technologies, as well as to enable the emergence of national economies capable of ensuring concrete realization of the SDGs;

5        to encourage international cooperation on migration to new technologies with minimum impact on the environment;

6        to give the necessary priority to this subject and, within the available resources, allocate the necessary funds for execution of this resolution,

instructs Study Group 2

within the framework of its Questions, to cooperate with the appropriate ITU‑T and ITU‑R study groups in order to achieve the following goals:

i)        establish best practices in order to ensure that digital migration benefits citizens, governments and environmental protection;

ii)        propose a common approach to ensuring the sustainable development of ICTs, by extending the lifetime of equipment;

iii)        prepare an annual report on the progress of work in this area in respect of its Questions;

iv)        contribute to the organization of seminars and workshops on this subject,

invites the Member States

to participate actively in implementing this resolution by raising the awareness of all stakeholders, with the objective of ensuring the prosperity of States' economies in regard to investment and targeting environmental protection for public wellbeing.