International telecommunication union - Challenges for the plenipotentiary 2014 - The time for change

ITU is the oldest intergovernmental and world telecommunication organization and UN specialized agency for telecommunications. Its federal structure is a historic property from those days when the political environment imposed it over any other, possibly more rational model. Together with the Union??s membership segmentation into five (5) politico/geographical zones (in 1947), the ??federalism?? was fixed for several decades. It was a perfect reflection of the emerging new world order as well as defense of strategic national interests. In the 90s, the political environment changed together with the telecommunication environment and the client?? needs ?? the Member States recognized it but it was too early to replace the archaic federalism with a healthy pragmatism! The organizational reforms were put on ??standby.?? With technology convergence and the need for streamlining the creative potential, the federal mechanism has become less appropriate and less responsive. The tension between the political and technical part of the ITU has led to regression of its credibility and loss of preeminence. Some Governments of Member States have noted that they are no more the leading architect of the ICT future. The political wisdom and courage are necessary to review the ITU corporate activities and to open a debate on constitutional changes at the first next Plenipotentiary Conference in 2014 (Busan, Korea). It will be important in the future to preserve a balance of interests contrary to the balance of power. Governments and non-governmental entities ?? sector members ?? should find in ITU "a Forum" where the national telecommunication policies get their international recognition.