APT preparatory correspondence groups FOR WTSA-2004

Background

The 7^th ASTAP Forum (Seoul, 4-8 August 2003) agreed to the establishment of four correspondence groups to assist regional preparations for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), to be held in October 2004.  The four correspondence groups are:

The ASTAP meeting agreed that each rapporteur, in consultation with assistant rapporteurs and co-rapporteurs, should prepare an Input Paper to stimulate discussion.  The purpose of the Input Paper is to:

• contain a preliminary list of issues to be considered by the correspondence group;

• identify the WTSA resolutions that are relevant to each issue (including possible amendments to resolutions);

• suggest opportunities for regional cooperation on particular positions (including development of common or joint regional proposals);

• invite comment from each country in the region on the issues identified in the Input Paper (and nominate other relevant issues).

Process for commenting on Issues Papers and development of common or joint proposals to WTSA

Comments on each Input Paper should be sent to the email address for the relevant correspondence group.  The deadline for comments is 31 January 2004.

The comments will be collated by the rapporteur and assistant rapporteurs, and incorporated into a revised version of the Input Paper.  The revised version will be submitted as input documents to the next APT regional preparatory meeting.  It is intended that the comments received on the Input Paper be used to identify issues which need regional consideration to which might form possible common or joint regional proposals to WTSA 2004.

Common or joint proposals will be developed according to the Guideline for APT Common and Joint Proposals to WTSA:

• Procedure for Developing and Approving APT Common Positions (ACP) and Proposals of the Asia-Pacific Region for ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSA)

• Figure 1 - Procedure for Adopting and Approving APT Common Proposals (ACP) for WTSA

• Annex A - Form of Reply from APT Members (List of the Preliminary APT Common Proposals (PACP) for ITU WTSA)

• Sample Format (PACP of the Asia Pacific Region for ITU WTSA-2004)

Timeframes for regional preparations

The table below sets out the timeframe for regional preparations.

Messagee from Mr. Ron Box on TSAG considerations regarding the WTSA Resolutions and A Series Recommendations

Contributions, Proposals and Comments