The 17th Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) began in Antalia. The opening ceremony of the event was attended by the Turkish Prime Minister, Rajab Tayyub Erdogan, Turkish Minister of Communications & Transport Binali Ildirim, ITU Secretary General, Yoshio Utsumi and other delegates, Trend reports with reference to the ITU.
During his speech at the opening of the Conference, the ITU Head spoke of the significant development plans with regards to the information technology in the world.
Today the turnover of the telecommunications market in the world amounts to trillions of dollars and makes up 7% of the global business, Utsumi said.
Discussing the activities of the organizations, the ITU Secretary General stated we have increased our participation in the private sector with regards to information and telecommunication technology. More than 200 members and associations have joined our ranks over the past two years, he stated.
The Conference brings together 2,000 participants, including 80 ministers, the representatives of the private sector and international organizations.
Azerbaijan is represented at the event by the delegation of the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology headed by the Minister, Ali Abbasov. He is expected to present a speech at the conference.
The event is organized by the ITU in co-operation with the Turkish Telecommunication Administration and will conclude on 24 November
The Plenipotentiary Conference is a higher body of the ITU. The conference which is held every four years defines the common policy adopts a four-year strategic and financial plan and elects the Head of the Organization, member of the Council and members of the Radio Regulation Committee. It is therefore a key event, during which the 191 ITU member-countries decide on the future role of the Organization.
The members of the sectors (recognized exploitation organizations, scientific and industrial organizations, as well as financial institutions or institutions for development) will also attend the conference as observers. During the conference, decisions will be made regarding the co-ordination of the digital division and the development of Internet access. The Union's strategic plan, its priorities and goals for 2008-2011, as well as its financial plan for this period will be adopted.
In addition, the primary task of the conference is to elect the executive composition of the Organization for the next 4 years. The process will begin on November 9, and this time, the elections will be held over two of five head posts - Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General. Moreover, it is expected to expand the responsibilities of the members of the Council in accordance with the expansion of the IT sphere all over the world.