Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

1. Presentation to the Select Committee: Final Acts of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference – Antalya, Turkey 200623 February 2011 Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

2. Contents • Mandate of the ITU • Structure of ITU • Role of the Plenipotentiary conference • Role of the Executive Council • Ratification of the Final Acts • Key decisions of the PP-06 • Benefits of participation in the ITU • Current focus – PP-10 • Strengthening South Africa’s role in the ITU Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

3. Mandate of the ITU • Contained in the ITU Constitution: ‘the Basic Texts’ (Article 1: the purposes of the Union Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

4. Structure of the ITU • Article 7 • Plenipotentiary Conference • Executive Council • The 3 Sectors: RadioCommunications, Development, Standardisation • The General Sectretariat Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

5. Role of the Plenipotentiary conference • Highest decision making structure of the Union • Makes decisions on amendments to Constitution, Convention and General Rules • Determines and prioritises the work of the ITU through resolutions, and through Financial and Strategic Plan Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

6. Role of Executive Council • Oversees work of the ITU in between Plenipotentiary conferences including Strategic and financial plan • 25 % of membership: 46 elected members • 13 seats in African region Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

7. RATIFICATION OF THE FINAL ACTS • Ratification process – debate amongst member states • Importance to SA’s international standing – global citizenship • SA’s position on ITU Council • Implications for South Africa Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

8. KEY DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO PP-10 • International Telecommunication Regulations • Internet Governance • Cybersecurity • Regional presence • World Summit on the Information Society – implementation of outcomes • Status of Palestine • Elections • Contributions Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

9. BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE ITU • Community of 191 Member States • Democratic decision making and influence of developing countries • Guides the priorities, work and decision making of the ITU • Support from ITU for development priorities: WTDC – Africa’s development plan and implementation by the AU • International connectivity, standards and interoperability • International spectrum management and coordination and reduction of interference • International best practise, information sharing and expertise • International peer review • Emergency assistance in case of telecommunication disasters. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

10. Current Focus: Guadalajara 2010 • Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 • Broadband and universal access • Cybersecurity, including children on-line • International Telecommunication Regulations • Broadcasting Digital Migration • Internet Governance • e-health • ITU and the environment (Climate Change),we are part of COP 17 in Durban hosted by SA • Focus : e-waste, recycling, radioactivity, effect of electronic gadgets into our health (cell phones on children) Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

11. RURAL DEVELOPMEMENT NETWORKS AND ICT CONNECTIVITY • DoC has developed an ICT Rural Development strategy (Draft) • Done in conjunction with the Dept. of Rural Development • Addresses access, connectivity, and rural growth, and will contribute to building an inclusive and people centred information society • Will assist in bridging the Digital gap. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

12. BROADBAND POLICY • DoC has developed a national Broadband Policy • Will address in dealing with the creation of jobs through information access • Provides for increased services such as e-government, e-health, e-education, e-business (SMMEs), etc. • These are in line with the Government’s 13 priority outcomes. Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

13. CYBERSECURITY • Increasing confidence and security in the use of ICTs. • Address internet related crimes/security issues/malpractise • Eg. 419 scams now utilise internet, banking related crimes, child on-line protection • Elicit dealing and trading on-line • Espionage and hacking • Security of networks and national infrastructure, including government systems Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

14. Strengthening SA’s role in ITU and benefits • Broader participation amongst stakeholders • More consistent and stronger participation in Study groups and Council Working Groups – utilising experts from stakeholders • More effective participation in decision making • More pro-active role in securing benefits to national and regional development, such as utilising capacity building workshops Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET

15. Questions and Comments THANK YOU Making South Africa a Global Leader in Harnessing ICTs for Socio-economic Development SECRET