PRESS RELEASE: ITU ENDS SESSION WITH GREAT SUCCESS Articles / Date: Nov 10, 2009 - 09:37 AM The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) governing body, council that comprises of 46 Member States out of 190 members ended its annual 64th session on 30/10/09. The Council during session reviewed and approved ITU’s biennial budget for 2010 – 2011 and focused on issues related to the development of a dynamic telecommunications industry with the objective of responding to current demands. The 64th session was attended by 301 participants, representing 46 Member States, 36 Member State Observers and 9 sector member observers under the chairmanship of the Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Communications. The Council in nine days reviewed 87 documents, including 21 contributions from member states. Other key issues adopted were the creation of a Council Working Group to elaborate on the Strategic and financial plan in preparation for the Plenipotentiary conference in October next year. In connection to the above, a resolution was adopted for the creation of an independent Expert Audit Committee and Ethics office to promote transparency and accountability within the union. Also a resolution was approved on ICT and climate change issues, the resolution highlighted the vital role the union must play as it heads towards the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December this year. Climate change over the years has become a looming global issue. Accordingly, the resolution seeks to ensure that ICT becomes an enabling tool in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change globally. With regard to this, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu in his closing remarks urged ITU’s Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, to sustain the union’s efforts at promoting the deployment of ICT as a tool in the global agenda of climate change. A Group was also created on Child online Protection to look into ITU’s role in regard to international Public policy, concerning the creation of a safer Internet Environment for Children. This development is in the wake of an increasing spate of Child online exploitation. ITU intends to play a leading role in ensuring that adequate measures are put in place globally to protect and drastically reduce the incidence of this abuse worldwide. In assessing the success of work at the just ended ITU council meeting, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu attributed it to the spirit of mutual trust and respect amongst members that led to consensus building and the timely approval of the budget and other issues before it. Hon. Haruna Iddrisu was presented with a gold medal and a certificate commemorating his meritorious service to the union. He also indicated that Ghana would be seeking re-election to council at the expiration of its tenure and was optimistic that given the goodwill Ghana enjoys amongst member states Ghana’s bid will be favourably considered. The next ITU council session will be in 2010, Geneva, Switzerland; from 13 – 22 April. Prior to that Ghana will be participating in ITU Council working Working group meetings. Amongst them are the following; the financial Regulation, Management and Budget, Strategic Plan and the Tripartite Group for Human Resources working groups. This article comes from Ministry of Communications http://www.moc.gov.gh/ The URL for this story is: http://www.moc.gov.gh/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=244