The World Telecommunication
Development Conference
Valletta, 1998
considering
a) that the World Telecommunication Development Conference (Buenos Aires, 1994) (WTDC-94), adopted Resolution 7 on telecommunications for disaster mitigation and disaster relief operations, thereby reactivating a process initiated by the Conference on Disaster Communications, (Tampere, 1991);
b) that the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994), endorsed that resolution in its Resolution 36 on telecommunications for disaster mitigation and disaster relief operations;
c) the report of the Secretary-General on the progress made in the implementation of WTDC-94 Resolution 7;
d) that the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 1997), in its Resolution 644, urged administrations to give their full support to the adoption and national implementation of a Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations,
recognizing
a) the potential of modern telecommunication technologies as an essential tool for disaster mitigation and relief operations and the vital role of telecommunications for the safety and security of relief workers in the field;
b) the particular needs of developing countries and the special requirements of the inhabitants of remote areas,
noting with appreciation
the invitation by the Government of Finland to hold the Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications (ICET-98) from 16 to 18 June 1998 in Tampere, Finland, which is expected to adopt the Convention referred to in considering d) above,
resolves
to invite the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector to ensure that proper consideration be given to emergency telecommunications as an element of telecommunication development, including, in close coordination and collaboration with the ITU Radiocommunication Sector, by facilitating and encouraging the use of decentralized means of communications that are appropriate and generally available, including those provided by the amateur radio service and GMPCS services,
instructs the Director of BDT
a) to support administrations in their work towards the implementation of this Resolution and of the Convention;
b) to report to the next world telecommunication development conference on the status of implementation of the Convention,
instructsthe Secretary-General
to work closely with the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator with a view to further increasing the Union's involvement in, and support to, emergency communications, and to report on the outcome of ICET-98 to the 1998 Plenipotentiary Conference so that the Plenipotentiary Conference or the ITU Council may take any action that it deems necessary,
invites
the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Working Group on Emergency Telecommunications to collaborate closely with ITU in work towards implementing this Resolution, adopting the Convention on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations, and supporting administrations and international and regional telecommunication organizations in the implementation of the Convention,
urges administrations
to continue their examination of the draft Convention, with a view to considering giving their full support to the adoption of the said Convention,
encourages administrations
to participate in the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference on Emergency Telecommunications (ICET-98) hosted by the Government of Finland in Tampere from 16 to 18 June 1998.