The United Arab Emirates, represented by Tarek Al Awadhi, Head of the Spectrum & International Affairs Section at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRI), was selected as a chair of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) which opened in Geneva today. This is the first time the UAE has chaired the conference since joining in 1972.
The conference is aimed at reviewing and revising the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
The UAE delegation to the conference is headed by TRA’s Director General Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim.
The work of this international treaty-making Conference will be conducted over four weeks until 17 February to address the changes required to the regulation of orbit/spectrum resources in the interest of the users of these scarce resources, with global implications for policy-makers, regulators, the industry as well as end-users.
Over 3000 participants, representing more than 150 out of the ITU’s 193 Member States are expected to attend the four-week conference, making it one of the most significant ITU events. About 100 Observers from among ITU’s 700 private sector members along with international organizations will also attend the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12).
UAE Permanent Representative to the UN Headquarters in Geneva Obaid Salem Al Zaabi praised the selection of the UAE as a chair to the WRC-12, thanks to the keen efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and His Highness Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Fuelled by rapid technological developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) along with increasing convergence of radiocommunication services in today’s communication devices, there is an urgent need to ensure the best efficiencies in the use of spectrum, a finite resource. WRC-12 will examine the technical, regulatory and operational aspects to address frequency allocation and frequency sharing to ensure high quality of radiocommunication services for maritime and aeronautical transport as well as for scientific purposes related to the environment, meteorology and climatology, disaster prediction, mitigation and relief.
The management of satellite orbital slots and associated spectrum resources will be a key area of focus for WRC-12.The Conference goal will be to ensure that the modifications made to the international procedures for the coordination and registration of satellite systems provide for equitable and efficient use of these resources.
WRC-12 will also advance the introduction of mobile broadband and other advanced technologies such as the development of Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV), promote the use of the digital dividend resulting from the switch over to digital TV, as well as consider the potential for radiocommunications to act as a catalyst to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment.
