Mr Valery TIMOFEEV from the Russian Federation, has been elected to serve another term as Director of the Radiocommunications Bureau at the ITU. According to Mr Timofeev’s statement, the Radiocommunication Bureau’s short-term and long-term priorities include:
To carry out the preparatory work necessary to ensure the successful holding of the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2007, including studies in accordance with the decisions taken by WRC-03, and with concentration of the Bureau’s resources on the most complex items on the agenda of WRC-07. To prepare for and hold the second session of RRC, and subsequently implement its decisions. To enhance the effectiveness of the Bureau’s activities through the further development of automated systems and rational use of existing staff. To optimize the structure and working methods of the ITU-R study groups to ensure the timely delivery to spectrum users of the regulatory documents necessary to enable all countries, irrespective of their level of development, to implement and use the latest radio technologies in all possible spheres, from mobile communications and broadcasting to radionavigation, multimedia applications, and so on.
Malcolm JOHNSON from United Kingdom, was elected to serve as Director of the ITU Telecommunications Standardisation Bureau. In his electioneering message posted on the ITU site, Mr Johnson wrote “ITU-T is a global standardization body. It has a unique history and a diverse membership. ITU standards are respected universally. To contribute to this important work directly would be an honour and I would work diligently, in the spirit of co-operation, to advance our shared goals. Over the last 20 years, I have gained extensive knowledge of the ITU and I believe I am a well known figure. The ITU has arrived at a crucial and exciting stage in its evolution and a dynamic ITU-T will be essential for taking on the challenges of the 21st century. Directors have a key role in this and to be effective they must be well versed in dealing with the whole organisation, as well as being knowledgeable in their own sector. If elected, I would strive to achieve these objectives. I would work collaboratively with the other elected officials as a team to seek and respond to the needs of the membership, in particular through the regional bodies. I would encourage further participation of developing countries in ITU-T to help bridge the digital divide and seek to make it the place where industry wants to come to develop its standards.”
Mr Sami S. Al-Basheer from Saudi Arabia, has been elected as Director of the Telecommunications Development Bureau. According to the ITU site, Mr. Al Basheer has more than twenty three years experience in telecommunication in Saudi Arabia and abroad including two years in ITU Regional Office in Cairo. A major part of his career he has been responsible in Saudi Arabian Government (MoPTT) for the development of economic, financial, policy and regulatory aspects of telecommunications and for international coordination and cooperation. He has over ten years experience as top executive and head of the department responsible for telecommunication policy and investment matters at national, regional and international level related to organizations like ITU, INTELSAT, INMARSAT, ARABSAT, UPU, GSM/MOU, GATS/WTO, UN, LAS, GCC, ICO, IRIDIUM, GLOBALSTAR etc. In this position he was also responsible for liberalization, reformation and privatization of telecommunications sector as well as for telecommunication trade and tariff issues in GATS/WTO negotiations.He has exte nsive experience in telecommunications management and development as well as in negotiating and formulating international agreements on commercial, operational, maintenance and investment issues