CHAPTER  I Functioning of the Union

  SECTION 1

ARTICLE 1

Plenipotentiary Conference

1.    (1) The Plenipotentiary Conference shall be convened in accordance with the relevant provisions of Article 8             of the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (hereinafter referred to as “the                         Constitution”).

(2) If practicable, the precise place and the exact dates of a Plenipotentiary Conference shall be set by the preceding Plenipotentiary Conference; failing this, they shall be fixed by the Council with the concurrence of the majority of the Members of the Union.

2.  (1) The precise place and the exact dates of the next Plenipotentiary Conference, or either one of these, may be changed:

a) when at least one-quarter of the Members of the Union have individually proposed a change to the Secretary-General; or

b) on a proposal of the Council.

    (2) Any such change shall require the concurrence of a majority of the Members of the Union.

ARTICLE  2

Elections and Related Matters

The Council

1. Except in the case of vacancies arising in the circumstances described in Nos. 10 to 12 below, the Members of the Union elected to the Council shall hold office until the date on which a new Council is elected. They shall be eligible for re-election.

2.     (1) If, between two Plenipotentiary Conferences, a seat becomes vacant on the Council, it shall pass by right to the Member of the Union from the same region as the Member whose seat is vacated, which had obtained at the previous election the largest number of votes among those not elected.

(2) When for any reason a vacant seat cannot be filled according to the procedure of No. 8 above, the Chairman of the Council shall invite the other Members of the region to seek election within one month of such an invitation being issued. At the end of this period, the Chairman of the Council shall invite Members of the Union to elect a new Member. The election shall be carried out by secret ballot by correspondence. The same majority as indicated above will be required. The new Member shall hold office until the election of the new Council by the next competent Plenipotentiary Conference.

3. A seat on the Council shall be considered vacant:

a) when a Council Member does not have a representative in attendance at two consecutive ordinary sessions of the Council;

b) when a Member of the Union resigns its membership of the Council.

Elected officials

1. The Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux shall take up their duties on the dates determined by the Plenipotentiary Conference at the time of their election. They shall normally remain in office until dates determined by the following Plenipotentiary Conference, and they shall be eligible for re-election once only.
2. If the post of Secretary-General falls vacant, the Deputy Secretary-General shall succeed to it and shall remain in office until a date determined by the following Plenipotentiary Conference. When under these conditions the Deputy Secretary-General succeeds to the office of the Secretary-General, the post of Deputy Secretary-General shall be considered to fall vacant on that same date and the provisions of No. 15 below shall be applied.
3. If the post of Deputy Secretary-General falls vacant more than 180 days prior to the date set for the convening of the next Plenipotentiary Conference, the Council shall appoint a successor for the balance of the term.
4. If the posts of the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General fall vacant simultaneously, the Director who has been longest in office shall discharge the duties of Secretary-General for a period not exceeding 90 days. The Council shall appoint a Secretary-General and, if the vacancies occur more than 180 days prior to the date set for the convening of the next Plenipotentiary Conference, a Deputy Secretary-General. An official thus appointed by the Council shall serve for the balance of the term for which his predecessor was elected.

5. If the post of a Director becomes unexpectedly vacant, the Secretary-General shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the duties of that Director are carried out until the Council shall appoint a new Director at its next ordinary session following the occurrence of such a vacancy. A Director so appointed shall serve until the date fixed by the next Plenipotentiary Conference.
6. Subject to the relevant provisions of Article 27 of the Constitution, the Council shall provide for the filling of any vacancy in the post of Secretary-General or Deputy Secretary-General in the situation described in the relevant provisions of the present Article at an ordinary session, if held within 90 days after a vacancy occurs, or at a session convened by the Chairman within the periods specified in those provisions.

7. Any period of service in the post of an elected official pursuant to an appointment under Nos. 14 to 18 above shall not affect eligibility for election or re-election to such a post.

Members of the Radio Regulations Board

1. The members of the Radio Regulations Board shall take up their duties on the dates determined by the Plenipotentiary Conference at the time of their election. They shall remain in office until dates determined by the following Plenipotentiary Conference, and shall be eligible for re-election once only.
2. If, in the interval between two Plenipotentiary Conferences, a member of the Board resigns or is no longer in a position to perform his duties, the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Director of the Radio communication Bureau, shall invite the Members of the Union of the region concerned to propose candidates for the election of a replacement at the next session of the Council. However, if the vacancy occurs more than 90 days before a session of the Council or after the session of the Council preceding the next Plenipotentiary Conference, the Member of the Union concerned shall designate, as soon as possible and within 90 days, another national as a replacement who will remain in office until the new member elected by the Council takes office or until the new members of the Board elected by the next Plenipotentiary Conference take office, as appropriate. The replacement shall be eligible for election by the Council or by the Plenipotentiary Conference, as appropriate.
3. A member of the Radio Regulations Board is considered no longer in a position to perform his duties after repeated consecutive absences from the Board meetings. The Secretary-General shall, after consultation with the Board’s Chairman as well as the member of the Board and the Member of the Union concerned, declare existence of a vacancy in the Board and shall proceed as stipulated in No. 21 above.

ARTICLE  3

Other Conferences

1. In conformity with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the following world conferences of the Union shall normally be convened within the period between two Plenipotentiary Conferences:

a) two world radiocommunication conferences;

b) one world telecommunication standardization conference;

c) one world telecommunication development conference;

d) two radiocommunication assemblies, associated in place and time with world radiocommunication conferences.

2. Exceptionally, within the period between Plenipotentiary Conferences:

– the second world radio communication conference may be cancelled together with its associated radio communication assembly; alternatively, either one may be cancelled even if the other is held;

– an additional telecommunication standardization conference may be convened.

3.  These actions shall be taken:

a) by a decision of a Plenipotentiary Conference;

b) on the recommendation of the previous world conference of the Sector concerned, if approved by the Council;

c) at the request of at least one-quarter of the Members of the Union, which shall individually address their requests to the Secretary-General; or

d) on a proposal of the Council.

4.  A regional radiocommunication conference shall be convened:

a) by a decision of a Plenipotentiary Conference;

b) on the recommendation of a previous world or regional radiocommunication conference if approved by the Council;

c) at the request of at least one-quarter of the Members belonging to the region concerned, which shall individually address their requests to the Secretary-General; or

d) on a proposal of the Council.

5.     (1) The precise place and the exact dates of a world or regional conference or radio communication assembly may be fixed by a Plenipotentiary Conference.

(2) In the absence of such a decision, the Council shall determine the precise place and the exact dates of a world conference or radio communication assembly with the concurrence of a majority of the Members of the Union, and of a regional conference with the concurrence of a majority of the Members of the Union belonging to the region concerned; in both cases the provisions of No. 47 below shall apply.

6. (1) The precise place and the exact dates of a conference or assembly may be changed:

a) at the request of at least one-quarter of the Members of the Union in the case of a world conference or assembly, or of at least one-quarter of the Members of the Union belonging to the region concerned in the case of a regional conference. Their requests shall be addressed individually to the Secretary-General, who shall transmit them to the Council for approval; or

b) on a proposal of the Council.

   (2) In the cases specified in Nos. 44 and 45 above, the changes proposed shall not be finally adopted until accepted by a majority of the Members of the Union, in the case of a world conference or assembly, or by a majority of the Members of the Union belonging to the region concerned, in the case of a regional conference, subject to the provisions of No. 47 below.

7. In the consultations referred to in Nos. 42, 46, 118, 123, 138, 302, 304, 305, 307 and 312 of this Convention, Members of the Union who have not replied within the time limits specified by the Council shall be regarded as not participating in the consultations, and in consequence shall not be taken into account in computing the majority. If the number of replies does not exceed one-half of the Members consulted, a further consultation shall take place, the results of which shall be decisive regardless of the number of votes cast.
8. (1) World conferences on international telecommunications shall be held upon decision by the Plenipotentiary Conference.

    (2) The provisions for the convening of, the adoption of the agenda of, and the participation in a world radiocommunication conference shall, as appropriate, equally apply to world conferences on international telecommunications.

SECTION  2

ARTICLE  4

The Council

1. The Council is composed of forty-three Members of the Union elected by the Plenipotentiary Conference.
2.      (1) The Council shall hold an ordinary session annually at the seat of the Union.

(2) During this session it may decide to hold, exceptionally, an additional session.

(3) Between ordinary sessions, it may be convened, as a general rule at the seat of the Union, by the Chairman at the request of a majority of its Members, or on the initiative of the Chairman under the conditions provided for in No. 18 of this Convention.

3. The Council shall take decisions only in session. Exceptionally, the Council in session may agree that any specific issue shall be decided by correspondence.
4. At the beginning of each ordinary session, the Council shall elect its own Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among the representatives of its Members, taking into account the principle of rotation between the regions. They shall serve until the opening of the next ordinary session and shall not be eligible for re-election. The Vice-Chairman shall serve as Chairman in the absence of the latter.
5. The person appointed to serve on the Council by a Member of the Council shall, so far as possible, be an official serving in, or directly responsible to, or for, their telecommunication administration and qualified in the field of telecommunication services.

6. Only the travelling, subsistence and insurance expenses incurred by the representative of each Member of the Council in his capacity at Council sessions shall be borne by the Union.
7. The representative of each Member of the Council shall have the right to attend, as an observer, all meetings of the Sectors of the Union.
8. The Secretary-General shall act as Secretary of the Council.
9. The Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux may participate as of right in the deliberations of the Council, but without taking part in the voting. Nevertheless, the Council may hold meetings confined to the representatives of its own Members.
10. The Council shall consider each year the report prepared by the Secretary-General on the recommended strategic policy and planning for the Union in keeping with the guidelines given by the Plenipotentiary Conference and shall take appropriate action.
11. The Council shall, in the interval between two Plenipotentiary Conferences, supervise the overall management and administration of the Union; it shall in particular:

(1) approve and revise the Staff Regulations and the Financial Regulations of the Union and any other regulations as it may consider necessary, taking account of current practice of the United Nations and of the specialized agencies applying the common system of pay, allowances and pensions;

(2) adjust as necessary:

a) the basic salary scales for staff in the professional and higher categories, excluding the salaries for posts filled by election, to accord with any changes in the basic salary scales adopted by the United Nations for the corresponding common system categories;

b) the basic salary scales for staff in the general services categories to accord with changes in the rates applied by the United Nations and the specialized agencies at the seat of the Union;

c) the post adjustment for professional and higher categories, including posts filled by election, in accordance with decisions of the United Nations for application at the seat of the union;

d) the allowances for all staff of the Union, in accordance with any changes adopted in the United Nations common system;

(3) take decisions to ensure equitable geographical distribution of the staff of the Union and monitor the implementation of such decisions;

(4) decide on proposals for major organizational changes within the General Secretariat and the Bureaux of the Sectors of the Union consistent with the Constitution and this Convention, submitted to it by the Secretary-General following their consideration by the Coordination Committee;

(5) examine and decide on plans concerning Union posts and staff and human resources development programmes covering several years, and give guidelines for the staffing of the Union, including on staffing levels and structures, taking into account the guidelines given by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the relevant provisions of Article 27 of the Constitution;

(6) adjust, as necessary, the contributions payable by the Union and its staff to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, in accordance with the Fund’s rules and regulations, as well as the cost of living allowances to be granted to beneficiaries of the Union Staff Superannuation and Benevolent Funds on the basis of the practice followed by the Fund;

(7) review and approve the biennial budget of the Union, and consider the budget forecast for the two-year period following that budget, taking account of the decisions of the Plenipotentiary Conference in relation to No. 50 of the Constitution and of the limits for expenditures set by that Conference in accordance with No. 51 of the Constitution; it shall ensure the strictest possible economy but be mindful of the obligation upon the Union to achieve satisfactory results as expeditiously as possible. In so doing, the Council shall take into account the views of the Coordination Committee as contained in the report by the Secretary-General mentioned in No. 86 and the financial operating report mentioned in No. 101 of this Convention;

(8) arrange for the annual audit of the accounts of the Union prepared by the Secretary-General and approve them, if appropriate, for submission to the next Plenipotentiary Conference;

(9) arrange for the convening of the conferences of the Union and provide, with the consent of a majority of the Members of the Union in the case of a world conference, or of a majority of the Members of the Union belonging to the region concerned in the case of a regional conference, appropriate directives to the General Secretariat and the Sectors of the Union with regard to their technical and other assistance in the preparation for and organization of conferences;

(10) take decisions in relation to No. 28 of this Convention;

(11) decide upon the implementation of any decisions which have been taken by conferences and which have financial implications;

(12) to the extent permitted by the Constitution, this Convention and the Administrative Regulations, take any other action deemed necessary for the proper functioning of the Union;

(13) take any necessary steps, with the agreement of a majority of the Members of the Union, provisionally to resolve questions not covered by the Constitution, this Convention, the Administrative Regulations and their annexes and which cannot await the next competent conference for settlement;

(14) be responsible for effecting the coordination with all international organizations referred to in Articles 49 and 50 of the Constitution and to this end, conclude, on behalf of the Union, provisional agreements with the international organizations referred to in Article 50 of the Constitution, and with the United Nations in application of the Agreement between the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union; these provisional agreements shall be submitted to the next Plenipotentiary Conference in accordance with the relevant provision of Article 8 of the Constitution;

(15) send to Members of the Union, as soon as possible after each of its sessions, summary records on the activities of the Council and other documents deemed useful;

(16) submit to the Plenipotentiary Conference a report on the activities of the Union since the previous Plenipotentiary Conference and any appropriate recommendations.

SECTION  3

ARTICLE  5

General Secretariat

1. The Secretary-General shall:

a) be responsible for the overall management of the Union’s resources; he may delegate the management of part of these resources to the Deputy Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux, in consultation as necessary with the Coordination Committee;

b) coordinate the activities of the General Secretariat and the Sectors of the Union, taking into account the views of the Coordination Committee, with a view to assuring the most effective and economical use of the resources of the Union;

c) after consultation with the Coordination Committee and taking into account its views, prepare and submit to the Council an annual report indicating changes in the telecommunication environment and containing recommended action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy, as stipulated in No. 61 of this Convention, together with their financial implications;

d) organize the work of the General Secretariat and appoint the staff of that Secretariat in accordance with the directives of the Plenipotentiary Conference and the rules established by the Council;

e) undertake administrative arrangements for the Bureaux of the Sectors of the Union and appoint their staff on the basis of the choice and proposals of the Director of the Bureau concerned, although the final decision for appointment or dismissal shall rest with the Secretary-General;

f) report to the Council any decisions taken by the United Nations and the specialized agencies which affect common system conditions of service, allowances and pensions;

g) ensure the application of any regulations adopted by the Council;

h) provide legal advice to the Union;

i) supervise, for administrative management purposes, the staff of the Union with a view to assuring the most effective use of personnel and the application of the common system conditions of employment for the staff of the Union. The staff appointed to assist directly the Directors of the Bureaux shall be under the administrative control of the Secretary-General and shall work under the direct orders of the Directors concerned but in accordance with administrative guidelines given by the Council;

j) in the interest of the Union as a whole and in consultation with the Directors of the Bureaux concerned, temporarily reassign staff members from their appointed position as necessary to meet fluctuating work requirements at headquarters;

k) make, in agreement with the Director of the Bureau concerned, the necessary administrative and financial arrangements for the conferences and meetings of each Sector;

l) taking into account the responsibilities of the Sectors, undertake appropriate secretariat work preparatory to and following conferences of the Union;

m) prepare recommendations for the first meeting of the Heads of delegations referred to in No. 342 of this Convention, taking into account the results of any regional consultation;

n) provide, where appropriate in cooperation with the inviting government, the secretariat of conferences of the Union, and provide the facilities and services for meetings of the Union, in collaboration, as appropriate, with the Director concerned, drawing from the Union’s staff as he deems necessary in accordance with No. 93 above. The Secretary-General may also, when so requested, provide the secretariat of other telecommunication meetings on a contractual basis;

o) take necessary action for the timely publication and distribution of service documents, information bulletins, and other documents and records prepared by the General Secretariat and the Sectors, communicated to the Union or whose publication is requested by conferences or the Council; the list of documents to be published shall be maintained by the Council, following consultation with the conference concerned, with respect to service documents and other documents whose publication is requested by conferences;

p) publish periodically, with the help of information put at his disposal or which he may collect, including that which he may obtain from other international organizations, a journal of general information and documentation concerning telecommunication

q) after consultation with the Coordination Committee and making all possible economies, prepare and submit to the Council a biennial draft budget covering the expenditures of the Union within the limits laid down by the Plenipotentiary Conference. This draft shall consist of a consolidated budget, including cost-based budgets for the three Sec tors, prepared in accordance with the budget guidelines issued by the Secretary-General, and comprising two versions. One version shall be for zero growth of the contributory unit, the other for a growth less than or equal to any limit fixed by the Plenipotentiary Conference, after any drawing on the Reserve Account. The budget resolution, after approval by the Council, shall be sent for information to all Members of the Union;

r) with the assistance of the Coordination Committee, prepare an annual financial operating report in accordance with the Financial Regulations and submit it to the Council. A recapitulative financial operating report and accounts shall be prepared and submitted to the next Plenipotentiary Conference for examination and final approval;

s) with the assistance of the Coordination Committee, prepare an annual report on the activities of the Union which, after approval by the Council, shall be sent to all Members;

t) perform all other secretarial functions of the Union;

u) perform any other functions entrusted to him by the Council.

2.   The Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General may participate, in a consultative capacity, in conferences of the Union; the Secretary-General or his representative may participate in a consultative capacity in all other meetings of the Union.

SECTION  4

ARTICLE  6

Coordination Committee

1.      (1) The Coordination Committee shall assist and advise the Secretary-General on all matters mentioned               under the relevant provisions of Article 26 of the Constitution and the relevant Articles of this Convention.

(2) The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring coordination with all the international organizations mentioned in Articles 49 and 50 of the Constitution as regards representation of the Union at conferences of such organizations.

(3) The Committee shall examine the progress of the work of the Union and assist the Secretary-General in the preparation of the report referred to in No. 86 of this Convention for submission to the Council.

2. The Committee shall endeavour to reach conclusions unanimously. In the absence of the support of the majority in the Committee, its Chairman may in exceptional circumstances take decisions, on his own responsibility, provided he judges that the decision of the matters in question is urgent and cannot await the next session of the Council. In such circumstances he shall report promptly in writing on such matters to the Members of the Council, setting forth his reasons for such action together with any other written views submitted by other members of the Committee. If in such circumstances the matters are not urgent, but nevertheless important, they shall be submitted for consideration by the next session of the Council.
3. The Chairman shall convene the Committee at least once a month; the Committee may also be convened when necessary at the request of two of its members.
4. A report shall be made of the proceedings of the Coordination Committee and will be made available on request to Members of the Council.

SECTION 5

Radiocommunication Sector

ARTICLE  7

World Radio communication Conference

1. In accordance with No. 90 of the Constitution, a world radio communication conference shall be convened to consider specific radio communication matters. A world radio communication conference shall deal with those items which are included in its agenda adopted in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Article.
2. (1) The agenda of a world radio communication conference may include:

a) the partial or, exceptionally, complete revision of the Radio Regulations referred to in Article 4 of the Constitution;

b) any other question of a worldwide character within the competence of the conference;

c) an item concerning instructions to the Radio Regulations Board and the Radio communication Bureau regarding their activities, and a review of those activities;

d) the adoption of questions to be studied by the radio communication assembly, as well as matters that the assembly shall consider in relation to future radio communication

    (2) The general scope of this agenda should be established four years in advance, and the final agenda shall be       established by the Council preferably two years before the conference, with the concurrence of a majority of           the Members of the Union, subject to the provisions of No. 47 of this Convention.

      (3) This agenda shall include any question which a Plenipotentiary Conference has directed to be placed on           the agenda.

3. (1) This agenda may be changed:

a) at the request of at least one-quarter of the Members of the Union. Such requests shall be addressed individually to the Secretary-General, who shall transmit them to the Council for approval; or

b)  on a proposal of the Council.

   (2) The proposed changes to the agenda of a world radiocommunication conference shall not be finally                   adopted until accepted by a majority of the Members of the Union, subject to the provisions of No. 47 of this          Convention.

4. The conference shall also:

(1) consider and approve the report of the Director of the Bureau on the activities of the Sector since the last conference;

(2) recommend to the Council items for inclusion in the agenda of a future conference and give its views on such agendas for at least a four-year cycle of radiocommunication conferences, together with an estimate of the financial implications;

(3) include, in its decisions, instructions or requests, as appropriate, to the Secretary-General and the Sectors of the Union.

5.   The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the radio communication assembly, or of relevant study groups, may               participate in the associated world radio-communication conference.

ARTICLE  8

Radio communication Assembly

1. A radio communication assembly shall deal with and issue, as appropriate, recommendations on questions adopted pursuant to its own procedures or referred to it by the Plenipotentiary Conference, any other conference, the Council or the Radio Regulations Board.
2. With regard to No. 129 above, the radio communication assembly shall:

(1) consider the reports of study groups prepared in accordance with No. 157 of this Convention and approve, modify or reject the draft recommendations contained in those reports;

(2) bearing in mind the need to keep the demands on the resources of the Union to a minimum, approve the programme of work arising from the review of existing questions and new questions and determine the priority, urgency, estimated financial implications and time-scale for the completion of their study;

(3) decide, in the light of the approved programme of work derived from No. 132 above, on the need to maintain, terminate or establish study groups, and allocate to each of them the questions to be studied;

(4) group questions of interest to the developing countries as far as possible, in order to facilitate their participation in the study of those questions;

(5) give advice on matters within its competence in response to requests from a world radiocommunication conference;

(6) report to the associated world radiocommunication conference on the progress in matters that may be included in the agenda of future radio-communication conferences.

3. A radiocommunication assembly shall be presided over by a person designated by the government of the country in which the meeting is held or, in the case of a meeting held at the seat of the Union, by a person elected by the assembly itself. The Chairman shall be assisted by Vice-Chairmen elected by the assembly.

ARTICLE  9

Regional Radio communication Conferences

The agenda of a regional radio communication conference may provide only for specific radio communication questions of a regional nature, including instructions to the Radio Regulations Board and the Radio communication Bureau regarding their activities in respect of the region concerned, provided such instructions do not conflict with the interests of other regions. Only items included in its agenda may be discussed by such a conference. The provisions contained in Nos. 118 to 123 of this Convention shall apply to a regional radio communication conference, but only with regard to the Members of the region concerned.

ARTICLE 10

Radio Regulations Board

1. The Board is composed of nine members elected by the Plenipotentiary Conference.
2. In addition to the duties specified in Article 14 of the Constitution, the Board shall also consider reports from the Director of the Radio communication Bureau on investigations of harmful interference carried out at the request of one or more of the interested administrations, and formulate recommendations with respect thereto.
3. The members of the Board have a duty to participate, in an advisory capacity, in radio communication conferences and radio communication assemblies. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board, or their nominated representatives, have a duty to participate, in an advisory capacity, in Plenipotentiary Conferences. In all of these cases, the members having these duties shall not participate in these conferences as members of their national delegations.
4. Only the travelling, subsistence and insurance expenses incurred by the members of the Board in the exercise of their duties for the Union shall be borne by the Union.
5. The working methods of the Board shall be as follows:

(1) The members of the Board shall elect from their own members a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman for a period of one year. Thereafter the Vice-Chairman shall succeed the Chairman each year and a new Vice-Chairman shall be elected. In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Board shall elect a temporary Chairman for the occasion from among its members.

(2) The Board shall normally hold up to four meetings a year, generally at the seat of the Union, at which at least two-thirds of its members shall be present, and may carry out its duties using modern means of communication.

(3) The Board shall endeavor to reach its decisions unanimously. If it fails in that endeavor, a decision shall be valid only if at least two-thirds of the members of the Board vote in favour thereof. Each member of the Board shall have one vote; voting by proxy is not allowed.

(4) The Board may make such internal arrangements as it considers necessary in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution, this Convention and the Radio Regulations. Such arrangements shall be published as part of the Board’s Rules of Procedure.

ARTICLE     11

                         Radio communication Study Groups

1. Radio communication study groups are set up by a radio communication assembly.
2. (1) The radio communication study groups shall study questions and prepare draft recommendations on the matters referred to them in accordance with the provisions in Article 7 of this Convention. Those draft recommendations shall be submitted for approval to a radio communication assembly or, between two such assemblies, by correspondence to administrations in accor dance with procedures adopted by the assembly. Recommendations approved in either manner shall have equal status.

   (2) The study of the above questions shall, subject to No. 158 below, focus on the following:

a) use of the radio-frequency spectrum in terrestrial and space radio-communication (and of the geostationary-satellite orbit);

b) characteristics and performance of radio systems;

c) operation of radio stations;

d) radio communication aspects of distress and safety matters.

   (3) These studies shall not generally address economic questions, but when they involve comparing technical        alternatives, economic factors may be taken into consideration.

3. The radio communication study groups shall also carry out preparatory studies of the technical, operational and procedural matters to be considered by world and regional radio communication conferences and elaborate reports thereon in accordance with a programme of work adopted in this respect by a radio communication assembly or following instructions by the Council.
4. Each study group shall prepare for the radio communication assembly a report indicating the progress of work, the recommendations adopted in accordance with the consultation procedure contained in No. 149 above and any draft new or revised recommendations for consideration by the assembly.
5. Taking into account No. 79 of the Constitution, the tasks enumerated in Nos. 151 to 154 above and in No. 193 of this Convention in relation to the Telecommunication Standardization Sector shall be kept under continuing review by the Radio communication Sector and the Telecommunication Standardization Sector with a view to reaching common agreement on changes in the distribution of matters under study. The two Sectors shall cooperate closely and adopt procedures to conduct such a review and reach agreements in a timely and effective manner. If agreement is not reached, the matter may be submitted through the Council to the Plenipotentiary Conference for decision.
6. In the performance of their studies, the radio communication study groups shall pay due attention to the study of questions and to the formulation of recommendations directly connected with the establishment, development and improvement of telecommunications in developing countries at both the regional and international levels. They shall conduct their work giving due consideration to the work of national, regional and other international organizations concerned with radio communication and cooperate with them, keeping in mind the need for the Union to maintain its pre-eminent position in the field of telecommunications.
7. For the purpose of facilitating the review of activities in the Radio-communication Sector, measures should be taken to foster cooperation and coordination with other organizations concerned with radio communication and with the Telecommunication Standardization Sector and the Telecommunication Development Sector. A radio communication assembly shall deter mine the specific duties, conditions of participation and rules of procedure for these measures.

ARTICLE     12

Radio communication Bureau

1. The Director of the Radio communication Bureau shall organize and coordinate the work of the Radio communication Sector. The duties of the Bureau are supplemented by those specified in provisions of the Radio Regulations.
2.  The Director shall, in particular,

 (1) in relation to radio communication conferences:

a) coordinate the preparatory work of the study groups and the Bureau, communicate to Members the results of this preparatory work, collect their comments and submit a consolidated report to the conference which may include proposals of a regulatory nature;

b) participate as of right, but in an advisory capacity, in the deliberations of the radio communication assembly and of the radio communication study groups. The Director shall make all necessary preparations for radio communication conferences and meetings of the Radio communication Sector in consultation with the General Secretariat in accordance with No. 94 of this Convention and, as appropriate, with the other Sectors of the Union, and with due regard for the directives of the Council in carrying out these preparations;

c) provide assistance to the developing countries in their preparations for radio communication

  (2) in relation to the Radio Regulations Board:

a) prepare and submit draft Rules of Procedure for approval by the Radio Regulations Board; they shall include, inter alia, calculation methods and data required for the application of the provisions of the Radio Regulations;

b) distribute to all Members of the Union the Rules of Procedure of the Board and collect comments thereon received from administrations;

c) process information received from administrations in application of the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations and regional agreements and prepare it, as appropriate, in a form suitable for publication;

d) apply the Rules of Procedure approved by the Board, prepare and publish findings based on those Rules, and submit to the Board any review of a finding which is requested by an administration and which cannot be resolved by the use of those Rules of Procedure;

e) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations, effect an orderly recording and registration of frequency assignments and, where appropriate, the associated orbital characteristics, and keep up to date the Master International Frequency Register; review entries in that Register with a view to amending or eliminating, as appropriate, those which do not reflect actual frequency usage, in agreement with the administration concerned;

f) assist in the resolution of cases of harmful interference, at the request of one or more of the interested administrations, and where necessary, make investigations and prepare, for consideration by the Board, a report including draft recommendations to the administrations concerned;

g) act as executive secretary to the Board;

          (3)  coordinate the work of the radio communication study groups and be responsible for the organization of                 that work;

(4)  also undertake the following:

a) carry out studies to furnish advice to Members with a view to the operation of the maximum practicable number of radio channels in those portions of the spectrum where harmful interference may occur, and with a view to the equitable, effective and economical use of the geostationary-satellite orbit, taking into account the needs of Members requiring assistance, the specific needs of developing countries, as well as the special geographical situation of particular countries;

b) exchange with members data in machine-readable and other forms, prepare and keep up to date any documents and databases of the Radio communication Sector, and arrange, with the Secretary-General, as appropriate, for their publication in the working languages of the Union in accordance with No. 172 of the Constitution;

c) maintain such essential records as may be required;

d) submit to the world radio communication conference a report on the activities of the Radio communication Sector since the last conference; if a world radio communication conference is not planned, such a report covering the two-year period since the last conference shall be submitted to the Council and to the Members of the Union;

e) prepare a cost-based budget estimate for the requirements of the Radio communication Sector and transmit it to the Secretary-General for consideration by the Coordination Committee and inclusion in the Union’s budget.

3.   The Director shall choose the technical and administrative personnel of the Bureau within the framework of         the budget as approved by the Council. The appointment of the technical and administrative personnel is               made by the Secretary-General in agreement with the Director. The final decision for appointment or                     dismissal rests with the Secretary-General.

4.   The Director shall provide technical support, as necessary, to the Telecommunication Development Sector             within the framework of the Constitution and this Convention.

SECTION  6

Telecommunication Standardization Sector

ARTICLE 13

World Telecommunication Standardization Conference

1. In accordance with No. 104 of the Constitution, a world standardization conference shall be convened to consider specific matters related to telecommunication standardization.
2. The questions to be studied by a world telecommunication standardization conference, on which recommendations shall be issued, shall be those adopted pursuant to its own procedures or referred to it by the Plenipotentiary Conference, any other conference, or the Council.
3. In accordance with No. 104 of the Constitution, the conference shall:

a) consider the reports of study groups prepared in accordance with No. 194 of this Convention and approve, modify or reject draft recommendations contained in those reports;

b) bearing in mind the need to keep the demands on the resources of the Union to a minimum, approve the programme of work arising from the review of existing questions and new questions and determine the priority, urgency, estimated financial implications and time-scale for the completion of their study;

c) decide, in the light of the approved programme of work derived from No. 188 above, on the need to maintain, terminate or establish study groups and allocate to each of them the questions to be studied;

d) group, as far as practicable, questions of interest to the developing countries to facilitate their participation in these studies;

e) consider and approve the report of the Director on the activities of the Sector since the last conference.

ARTICLE     14

Telecommunication Standardization Study Groups

1.     (1) Telecommunication standardization study groups shall study questions and prepare draft recommendations on the matters referred to them in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of this Convention. Those drafts shall be submitted for approval to a world telecommunication standardization conference or, between two such conferences, by correspondence to administrations in accordance with procedures adopted by the conference. Recommendations approved in either manner shall have equal

(2) The study groups shall, subject to No. 195 below, study technical, operating and tariff questions and prepare recommendations on them with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis, including recommendations on interconnection of radio systems in public telecommunication networks and on the performance required for these interconnections. Technical or operating questions specifically related to radio communication as enumerated in Nos. 151 to 154 of this Convention shall be within the purview of the Radio communication Sector.

(3) Each study group shall prepare for the telecommunication standardization conference a report indicating the progress of work, the recommendations adopted in accordance with the consultation procedure contained in No. 192 above, and any draft new or revised recommendations for consideration by the conference.

2. Taking into account No. 105 of the Constitution, the tasks enumerated in No. 193 above and those enumerated in Nos. 151 to 154 of this Convention in relation to the Radio communication Sector shall be kept under continuing review by the Telecommunication Standardization Sector and the Radio communication Sector with a view to reaching common agreement on changes in the distribution of matters under study. The two Sectors shall cooperate closely and adopt procedures to conduct such a review and reach agreements in a timely and effective manner. If agreement is not reached, the matter may be submitted through the Council to the Plenipotentiary Conference for decision.
3. In the performance of their studies, the telecommunication standardization study groups shall pay due attention to the study of questions and to the formulation of recommendations directly connected with the establishment, development and improvement of telecommunications in developing countries at both the regional and international levels. They shall conduct their work giving due consideration to the work of national, regional and other international standardization organizations, and cooperate with them, keeping in mind the need for the Union to maintain its pre-eminent position in the field of worldwide standardization for telecommunications.
4. For the purpose of facilitating the review of activities in the Tele communication Standardization Sector, measures should be taken to foster cooperation and coordination with other organizations concerned with telecommunication standardization and with the Radiocommunication Sector and the Telecommunication Development Sector. A world telecommunication standardization conference shall determine the specific duties, conditions of participation and rules of procedure for these measures.

ARTICLE     15

Telecommunication Standardization Bureau

1. The Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau shall organize and coordinate the work of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector.
2.  The Director shall, in particular:

a) update annually the work programme approved by the world tele communication standardization conference, in consultation with the Chairmen of the telecommunication standardization study groups;

b) participate, as of right, but in an advisory capacity, in the deliberations of the world telecommunication standardization conferences and of the telecommunication standardization study groups. The Director shall make all necessary preparations for conferences and meetings of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector in consultation with the General Secretariat in accordance with No. 94 of this Convention and, as appropriate, with the other Sectors of the Union, and with due regard for the directives of the Council concerning these preparations;

c) process information received from administrations in application of the relevant provisions of the International Telecommunication Regulations or decisions of the world telecommunication standardization conference and prepare it, where appropriate, in a suitable form for publication;

d) exchange with members data in machine-readable and other forms, prepare and, as necessary, keep up to date any documents and data bases of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector, and arrange with the Secretary-General, where appropriate, for their publication in the working languages of the Union in accordance with No. 172 of the Constitution;

e) submit to the world telecommunication standardization conference a report on the activities of the Sector since the last conference; he shall also submit to the Council and to the Members of the Union such a report covering the two-year period since the last conference, unless a second conference is convened;

f) prepare a cost-based budget estimate for the requirements of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector and transmit it to the Secretary-General for consideration by the Coordination Committee and inclusion in the Union’s budget.

3.   The Director shall choose the technical and administrative personnel of the Telecommunication                               Standardization Bureau within the framework of the budget as approved by the Council. The appointment of         the technical and administrative personnel is made by the Secretary-General in agreement with the                         Director. The final decision on appointment or dismissal rests with the Secretary-General.

4.   The Director shall provide technical support, as necessary, to the Telecommunication Development Sector             within the framework of the Constitution and this Convention.

SECTION      7

Telecommunication Development Sector

ARTICLE     16

Telecommunication Development Conferences

1. In accordance with No. 118 of the Constitution, the duties of the telecommunication development conferences shall be as follows:

a) world telecommunication development conferences shall establish work programmes and guidelines for defining telecommunication development questions and priorities and shall provide direction and guidance for the work programme of the Telecommunication Development Sector. They may set up study groups, as necessary;

b) regional telecommunication development conferences may give advice to the Telecommunication Development Bureau concerning the specific telecommunication requirements and characteristics of the region concerned, and may also submit recommendations to world telecommunication development conferences;

c) the telecommunication development conferences should fix the objectives and strategies for the balanced worldwide and regional development of telecommunications, giving particular consideration to the expansion and modernization of the networks and services of the developing countries as well as the mobilization of the resources required for this purpose. They shall serve as a forum for the study of policy, organizational, operational, regulatory, technical and financial questions and related aspects, including the identification and implementation of new sources of funding;

d) world and regional telecommunication development conferences, within their respective sphere of competence, shall consider reports submitted to them and evaluate the activities of the Sector; they may also consider telecommunication development aspects related to the activities of the other Sectors of the Union.

2. The draft agenda of telecommunication development conferences shall be prepared by the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau and be submitted by the Secretary-General to the Council for approval with the concurrence of a majority of the Members of the Union in the case of a world conference, or of a majority of the Members of the Union belonging to the region concerned in the case of a regional conference, subject to the provisions of No.47 of this Convention.

ARTICLE  17

Telecommunication Development Study Groups

1. Telecommunication development study groups shall deal with specific telecommunication questions of general interest to developing countries, including the matters enumerated in No. 211 above. Such study groups shall be limited in number and created for a limited period of time, subject to the availability of resources, shall have specific terms of reference on questions and matters of priority to developing countries and shall be task-oriented.
2. Taking into account No. 119 of the Constitution, the Radio communication, Telecommunication Standardization and Telecommunication Development Sectors shall keep the matters under study under continuing review with a view to reaching agreement on the distribution of work, avoiding duplication of effort and improving coordination. The Sectors shall adopt procedures to conduct such reviews and reach such agreement in a timely and effective manner.

ARTICLE 18

Telecommunication Development Bureau and Advisory Board

1. The Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau shall organize and coordinate the work of the Telecommunication Development Sector.
2. The Director shall, in particular:

a) participate as of right, but in an advisory capacity, in the deliberations of the telecommunication development conferences and of the tele communication development study groups. The Director shall make all necessary preparations for conferences and meetings of the Telecommunication Development Sector in consultation with the General Secretariat in accordance with No. 94 of this Convention and, as appropriate, with the other Sectors of the Union, and with due regard for the directives of the Council in carrying out these preparations;

b) process information received from administrations in application of the relevant resolutions and decisions of the Plenipotentiary Conference and telecommunication development conferences and prepare it, where appropriate, in a suitable form for publication;

c) exchange with members data in machine-readable and other forms, prepare and, as necessary, keep up to date any documents and databases of the Telecommunication Development Sector, and arrange with the Secretary-General, as appropriate, for their publication in the working languages of the Union in accordance with No. 172 of the Constitution;

d) assemble and prepare for publication, in cooperation with the General Secretariat and the other Sectors of the Union, both technical and administrative information that might be especially useful to developing countries in order to help them to improve their telecommunication networks. Their attention shall also be drawn to the possibilities offered by the international programmes under the auspices of the United Nations;

e) submit to the world telecommunication development conference a report on the activities of the Sector since the last conference; the Director shall also submit to the Council and to the Members of the Union such a report covering the two-year period since the last conference;

f) prepare a cost-based budget estimate for the requirements of the Tele communication Development Sector and transmit it to the Secretary-General for consideration by the Coordination Committee and inclusion in the Union’s budget.

3.   The Director shall work collegially with the other elected officials in order to ensure that the Union’s catalytic role in stimulating telecommunication development is strengthened and shall make the necessary arrangements with the Director of the Bureau concerned for the convening of information meetings on the activities of the Sector concerned.

4.    At the request of the Members concerned, the Director, with the assistance of the Directors of the other Bureaux and, where appropriate, the Secretary-General, shall study and offer advice concerning their national telecommunication problems; where a comparison of technical alternatives

5.    The Director shall choose the technical and administrative personnel of the Telecommunication Development Bureau within the framework of the budget as approved by the Council. The appointment of the personnel is made by the Secretary-General in agreement with the Director. The final decision for appointment or dismissal rests with the Secretary-General.

6.    A Telecommunication Development Advisory Board shall be established and the members of the Board shall be appointed by the Director in consultation with the Secretary-General. The Board shall be composed of persons with a wide and equitable cross-section of interests and expertise in telecommunication development and shall elect its chairman from among its members. The Board shall advise the Director, who shall participate in its meetings, on priorities and strategies in the Union’s telecommunication devel opment activities; it shall, inter alia, recommend steps to foster cooperation and coordination with other organizations interested in telecommunication development.

SECTION 8

Provisions Common to the Three Sectors

ARTICLE 19

Participation of Entities and Organizations Other than

Administrations in the Union’s Activities

1. The Secretary-General and the Directors of the Bureaux shall encourage the enhanced participation in the activities of the Union of the following entities and organizations:

a) recognized operating agencies, scientific or industrial organizations and financial or development institutions which are approved by the Member concerned;

b) other entities dealing with telecommunication matters which are approved by the Member concerned;

c) regional and other international telecommunication, standardization, financial or development organizations.

2. The Directors of the Bureaux shall maintain close working relations with those entities and organizations which are authorized to participate in the activities of one or more of the Sectors of the Union.
3. Any request from an entity listed in No. 229 above to participate in the work of a Sector, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution and this Convention, approved by the Member concerned shall be forwarded by the latter to the Secretary-General.
4. Any request from an entity referred to in No. 230 above submitted by the Member concerned shall be handled in conformity with a procedure established by the Council. Such a request shall be reviewed by the Council with respect to its conformity with the above procedure.
5. Any request from any entity or organization listed in No. 231 above (other than those referred to in Nos. 260 and 261 of this Convention) to participate in the work of a Sector shall be sent to the Secretary-General and acted upon in accordance with procedures established by the Council.
6. Any request from an organization referred to in Nos. 260 to 262 of this Convention to participate in the work of a Sector shall be sent to the Secretary-General, and the organization concerned shall be included in the lists referred to in No. 237 below.
7. The Secretary-General shall compile and maintain lists of all entities and organizations referred to in Nos. 229 to 231 and Nos. 260 to 262 of this Convention that are authorized to participate in the work of each Sector and shall, at appropriate intervals, publish and distribute these lists to all Members and to the Director of the Bureau concerned. That Director shall advise such entities and organizations of the action taken on their requests.
8. Entities and organizations contained in the lists referred to in No. 237 above are also referred to as “members” of the Sectors of the Union; the conditions of their participation in the Sectors are specified in this Article, in Article 33 and in other relevant provisions of this Convention. The provisions of Article 3 of the Constitution do not apply to them.

9. A recognized operating agency may act on behalf of the Member which has recognized it, provided that Member informs the Director of the Bureau concerned that it is authorized to do so.
10. Any entity or organization authorized to take part in the work of a Sector has the right to denounce such participation by notifying the Secretary-General. Such participation may also be denounced, where appropriate, by the Member concerned. Such denunciation shall take effect at the end of one year from the date when notification is received by the Secretary-General.
11. The Secretary-General shall delete from the list of entities and organizations any entity or organization that is no longer authorized to participate in the work of a Sector, in accordance with criteria and procedures determined by the Council.

ARTICLE  20

Conduct of Business of Study Groups

1. The radio communication assembly, the world telecommunication standardization conference and the world telecommunication development conference shall appoint a Chairman and normally one Vice-Chairman of each study group. In appointing Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, particular consideration shall be given to the requirements of competence and equitable geographical distribution, and to the need to promote more efficient participation by the developing countries.
2. If the workload of any study group requires, the assembly or conference shall appoint such additional Vice-Chairmen as it deems necessary, normally not more than two in total.

3. If, in the interval between two assemblies or conferences of the Sector concerned, a study group Chairman is unable to carry out his duties and only one Vice-Chairman has been appointed, then that Vice-Chairman shall take the Chairman’s place. In the case of a study group for which more than one Vice-Chairman has been appointed, the study group at its next meeting shall elect a new Chairman from among those Vice-Chairmen and, if necessary, a new Vice-Chairman from among the members of the study group. It shall likewise elect a new Vice-Chairman if one of the Vice-Chairmen is unable to carry out his duties during that period.
4. Study groups shall conduct their work as far as possible by correspondence, using modern means of communication.
5. The Director of the Bureau of each Sector, on the basis of the decisions of the competent conference or assembly, after consultation with the Secretary-General and coordination as required by the Constitution and Convention, shall draw up the general plan of study group meetings.
6. Study groups may initiate action for obtaining approval from Members for recommendations completed between two assemblies or conferences. The procedures to be applied for obtaining such approval shall be those approved by the competent assembly or conference. Recommendations so approved shall have the same status as ones approved by the conference itself.
7. Where necessary, joint working parties may be established for the study of questions requiring the participation of experts from several study groups.
8. The Director of the relevant Bureau shall send the final reports of the study groups to the administrations, organizations and entities participating in the Sector. Such reports shall include a list of the recommendations approved in conformity with No. 247 above. These reports shall be sent as soon as possible and, in any event, in time for them to be received at least one month before the date of the next session of the conference concerned.

ARTICLE  21

Recommendations from One Conference to Another

1. Any conference may submit to another conference of the Union recommendations within its field of competence.
2. Such recommendations shall be sent to the Secretary-General in good time for assembly, coordination and communication, as laid down in No. 320 of this Convention.

ARTICLE  22

Relations Between Sectors and With International Organizations

1. The Directors of the Bureaux may agree, after appropriate consultation and coordination as required by the Constitution, the Convention and the decisions of the competent conferences or assemblies, to organize joint meetings of study groups of two or three Sectors, in order to study and prepare draft recommendations on questions of common interest. Such draft recommendations shall be submitted to the competent conferences or assemblies of the Sectors concerned.
2. Conferences or meetings of a Sector may be attended in an advisory capacity by the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Directors of the Bureaux of the other Sectors, or their representatives, and members of the Radio Regulations Board. If necessary, they may invite, in an advisory capacity, representatives of the General Secretariat or of any other Sector which has not considered it necessary to be represented.
3. When a Sector is invited to participate in a meeting of an international organization, its Director is authorized to make arrangements for its representation in an advisory capacity, taking into account the provisions of No. 107 of this Convention.