H.E. Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, gave the opening speech for the ITU Council meeting in Geneva on 20 October 2011. The meeting was attended by a high-level delegation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) headed by H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General. In his speech, H.E. Al Zaabi expressed his deep gratitude to the Secretary-General of ITU Dr. Hamadoun Toure, the delegations participating in the ITU Council meeting for this year, and member countries in the ITU Council for this display of confidence in choosing the UAE to host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly and the International Communications Conference to be held from
19 November – 14 December 2012.

In this regard, H.E. Ambassador Al Zaabi confirmed that the UAE, represented by the wise leadership of UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has proven its commitment to the ICT sector, as it  represents a top priority of the Federal Government. The UAE has witnessed a notable development within this important sector throughout the years. Since it became a member of the ITU in 1972, the UAE has participated in all deliberations and conferences of the ITU, and has actively participated in the ITU Council since its membership to the council in 2006.

He added that the UAE represents an international hub that supports innovation in the ICT sector as exemplified through hosting these two significant international events. H.E. Al Zaabi expressed his optimism towards the outcome that will transpire from the deliberations of all the ITU Council members working together in order to contribute to the advancement of the sector and its policies on an international scale. 

H.E. Al Zaabi remarked during his speech that on behalf of the UAE all the delegations are invited to participate in the deliberations of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly and the International Communications Conference next year.

The International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) is a convention within the ITU, which forms the general principles to provide and operate international telecommunications. The regulations are designed to facilitate the international inter-connection and inter-operation of the telecommunication infrastructure, support the harmonious development and operational capacity of the technological utilities, and enhance the capacity and availability of international telecommunication services. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly is as important as the International Communications Conference as it sets the ICT standards and defines, within the telecommunication standardization sector, the overall direction, structure, and general policy for the sector. The assembly also establishes the study groups and approves the expected work program for the next four years period.