I NTERNATIONAL T ELECOMMUNICATION
U NION
General Secretariat
Ref:
Geneva, 28 April 2004
DM-1130
SPU/CS
To:
Contact: Claudia Sarrocco
Tel:
+41 22 730 6301
Fax:
+41 22 730 6453
E-Mail: counteringspam@itu.int
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the
ITU and Member States of the United Nations
International Organizations
ITU Sector Members
WSIS accredited NGOs, civil society entities and accredited
business entities
ITU WSIS Thematic meeting on Countering Spam,* International Conference Center of Geneva
(CICG), Geneva, 7–9 July 2004
Subject:
Dear Sir/Madam,
During the Geneva phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in
December 2003, spam—or unsolicited commercial communications—was identified as one of
the major problems affecting today's digital world.
With the growing dependence of users on the Internet and e-mail for both personal and
professional communications, the phenomenon of spam can seriously hamper the
development of the digital economy and society by undermining user confidence in online
activities. Accordingly, WSIS participants recognized that spam is a “significant and
growing problem for users, networks and the Internet as a whole” (WSIS Declaration,
paragraph 37) and, that in order to build confidence and security in the use of ICTs, there is a
need to “take appropriate action at national and international levels” (WSIS Plan of Action,
paragraph C5, d).†
In this regard, I am pleased to invite you‡ to an ITU WSIS Thematic meeting on
Countering Spam,* which will take place from 7 to 9 July 2004, at the International
Conference Center of Geneva (CICG), next to ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The
meeting is open to all UN Member States, International Organizations, ITU Sector members,
WSIS accredited NGOs and civil society entities, and accredited business entities. Please note
that the proceedings of the meeting and associated documentation will be in English only.
*
Organized as a candidate WSIS Thematic meeting for the Tunis phase of WSIS in 2005. Designation of the
thematic event will be made by the WSIS process. For additional information on WSIS Thematic meetings, see the
attached briefing note in Annex 1.
†
See: http://www.itu.int/wsis/documents/doc_multi.asp?lang=en&id=1161|1160.
‡
If necessary, please forward this invitation to the most appropriate body or administration.
Place des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Telephone +41 22 730 51 11
Telefax Gr3: +41 22 733 72 56
Telex 421 000 uit ch
Telegram ITU GENEVE
Gr4:
E-mail: itumail@itu.int
www.itu.int
+41 22 730 65 00
Regularly updated information about the event can be found at: http://www.itu.int/spam/.
A registration form for the event is attached in Annex 2, which should be returned by
18 June 2004.
Discussion during the event will based upon the themes outlined in the briefing note attached
in Annex 1. You are invited to submit, by 30 June 2004, a written contribution on any of these
themes to counteringspam@itu.int (such as national approaches to countering spam). All
written contributions will be made available on the event website.
For any additional information, please contact the ITU Strategy and Policy Unit (contact
details above).
I look forward to welcoming you at this important event.
Yours faithfully,
Yoshio UTSUMI
Secretary General
Annex 1: Briefing Note
Annex 2: Registration form
Copy: Administrations of Member States of ITU
National Regulatory Authorities
Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva