FINISHED FILEITU COUNCIL SESSION

JUNE 2, 20162 P.M. CET

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>> CHAIR: Good afternoon, dear colleagues. Welcome back from lunch and I hope you had a good lunch and are ready to tackle our agenda this afternoon which you will find in document C16/115 Revision 11. As you can see we have two documents on the agenda, a report on the Standing Committee on Administration and Management and an information document on Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of the Council Working Groups and expert group. We will start to present document C16/115. Mr. Oparan.

>> Thank you very much, Madam Chair. At the outset I would like to commend the Secretariat for having all six working languages, all six versions. And so clearly everything is proceeding on plan.

The Standing Committee on Administration and Management held seven sessions which considered and studied 45 documents including four INF documents and three DTs. The Committee recommends to the Council to adopt three decisions and eight Resolutions which have been annexed to this report. Now I suggest we go section by section and document by document and will appeal to the Chair every time for the approval of the documents. The first document is C16/34 Rev 1, the information and

communications technology fund. We recommend to the Council to take note of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Are there any comments on the recommendation that the Committee has for the Council to take note of document C16/34 revision 1? I see no requests for the floor. So I invite the Council to approve this recommendation. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Your next item. >> Leadership -- leadership on -- the group Committee

recommends to the (speaking in a non-English language). I'm sorry. Document C16/45, the committee recommends to the Council to take note of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Oparan. Brazil please. >> BRAZIL: Thank you, Madam Chair. During the ADM

Committee when we were discussing some efficiency measures that we could take on from now on and there was support for paperless WPC and I wonder if we could include in the recommendation from the ADM that WTDC 17 and PP18 are held paperless. And then in PP18 we take the decision for the further big conferences of the ITU. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Mr. Oparan. >> The Administrative Committee sees no problem with that

and can accept Brazil's proposal. >> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I invite Council to

approve the recommendation that Council take note of document C16/45 and the recommendation that WTDC and Plenipot 18 take place in a paperless fashion. Thank you very much. Mr. Sanou, please.

>> BRAHIMA SANOU: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. It is just for clarification as we are going to implement that immediately. In the past we used to have -- the last WTDC was paperless. But we could give copies to the Delegate on request. Do we mean that even this request should not be taken in to account? Just for clarification to make sure that we really implement this decision.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Brazil, please. >> BRAZIL: Thank you. I think for us in our point of view

it could be completely paperless but that's our opinion. I mean if we could reach an agreement here that in between Council that it will be paperless then the Secretariat will have a better knowledge of how much budget we will save because if we have this conditionality of, you know, maybe some Delegations who ask for paper and then it becomes uncertain how much money we would save. So I would like to propose that we agree that it is completely paperless and Delegations take care of their necessity printing by themselves.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Brazil. India, please. >> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We appreciate the views

from Brazil. But what we would like to share with you here is WTDC is a Summit level conference where sometimes Ministers and Vice Ministers they come and sometimes they really may not be, you know, laptop, notepad savvy. So based on the request the hard copy could be made available if a Member State requests. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, India. Cuba, please. >> CUBA: Thank you very much. We don't oppose there being

a paperless meeting, but as the BDT director said we would like it to be that if a Delegation needs a written document so as to carry out a consultation, I think that that should be available on paper when requested, particularly as required for a Delegation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Cuba. Canada please. >> CANADA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a brief

intervention to support the proposal by Brazil. Thank you. >> CHAIR: Thank you, Canada. Senegal. >> SENEGAL: Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to

support the proposal by the BDT director that Delegations if they wish may receive paper copies on request.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Senegal. USA, please. >> UNITED STATES: Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, the

United States supports the concept of paperless, but I think we have to take in to account accessibility issues and that in those exceptions, you know, may need to be made. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Iran, please. >> ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN: Thank you, Madam Chairman.

The WTDC is a conference which is called a conference, not an Assembly to attract all Developing Countries. We should make provisions for some latitudes to provide assistance to some countries that may need paper. Article 2 of the Constitution says that we provide paper to countries if there is a special request made available. And with respect to the Plenipotentiary, Madam Chair, you could decide provisionally but you should leave it to the Plenipotentiary to decide for its own arrangements but not Council. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Arasteh. Russia, please.

>> RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Thank you, Madam Chair. We are unable to decide on behalf of the conference here. All we can do is recommend. And so perhaps in order to settle this discussion what we could do is to say generally paperless with limited number of paper copies.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Russia. The recommendation of the ADM Committee is to note Document C16/45 but not to make

decisions on the individual efficiency measures. So perhaps we could just note the document and invite counselors, Member States, and the Secretariat to take account of the comments made during this session. Okay. So we will note Document C16/45. And move to item No. 3. Mr. Oparan.

>> Thank you. Section 3 refers to Document C16/38, strategy for the coordination of efforts among the three sectors of the union, Resolution 191. The ADM Committee recommends to the Council to take note of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I open the floor for any comments. Seeing no comments I invite Council to approve the recommendation that we note Document C16/38. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item No. 4. >> Section 4, Document C16/16, cost recovery for the

processing of satellite network filings. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Are there any comments or questions from the floor? Seeing none I invite the Council to approve the recommendation that Council take note of document C16/16. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item 5. >> Section 5, arrears and special arrears account.

Document C16/11 Revision 1. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council first take note of Document C16/11 Revision 1. Secondly, authorize the Secretary-General to write off the sum of 7,244,136.88 Swiss francs of interest on arrears and irrecoverable debts. Thirdly, adopt the draft decision contained in Annex A of this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. The floor is open for comments. Seeing no comments I invite the Council to approve the recommendation 5.7. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item 6, please. >> Section 6, document C16/103, contributory shares of the

Republic of Kazakhstan for defraying union expenses. The ADM Committee recognizes the Committee note the request of -- contained Annex B of this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I open the floor for comment. Seeing no comment I invite the Council to approve that Resolution in Annex B of the report. Thank you very much. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 7 please. >> Section 7, report by the Chairman of the Council Working

Group on financial and human resources, Documents C16/50,

C16/DT/5 and C16/DT7. The Administrative Committee recommends the Council take note of the work of the Council Working Group on financial and human resources as presented in Document C16/50. And to consider where appropriate the use presented at the ADM Committee and approve and adopt the proposed amendments to Decision 495 as contained in Annex C to this report. And the revision of Resolution 1333 contained in Annex D in this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I open the floor for comments. Canada, please.

>> CANADA: Thank you, Madam Chair. And I would like to especially thank the Chairman of the ADM for an excellent job. We are all very grateful. Just a couple of brief comments on Resolution 1333. Madam Chair, Canada is pleased to see that the issue of gender balance is reflected in Annex 1. But to that effect we should remind ourselves that the facts in the current composition of the Council Working Groups as reflected by information document 9 I believe clearly indicates that of the six remaining Council Working Groups all Chairs are men and of the 25 Vice Chairs only four are women, two of which belonging to the same Working Group.

Madam Chair, when we reconvened very nice interventions on the issue of Geneva gender champions. We should remind ourselves being one of the champions we are to a certain extent to sign the panel pledge that clearly calls for equal participation of women in every single panel as to how the concept of a panel would be applicable to our Working Group is up to you, Madam Chair, to decide. But finally, in this context, Madam Chair, Canada looks forward to having a woman to be one of the five elected officials. Thank you very much.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Canada. Seeing no other requests for the floor I invite the Council to approve the amendments to Decision 495 in Annex C to this report. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: I now invite the Council to approve the revision of Resolution 1333 found in Annex D to this report. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item No. 8 please. >> Section 8, international numbering resources. Three

documents have been considered, C16/69, C16/79, and C16/96. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council task the Council Working Group on financial and human resources to further study the issue and to come back with a proposal on this issue to the next Council.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. The floor is open for comment. Saudi Arabia, please.

>> SAUDI ARABIA: Simply just to reflect in the discussion

that further studies need to be undertaken. We request the Council to request from the Secretariat two things. One to provide a study that identifies all possible sources of revenues, not just INRs to be submitted to the next Council 2017. The second thing to be requested from the Secretariat to submit to the next Council the financial implications of the INR proposals discussed in this Council taking in to account the different views raised by counselors. So if you could include these two points in the recommendations. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Saudi Arabia. India, please. >> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We have carefully gone

over the proposal from Saudi Arabia which says when referring back to the Council Working Group we should have a specific mandate carried out. While agreeing with the proposals by Saudi Arabia but one thing we are not clear with regard to INRs we have sufficient information and most studies done and most Member States all supported the services provided should be in a cost recovery basis. So by we deferring the particular issue I am saying with generation of new revenues Council Working Group can still study and come back.

With regard to the INR issue, what specific study are you expecting to do? If that's clear to us in the next Council we will take an issue on that. As we saw in the help group we have seen in (inaudible) from the Study Groups and Secretariat has given enough details about what are the deficit budget. They are already doing more than 700,000 per annum in fulfilling the services requirement. And also the general view is about we should probably -- every service based on cost recovery. So the details, information and background everything is available with us. Yeah, there is disagreement. Perhaps a wise thing in this case would be to refer this particular issue to the next Council rather than sending this particular aspect back to the Working Group. There is nothing more to be done on this subject. With regard to other source of revenue, Council Working Group can still study and come back. Our view is that this particular issue that be referred to the next Council session to take appropriation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, India. Nigeria, please. >> NIGERIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, Madam Chair, it

is true that when the issue of the Secretariat generating revenue from INRs based on cost recovery came up there was no Consensus at the ADM Committee level. However the Nigerian administration will want to align itself with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's suggestion modified by India that this issue be brought directly to Council and not to the Council Working Group. However, Madam Chair, during the debate the Nigerian administration had asked some pertinent questions which the Committee was not able to

address. And the Nigerian administration expected some answers from those administrations that are not in support of the submission by the Secretariat on revenue generation through their INR charges on cost recovery basis. The three pertinent questions asked by these administrations are as follows: What exactly are those administrations against, that's No. 1. And No. 2, how will any INR charges affect them and their administrations since the subscribers/users will bear these charges. And the third question was how do they want the Secretariat to generate the revenue that we requested from them taking in to consideration the proposed options from the Secretariat.

Madam Chair, these questions are yet to be answered. And the Nigerian Administration believes that if these questions are addressed and answered convincingly the Council will be in a position to find a way forward in this regard. And so Madam Chair, in order for the records to be put straight, the Nigerian Administration will want these three questions be recorded in the minutes of your Plenary in order for reference to be made to these questions. And if possible, maybe at the next Council meeting some administrations who are opposed to the submission of the Secretariat will be in a position to provide answers to these questions. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Nigeria. United Arab Emirates. >> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Good afternoon, everyone. Madam Chair, this topic was extensively discussed and therefore I would not be lengthy in my intervention. Many of the things that we would have liked to present we have already presented in previous interventions whether in the Working Group or to the Council or in this August Assembly.

Madam Chair, there is a question or topic that we would like the Secretariat to study which are the consequences, the financial consequences on the T sector or the budget of the T sector in the event this topic is not adopted. I had already asked Mr. Ba that question during the Admin Committee meeting however had the expenses relative to such numbers be covered. He said they were covered from other sectors, not the T sector and there will be new activities in the ITU. And we have adopted a new Working Group during this session of the Council to study the ITRs. And therefore there will be financial consequences on the long term with the question of the INRs. We hope that the Secretariat can carry out a study to find out the implication, the financial ones with the T sector and such a study presented to the Working Group. And the Council as referring this to the Council section next year to be studied by the Working Group on financial and human resources it should be given an opportunity to the Council to study the topic before presenting it to the

next session of the Council. Thank you, Ms. Chair. >> CHAIR: Thank you very much. USA, please. >> UNITED STATES: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. And

good afternoon, friends. Just very briefly if we understood the Saudi Arabia proposal correctly one of their recommendations was to have the Council Working Group analyze all potential revenue sources, not just INRs. And we would support that recommendation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, U.S. There were a number of proposals made during this Plenary session. Morocco. You have the floor please.

>> MOROCCO: Thank you, Madam Chair. I will be very brief. I think that we have discussed this point enough and we have even created an Ad Hoc Group. There was no Consensus there. And I think that what is proposed as a recommendation is satisfactory to everyone. However we do note the recommendation made by -- proposal made by Saudi Arabia to modify this recommendation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Mr. Oparan, please. >> Thank you Madam Chair. We carefully listened to all of

those who took the floor and I also consulted with the Secretariat. We don't see any hindrance to changing the text of the recommendation in accordance with the proposal from Saudi Arabia. And also with a few additions proposed by Nigeria. And in that form we propose that this recommendation be edited and then be adopted in that form. And it is up to the financial and human resources Working Group to consider this.

>> CHAIR: India, please. >> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Just to seek clarity,

Chairman, that we made a request in the aspect of INRs with the existing status should be referred to the next Council session. That's what we requested as an amendment to Saudi Arabia's proposal. I hope that's included.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, India. I believe we are going to need to see a text on the screen in order to understand what it is that we are adopting. Mr. Oparan.

>> Just before the meeting we were talking to colleagues from Saudi Arabia and they promised to prepare a short text for inclusion in the text of the recommendation. I believe that would be the right way of approaching this issue. Of course, if they don't object.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Saudi Arabia. >> SAUDI ARABIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. The text is

ready. Would you like me to send it to somebody in particular or to you personally?

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. You can send it to the governing body's e-mail and when it arrives we'll return to this

item. Thank you. Let's move on to item No. 9. Mr. Oparan. >> Section 9, digital object architecture, DOA and the

master framework agreement between ITU and the DONA Foundation. The documents considered were C16/78, C16/93 and C16/89. There are recommendations from the ADM Committee. The first one is the Committee considers that the MoU between ITU and DONA Foundation is in the interest of the ITU membership and shall be continued.

The second recommendation is that the Committee recommends that considering the fact that the majority of Member States who spoke on the subject want a continuation of the MoU with the DONA Foundation. Further dialogue between the TSB and interested Member States should take place to help increase the level of understanding of activities undertaken by the ITU on DOA and ITU's relationship with the DONA Foundation. The third recommendation is confirm the technical study of DOA, is a matter of the relevant ITU Study Groups. And that there is no need for Council intervention on that matter. Neither of these studies shall be linked to the general MoU signed with the DONA Foundation.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Oparan. The floor is open for comment. United States, please.

>> UNITED STATES: Thank you, Madam Chair. With respect to the recommendation in Section 9 we propose deletion of paragraph 9.6. Paragraph 9.7 actually reflects the Consensus that the MoU will be continued. Paragraph 9.6 does not reflect the Consensus view regarding the interest of the MoU to ITU membership. In addition as noted in paragraph 9.5 the United States will submit a statement for the summary record. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, U.S. Canada, please. >> CANADA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to make

a couple of brief observations concerning Section 9.5. And in particular to a Document C16/78, what we see in terms of the intervention of the United States today and yesterday it is that such a statement is not only a statement but administration but a recollection of facts as per the bullets in the secretary section of that contribution. And it is also Canada's understanding that a conversation to that effect took place between the United States and the TSB and that discussion was on the specificity of those bullets. So Canada's understanding of such a statement it is not a statement in the general sense. It is a statement presented in their own right as Member States but a recollection of facts that need to be further discussed analyzed and answered to. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Canada. Kenya, please. >> KENYA: Thank you very much, Chair. I clearly hope to

speak ahead of the two Delegations because mine is light. And

the lightness is basically with the English text which I think probably maybe this would be a general comment, there are a couple of typographical issues apparent in the document I guess. The Secretariat and the Chairman are working in a bit of haste. And so, for example, 9.8 could read much better than it is in the English text, Chair. Just to note that there are a couple of other areas where there are such typographical issues in the English text. Thank you very much.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Kenya. Japan, please. >> JAPAN: Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to support

the proposal from U.S. and the intervention from Canada. I recognize that there is still different views on this MoU at the session. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Japan. Morocco, please. >> MOROCCO: Thank you, Madam Chair. We believe that 9.6

could be deleted considering that it is a recommendation. >> CHAIR: Thank you, Morocco. Australia, please. >> AUSTRALIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Australia would

also support the views of others that have gone before us that 9.6, in fact, isn't a recommendation and probably doesn't really clearly reflect what actually happened in discussion at the ADM. We think that best captured by 9.7 and in the interest of clarity and being actually an accurate record of the discussion 9.6 should be deleted. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Australia. India, please. >> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. In fact, I should

appreciate the Chairman of the ADM Committee for his patience and elaboration that he allowed the Member States to express on the subject. Just to recall the discussions they were long discussions and views were expressed and a lot of debate took place. And this was finally what was the final conclusion from the Chairman after the listening to all the views. Now looking at the views being expressed from different Member States, if you allow us we have our discussions to continue further and hope that in the interest of all of us. Overwhelming majority voice technology and activities of ITU should continue with the DONA Foundation and is in the interest of ITU and expressed during the discussions and with regard to the views of the Distinguished Delegates from the USA because they were discussed with the TSB and they wanted clarification. And it was agreed that it could be included as a personal statement from the Member State that what they further look for. Perhaps that what was concluded during the discussions and our submission is that already comprehensive discussions took place. The gist reflects the summary what has already been discussed. And if you allow us to discuss it further we are all available. Of course, there could be views from other Member States as well that may not be in the

interest of time. Thank you. >> CHAIR: Thank you, India. I would ask the Delegates to

please focus only on the recommendation and what it states in the recommendation because that's what we will be approving here is the recommendation. UAE, please.

>> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. We thank the Chair of the ADM Committee for the efforts undertaken and we do support the stated recommendation with the amendments by the USA to delete 9.6. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, UAE. Russia, please. >> RUSSIAN FEDERATION: It is not Russia. Rather it is the

Chair of the ADM Committee. We consulted with colleagues from Secretariat and we can agree with 9.6 being deleted. The other decisions that were taken at the Committee are covered in 9.7 and 9.8. And they are quite clearly covered in those. I think that could be a solution satisfactory to everyone. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Chair, of ADM. That would help ease our work here. Nigeria, please.

>> NIGERIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't think the Chair of ADM is speaking our mind. Maybe he is only preferring his own opinion. Madam Chair, these recommendations are delicate recommendations. And I will urge you not to tamper with them. Can we please allow the recommendations to go the way they are? If anything is done to these recommendations you are going to open for a fresh debate on this item. And I don't think this Council has time for such a debate to reopen on this particular matter. Can we just agree maybe, Madam Chair, you use your veto power and just rule on this particular matter and allow the recommendation to go the way they are? The position of the USA can be attached as the administration of the USA opinion. Madam Chair, these recommendations are delicate compromises and please I urge them that we allow them to go the way we are and if you can't plead with counselors to stop debate on this particular matter. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Nigeria. I would agree that getting in to editing of text is very difficult in Plenary. But what I heard is a proposal for deletion of one item that had quite a bit of support. In fact, I heard no opposition to deleting one item. So I think the situation is not as delicate as you may fear. Tunisia, please.

>> TUNISIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We agree to maintain the recommendation as it is and delete 9.6. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. India, please. And I would like to close the list. I have India, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Russian, Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Thank you. India, please.

>> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We want 9.6 continued.

Thank you. >> CHAIR: Nigeria, please. >> NIGERIA: Yes, Madam Chair. 9.6 should remain. We do

not want this particular bullet point to go. Please allow it to remain.

>> CHAIR: Rwanda, please. >> RWANDA: Rwanda also wants this 9.6 to remain. Thank

you. >> CHAIR: Russia, please. >> RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Thank you, Madam Chair. The

discussion at the ADM Committee very clearly indicated the majority considered that the MoU which was signed between the ITU and the DONA Foundation is in the -- in line with all requirements and that there are -- there is no basis for it to be annulled. And the aim of this point is to clarify that we -- that we conclude the discussion on whether or not to Council this MoU. And this was a decision by the majority. As to whether or not 9.6 is required to this purpose is not something on which I am ready to express the opinion of our Delegation, but for us it seems clear that we can maybe close this point and not waste any more time on discussing whether or not it is in line with the requirements. The Committee says it is in line with the requirements. The Secretary-General will also report on the implementation of this MoU. And based on the results of the report we can make any comments or discuss it as required. But it seems to me that the majority were in favor here. There is no doubt about that. But I have asked the majority as to whether or not this paragraph should continue to be here. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Russia. Saudi Arabia, please. >> SAUDI ARABIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. In brief, Madam

Chair, we prefer to maintain these recommendations as they are. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Mexico, please. >> MEXICO: Thank you, Madam Chair. And good afternoon,

everyone. Mexico believes that 9.6 should be deleted from the recommendation. Thank you very much.

>> CHAIR: South Africa, please. >> SOUTH AFRICA: Thank you, Chair. Chair, we would like

to acknowledge, appreciate that South Africa is being acknowledged as an observer to this meeting. And Chair, we wanted to fully support the statement issued by Nigeria to say to avoid opening up the debate again we do recommend that the recommendations as they stand inclusive of 9.6 should be retained. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. China, please. >> CHINA: We would suggest to maintain 9.6. >> CHAIR: UAE, please.

>> UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I have a proposal to make that might be agreeable to the Council with regard to 9.7 and I propose the following as the Council takes in to consideration that most of the Member States that took the floor with regards to this topic would like to see a continuation of the memorandum of understanding with the DONA institution. Here I would like to add, Madam Chair, the continuation of the MoU and continuing the dialogue and the sentence continues as it is. So we would like to see a continuation of the MoU and a continuation of the dialogue between the TSB until the end of the sentence and through this amendment we can then delete Paragraph 9.6. I hope that this proposal could be agreeable to the Council. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Saudi Arabia. Iran, please.

>> ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN: Thank you, Madam Chair. If you allow me I wish to help you and the Council. In 9.6 the verb is too strong, shall. We change that to should. And you add a qualifier, should be continued for the time being. Why? Because in 9.7 you ask the TSB, which I prefer to put Secretary-General, continue dialogues. There is some actions to be done. Therefore if you say should be continued for the time being at least you allow that you implement 9.7. Otherwise if not 9.6 it is 9.7 has no impact at all. So try to soften the sentence and try to put a qualifier. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Iran. Morocco please. >> MOROCCO: Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, we can envisage

the idea of 9.6 and cover that in 9.7 by saying that the MoU between ITU and DONA is in the interest of ITU membership and then Committee recommends and then the rest will be unchanged.

>> CHAIR: Morocco, would you please repeat your proposal? Thank you.

>> MOROCCO: As I was saying is that it is possible to merge the ideas under 9.6 and 9.7 beginning with 9.7 as stands. Considering that the MoU between ITU and DONA Foundation is in the interest of the ITU membership the Committee recommends and then the rest will be unchanged.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Morocco. India, please. Be very brief. Thank you.

>> INDIA: Sure. Madam Chair, the text is complicated. I will try to be brief to the extent possible. As the distinguished member from Iran shared 9.6 and 9.7, we view 9.6 and 9.7 completely different aspects. 9.6 explicitly say it is in the interest of Member States and should be continued and 9.7 says whoever is having concerns gap in understanding should continue with the TSB to get more clarity. These are two

different issues on should not merge and we support to continue 9.6. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Chair of ADM or Russia. Russia, please.

>> RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to try and suggest a compromised solution. Put a full stop in 9.6 after in the interest of ITU membership full stop. I think that all us recognize, the overwhelming majority recognize that the MoU is in line with the interests of membership. We have confirmed that and what is to be done next it is up to the Secretariat to decide. We believe that it is helpful for the union although for full stop.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Russia. Tunisia, please. >> TUNISIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We agree with the

proposal made by our colleague from the UAE because he was successful in combining the two paragraphs and that corresponds roughly to all the proposals made so far. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Senegal, please. >> SENEGAL: The proposal of Mr. Arasteh would be a very

good compromise. Thank you. >> CHAIR: Canada, please. >> CANADA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Very briefly we

believe that the Russian Federation, Professor Minkin has provided us with a very good way out which is 9.6 ends with a full stop after ITU membership. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Switzerland, please. >> SWITZERLAND: Thank you, Madam Chair. Whatever the

final wording that is going to be adopted for this recommendation the wish of the Swiss Administration is that we make it clear for Member States or the Council that in order to achieve efficiency this matter is not going to be reopened at the Council session in 2017. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Uganda, please. >> UGANDA: Thank you. Madam Chairperson, having listened

to India we believe the two bullets on 9.6 and 9.7 talk to different issues. We wish both of them to stay. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Nigeria, please. >> NIGERIA: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. You can see

what the Plenary is turning to now. I think the best thing is we allow the recommendation to go the way it is. Nigeria will want to align itself with India. And we will want this recommendation to be endorsed by Plenary as it is so that you don't turn a Plenary in to a drafting group because that's what is happening right now. If we continue like this we will have no choice to sleep here because almost every Administration will want to take the floor. I urge you, Madam Chair, to please use your veto power to end this discussion and pass the recommendation as

proposed by the committee. Thank you. >> CHAIR: Thank you, Nigeria. I somehow feel that it is

my obligation when I have so many proposals that are conflicting to give some more time for people to sort this out. This is what we are doing on item No. 8, where we will consider a revised text for the recommendation. So I propose we go back to item No. 8 and then we skip item No. 9 and continue with No. 10. And I will let people get together during the coffee break and the Chair can tell me what the Consensus is. Thank you very much. Let's put the text up for item No. 8 on the screen. So this is the proposal to replace the recommendation in the box in Paragraph 8.9. The Committee recommends that the Council instruct the Secretariat to commit to Council 2017 a study that identifies all possible sources of revenues, revenue, not just on INRs in ITU. The Committee recommends that the Council instruct the Secretariat to submit to Council 2017 the financial implications of the INR proposals discussed in Council 2016 taking in to account the different views raised by counselors. Are there any comments on the revised recommendation? So I invite Council to approve this recommendation for item 8.9. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Let's continue then to item 10. Mr. Oparan, you have the floor.

>> Section 10, contribution by the Russian Federation, submission and publication of the documentation for Council sessions and Council Working Group meetings, Document C16/88. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the proposed revision to Decision 556 presented in Document C16/88 with a modification in Decides 4 as follows: "That all other documents submitted to a Council session or a Council Working Group meeting," end of quote, and to adopt the revised Decision 556 contained in Annex E to this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Chair of ADM. The floor is open for any comments. Russia, please. Okay. Seeing no comments I invite Council to adopt the revises Decision 556 as reflected in Annex E to this report. Thank you very much. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Let's move to item 11. >> Section 11, contribution by the United States of America

on ITU information and document access policy, Document C16/77 as well as a contribution by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which contains comments on the draft ITU information document access policy, Document C16/95. In the text of the recommendation 11.4 we have an incorrect element. And I am going to ask Mr. Ba to read the corrected, the amended text. Mr. Ba.

>> ALASSANE BA: Thank you, Madam Chair. What is involved

is a little addition to say that the Committee recommends the Council considers the secretary as an attestment for the information/document access policy under 11.3 reflected in Annex 3 of the document, in Document C16/50 and to endorse the draft policy for implementation on an interim basis ending final approval by the PP18. The Council tasks the Secretary-General to put in necessary steps and to proceed with this policy as from the 1st of January 2017. It also instructs the Secretary-General during the Council sessions of 2017-2018 to put in place the above policy to formulate potential recommendations for the improvements of this policy. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Mr. Ba. It wasn't clear whether you were revising the entirety of the text in 11.4 or simply making the point that the Council considers that the Secretariat should be considered a submitter. Thank you, Mr. Ba.

>> ALASSANE BA: No, this is just to add what is lacking in 11.4. And I will read out the whole recommendation in -- I have read the text of 11.4 as it should read. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Mr. Ba. Would you please read the paragraph again then? Thank you.

>> ALASSANE BA: Thank you, Madam Chair. With pleasure. So I said that the Committee recommends that the Council consider the Secretariat as the submitting entity in the sense of Paragraph 11.3 of the draft policy appear in Annex 3 of Document C16/50 and to endorse the draft policy for its implementation on an interim basis pending final approval by PP18. The Council instructs the ITU Secretary-General to develop the necessary procedures and processes and begin implementing the policy by the 1st of January 2017 and further instructs the Secretary-General to report to Council 2017 and 2018 on the implementation of the policy including any suggestions for ways the policy could be improved. I thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Ba. Are there any comments on the recommendation as revised? See no comments I invite the Council to approve recommendation 11.4 as revised. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item No. 12, please. >> Section 12 which reflects a contribution by the United

States of America in Document C16/80 as well as a contribution by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Document C16/94. The party separation of the ITU in the MoUs having financial and/or strategic implications. Because of the lack of Consensus the ADM Committee recommends that the Council send the matter back to the Council Working Group on financial and human resources for its further discussion and consideration.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. The floor is open for comments. Seeing no comments I invite the Council to approve

recommendation 12.10 (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item No. 13, please. >> Section 13, improvement of management and follow-up of

the defrayal of ITU expenses by sector members and associates, deficiency and follow-up. Document C16/14. In the text itself of the report the text needs to be slightly amended. In 13.1 and 13.2 although these two paragraphs are virtually identical they cover the same idea. That's why I suggest that Paragraph 13.2 be deleted. Recommendation, the Committee recommends that the Council take note of Document C16/14 and endorse the recommendations contained in Section 4 of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments on item 13? I see no comments. So I invite the Council to approve the deletion of Paragraph 13.2. And the recommendation that the Council take note of Document C16/14 and endorse the recommendations as per Section 4 of Document C16/14. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item No. 14 please. >> Section 14, provisional participation of entities

dealing with telecommunication matters, Document C16/47. The ADM Committee recommends the Council confirm the action taken by the Secretary-General regarding the admission of seven entities dealing with telecommunication matters as contained in document C16/47.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. The floor is open. Seeing no requests for the floor, I invite the Council to approve the recommendation No. 14.3. Thank you. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 15, please. >> Section 15, annual review of revenue and expenses,

Document C16/9. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council endorse C16/9.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments? I invite Council to approve the recommendation in Paragraph 15.7 and endorse Document C16/9. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item 16, please. >> Section 16, afterservice health insurance liability,

Document C16/46. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of this document.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments? So I invite Council to take note of Document C16/46. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 17, please. >> Section 17, financial operating report for the financial

year 2015, document C16/42 Revision 1. The ADM Committee

recommends that the Council approve the financial operating report for financial year 2015 by adopting the draft Resolution presented in Annex F to this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Are there any comments? I invite Council to approve the financial operating report for the financial year 2015 by adopting the Resolution as in Annex F of this report. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: So approved. Item 18. >> Section 18, report by the external auditor. Document

C16/40. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the accounts presented in Document C16/40 as audited.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments? So I invite Council to approve the accounts as audited in Document C16/40. So approved. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 19. >> Section 19, external audit of the union's accounts on

ITU Telecom World 2015, Document C16/41. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the accounts as audited and -- as presented in Document C16/41 as audited.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments? Switzerland, please.

>> SWITZERLAND: Thank you, Madam Chair. I apologize but however read 19.4 we have a question for clarification. So 17.4, 17.4. After you finish with this section, please let us know and we will come back and make comments on 17.4.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Morocco, please. >> MOROCCO: Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to ask for

clarification on recommendation in Section 19, the Committee recommends to approve the report or this accounts. What has been approved?

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Morocco. My understanding is the recommendation is that Council approved the accounts as audited and presented in Document C16/41. Mr. Oparan.

>> Well, yes, indeed. We could replace accounts with report. We approve the reports. Not accounts.

>> CHAIR: Mr. Ba, please. >> ALASSANE BA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Well, what is

involved here is clearly a report because we have already approved the consolidated accounts. There is no separate approval of accounts but only of the report. What is involved here is approved in the detailed report by the external auditor. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Mr. Ba. So my understanding is that we should delete the words accounts as audited as and the recommendation is the Committee recommends that the Council

approve the report in Document C16/41. Okay. Any comments? I invite the Council to approve the report in document C16/41. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Item 20. >> Section 20, fifth annual report of the independent

management -- >> CHAIR: Sorry to interrupt you. I needed to go back to

the question from Switzerland on 17.4. Switzerland, you have the floor.

>> SWITZERLAND: Thank you, Madam Chair. I apologize that I am forcing you to come back to this paragraph. But it says that first 27.5 million represent 6.8 of 2015 budget. And 27.4 -- .2 Swiss francs represent 16.4 in our opinion it is 16.8%, not 16.4. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Switzerland. That does seem peculiar. Mr. Ba.

>> ALASSANE BA: Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, indeed it is absolutely right that the figure here should be 16.8 because 27.2 million -- that is 27.5 million represents 6.8 million of 2015 budget. The balance of 27.2 million Swiss francs represents 16.8% of the same year's budget. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I saw Switzerland nodding. Thank you for that clarification. Let's move now to item No. 20.

>> Section 20, fifth annual report of the Independent Management Advisory Committee, IMAC, Document C16/22 and addition 1 to that document. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the fifth annual IMAC report as well as the 14 recommendations presented in Document C16/22 and Addendum 1 to this document. Noting the comments.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments on this recommendation? I invite Council to approve the recommendation in Paragraph 20.6. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item 21, please. >> Section 21, report of the internal auditor on internal

audit activities, Document C16/44. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of Document C16/44.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Any comments? I invite the Council to note Document C16/44. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 22, please. >> Section 22, organizational resilience management system,

Document C16/70. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the recommendations proposed in Section 5 of Document C16/70.

>> CHAIR: The floor is open for comments. I invite

Council to approve the recommendations in Section 5 of Document C16/70. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item 23, please. >> Section 23, update on ITU's security modernization

project, Document C16/72. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of Document C16/72.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments on the recommendation? I invite Council to note Document C16/72. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 24, please. >> Section 24, financing the expert group on the

international telecommunication regulations. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council endorse C16/DT/15.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments on this recommendation? Canada, please.

>> CANADA: Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just for clarification by endorsing the document in question offers two options. One with full interpretation of the six languages, so what are we endorsing. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Canada. Chair of ADM, please.

>> Could you please repeat the question? >> CHAIR: Certainly. Document DT/15 has two options for

the experts group on ITRs. One without interpretation. And one with interpretation. If we endorse this document are we endorsing any particular option or how will we see moving forward by endorsing this document? Thank you.

>> The recommendation of the ADM Committee is that we -- what we are looking at are costs with interpretation.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Chair. Chair, does this recommendation need to be modified then? I'll give you a minute to think about it and then call on Mexico. Mexico, please.

>> MEXICO: Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the recently nominated to chair this important group, we believe that it would be extremely important to be able to have interpretation taking in to account that this would facilitate discussions and debate. And especially the exchange of opinions within this group. Therefore we would be in favor of this recommendation being aimed at consideration of the option with interpretation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Mexico. Chair ADM. >> Thank you. Yes, we will change the recommendation a

little and change -- and add a word in there. The Committee recommends to the Council endorse C16/DT/15 and then a comma in accordance with the calculation for costs associated with interpretation, cost estimate with interpretation. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. The recommendation is the Committee recommends that the Council endorse C16/DT/15 in

accordance with the cost estimate with interpretation. I see no comments. So I invite Council to approve this recommendation as modified. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Item 25, please. >> Section 25, decisions of the UN General Assembly on the

conditions of service under the UN common system, Document C16/54, Document C16/54 and Document C16/65, the Committee recommends that the Council endorse the implementation from the 1st of January 2016 of the establishment of 65 as the mandatory age of separation from services for all officials before 1st of January 2014 and insist of the implementation of this recommendation and to adopt the draft recommendation in Annex 1 to this document. And also on Document C16/54 the ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of the decisions of the United Nations General Assembly and adopt the draft Resolution in Annex G of this report.

>> CHAIR: Okay. I thought I heard you make two recommendations, but when I look in the box marked Paragraph 25.7, there is only one recommendation where we adopt the draft Resolution in Annex G of this report which deals with the continuance of service of ITU elected officials. Is this the only recommendation we're adopting? Thank you for your clarification.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly there is a need to adopt the Recommendation 25.7 which can -- which pertains to Annex G of this report before continuing with the other annexes. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. So I invite Council to adopt the recommendation in Paragraph 25.7. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. And then moving on to the recommendation in Paragraph 25.12, I invite Council to approve the new compensation package by approving the draft decision in Annex H of this report. Any comments? (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: So approved. I'm sorry, RH -- Secretariat, please.

>> SECRETARIAT: Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm sorry for taking the floor. Given the conclusion of the ADM Committee as set forth -- I'm sorry, I believe I'm a little ahead of the discussion. I'm very sorry. I will take the floor later. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Mr. Ba, did you need the floor? >> ALASSANE BA: No, it is just for Houlin Zhao to

continue. It was on this point to propose modifications with regard to Annex H. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Mr. Ba. So we were approving the recommendation in Paragraph 25.12 on Annex H. And you have some modifications to Annex H? Thank you, Secretariat. Go ahead.

>> SECRETARIAT: Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, there is a small modification to be made to the draft decision in Annex H. It takes in to account particularly the comments featuring in Paragraph 25.11 of this report. In decides 2 the last part of the sentence which in English reads text to any further decision that the United Nations General Assembly may take to regards with those dates of implementation has to be deleted. In Paragraph 25.11 the ADM Committee decided based on the intervention that was made by the Delegation of Australia that the conversation package should be implemented as established in the UN Resolution including as to the date of implementations. So it means that that sentence which is in decides 2 is no longer necessary and has to be deleted. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Secretariat. Are there any comments or questions on that change to Annex H? Then I invite Council to approve the new compensation package by approving the draft decision as amended in Annex H of this report. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. And now I would propose that we break for coffee. Thank you very much. (Coffee break)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much for the long coffee break. It has taken some additional time to discuss the issues that went to a small group that got very large. So I wonder if I would impose on one of the Vice Chairs of the ADM Committee to help us to continue with the report by the Chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management. And I'll remind the room that we had just finished approving the Recommendation No. 25.12 and we were moving next to the decisions of the UN General Assembly on the mandatory age of separation for staff recruited before 1st January 2014. And so I would invite the Vice Chair or Mr. Ba to present this recommendation, 25.20. Thank you.

>> Good afternoon, everyone. I am not the Chair of ADM. I am just standing in for him until he returns. So we are on decisions of the UN General Assembly, 25, decisions of the UN General Assembly on the mandatory age of separation for staff recruited before 1st January 2014 and this can be found in Document C16/65 and it is the recommendation of the ADM Committee. The Committee recommends that the Council approve the implementation on 1st January 2018 on the mandatory age of separation of 65 of all staff members, adopt the draft decision as in Annex 1 of this report. I submit this recommendation to be adopted by the Plenary. Thank you, Madam Chair.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. Are there any comments on Recommendation 25.20? I see no requests for the floor. So I invite the Council to approve the recommendation in Paragraph 25.20. So approved. Thank you very much. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: We move now to item No. 25. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. We are moving to Recommendation

26.11. However if you note we have already taken action on this. And so we will as an editorial delete this Recommendation 26.11. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I see the Chair of the ADM has rejoined us just in time to present -- Spain. Spain, please.

>> SPAIN: Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to make a statement in a national capacity so that it is in the summary of the records of the Plenary. It refers to 26 and 25. In this regard Spain believes that the use of a maximum of 3 million from the reserve account for the plan to incentivize retirement as a step forward, therefore the Secretariat of the ITU and all of us need to find further efficiency savings including prioritization of activities to ensure that at the end of the next budgetary period the impact of the use of maximum of 3 million is neutral and can be compensated for by these additional efficiency savings. This is a crucial point for Spain in order to have success over the next budgetary negotiations in which Spain aware of the financial situation of the ITU does not reject striking a real balance between income and outgoings including the use of the research account. Thank you very much.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Spain. If you would please provide your statement for the record, we would very much appreciate it. It will be included. Chair of ADM, I invite you to present item No. 27. Thank you.

>> Section 27, amendments to Article 5 of the regulations for the staff superannuation and benevolent funds of ITU C16/104. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve this amendment to Article 5 on the regulations of the SSBF and adopt the decision as presented in Annex J of this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments on the recommendation? I invite Council to approve Recommendation 27.8. Thank you. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Item 28, please. >> Section 28, final disposal of the assets in the pension

fund for the staff superannuation and benevolent funds of the ITU, Document C16/105. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the recommendation of the management board with regard to the transfer of the balance of the pension fund of SSBF

as proposed in the draft decision in Annex K of this report. >> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Are there any comments?

Seeing none I invite the Council to approve the recommendation in Paragraph 28.9. Thank you. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: No. 29, please. >> Section 29, progress report on the implementation of the

HR strategic plan and the Resolution of 48, Document C16/53. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council take note of C16/53.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. I invite Council to note Document C16/53. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. 30, please. >> Section 30, changes in ITU staff regulations, rules

governing appeals, Document C16/60. The ADM Committee recommends that the Council approve the amendments to the staff regulations by adopting the draft decision as presented in Annex L of this report.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Any comments? So I invite Council to approve the amendments to the staff regulations and adopt the draft decision as in Annex L. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you. No. 31, please. >> Section 31 and Section 32 which do not contain any

decisions or recommendations. Those were two oral presentations. Section 31, membership of the ITU staff pension Committee and section 32, a statement by the Staff Council. No decisions are being adopted. So no recommendations regarding these documents are being proposed.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Oparan. I know that you had run out of time in your Committee to hear the end of the statement by the representative of the Staff Council. So I would invite that representative to very briefly sum up his statement no more than five minutes. Preferably less. Thank you, sir.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'll -- I regret that there was some technical incident yesterday. I spoke of the respect on dialogue. This address I particular relish when I say Madam Chair, while expressing the hope that one day I will be able to say Madam Bureau Director or Madam Secretary-General. It gives me an opportunity to publicly thank you for listening to me. I would like to refer to the words of Chair Oparan who suggested, he was pressed by time passing and not by the contents of the report. In the view of the remarks made yesterday and the observations by some Delegations we would like to propose the following to your Council. We inviting the Council, the ITU Council, the Secretary-General to actively enhance the following, involving at an earlier stage the Council in all decisions

involving the ITU staff and to take part in the Working Group of the Plenipotentiary and in the Council Working Group on new premises. Also see as desirable that ITU staff would be given an opportunity to make the use known at an earlier stage in the debate. We are going to suspend the project of enhancing security as it is to take on board newer, various threats and new premises. For example, we are going not to cancel the five positions in the ITU Council. We believe that health insurance is absolutely fundamental. And it really involves 155 members of staff but also members of their families. And so those who have resided, so I would be among the standing items on the agenda of the Council and the Council Working Groups of financial and human resources because it is very important to take in to account the views of the ITU staff. Also in the light of the cooperation with the Council and the growing complexity of matters being considered here we would like to see a revision of the Council's Association 1334 in order to give the ideal Staff Council enough time instead of 5% which has been foreseen now.

Finally, we would like to recognize the need to achieve a balance between professional and private life, not to reduce the existing flexibility, particularly in various sessions working as access to framework and flex your time or within a clear framework, rather than subject at management discretion. We also are inviting them to work tirelessly to improve communications both with the Council and internally in order to ensure that the workforce and the Council are well informed and therefore are better able to take sound decisions. We are persuaded the future of ITU will have a strong dialogue and have a strong Administration and responsible elected officials. And the Secretary-General has indicated that he is open to dialogue and we thank you for that. I open the negotiations in various areas such as work conditions or ethical matters. The staff would like to see this will to communicate at all levels of the ITU hierarchy and will not remain empty sound. Thank you for your attention.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much and thank you for being available to finish your presentation. I would now like to return to the Chair of ADM and ask for your good news on item No. 9 from Document C16/115. You have the floor.

>> Thank you, Madam Chair. On 9.6 we achieved a compromised text. I have sent it to the governing body's e-mail. If it will be possible to show the text on the screen it will be good or I can read it out. It is a very short text. Perhaps I could simply read it out.

>> CHAIR: Since it is very short please read it out. Thank you.

>> So there were differing opinions on 9.6 under Section 9.

Following a very interesting discussion we can propose the following option for 9.6. Acknowledges that MoU between ITU and DONA Foundation shall continue, full stop.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much for your work on this text. I know it is a very delicate compromise. And so I propose that Council approve the Recommendation 9.6 as read by the Chair of ADM along with 9.7 and 9.8 as contained in Document 115. (Gavel).

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much and congratulations. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: I invite your attention to information document No. 17 Revision 2 on the current Chairmanships and Vice Chairmanships of Council Working Groups and the expert group. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the consultations that he conducted. And I draw your attention to the fact that the Council Working Group on financial and human resources you see in square brackets, Mr. Frederick Riehl has proposed to succeed the Chair, Mr. Bruce Gracie and I ask you to approve this conclusion in the usual way. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Our Secretary-General will consult with Administrations in terms of fulfilling the Vice Chairmanships of these various groups. So that they could conduct their work in accordance with Resolution 1333. Now as we have completed all the agenda items for Council 2016 -- Secretary-General, you have the floor.

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me offer my ideas that instead of sending consultation to each of you I discussed with regional telecom organizations, ask them to help us and they ask me to send to them, that they could consult within their coverage for those members to collect the information and then make a presentation to me. If it is acceptable to you I will follow that way.

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Secretary-General. I see no requests for the floor. So that seems to be acceptable. So as we have completed all the agenda items for Council 2016 I would now like to invite you to look at the nice movie prepared by the Secretariat which symbolizes the spirit of our work over this last week. (Video).

(Music). >> CHAIR: That was lovely. Thank you so much to the media

team for doing such a fantastic job. I would now like to invite the Secretary-General to deliver his closing remarks.

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Thank you, Madam Chair. It would be even better if we had 3D or 4K there. But anyhow it is a really good video.

Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are coming to the close of this 2016 Council session which has been very rich in content and has achieved a great deal in the record space of time. I'm also delighted by the great spirit of cooperation that has prevailed over the past week. Distinguished colleagues, counselors, this session of Council was attended by 306 participants including several Ministers, Vice Ministers and Ambassadors and 249 present members from 48 Council states. 48 observers from 31 observer Member States. 11 observers from regional telecom organizations or from sector members. I was very happy to see many first times Delegates, in particular those new women Delegates who have played very active roles. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me highlight some of the key Resolutions and decisions from this Council session. We approved the recommendations of the ADM Committee just recently. Approved reports submitted by various Council Working Groups, approved the four-year rolling operational plans for the three sectors and the general secretary for 2017-2020. Approved the place and dates for the hosting of WTDC 2017 in Buenos Aires from 9 to 20 October 2017 with the same for this WTSD 2017 which is big data for big impact as well as those measures for us to prepare for WTSA 2016.

We approved agenda dates, venues for Radio Assembly 2019 and WRC-2019. Noting with appreciations the kind invitation of Egypt to host this event. And we will make a final decision next year for the venue. Approved new terms of reference for WSIS Council Working Group to take in to account the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Agreed on some important items of cooperation with other UN bodies and international organizations including with Interpol. Agreed to further study INRs as well as revenue generation in general. Agreed to launch further consultations on WTBF. Agreed to further study measures to improve the efficiency of Plenipotentiary Conferences including e-voting for elections. Decided on expert group of ITRs with a Chair named. Endorsed the report of the joint inspector unit, the report of IMAC and the report of the external auditor and approved the ITU headquarters premises and decided next steps for space protocol related issues, discussed telecom and its reform. Decided on language related issues. Decided on child online protection project. Approved the several decisions on staff matters. Decided on several matters to move to paperless and access to public for ITU documents and Council also instructed the Secretariat to launch a review of the gender mainstreaming policy as a member of the Geneva member campaign initiative. I am committed to encourage great representation of gender diverse Delegations at our meetings and conferences. In this respect I would be very

pleased to see that we have the 28% of women Delegations at this year's Council session. And women were particularly well represented on the podium, not by the number, by the quality. USA was the largest Delegation with 18 Delegates, women Delegates. With 18 Delegates including 56% of women. Nine countries, Delegations are composed of 100% women. And 13 countries reached the 50% women or more. At this Council we received three guest speakers, the founders of the international Geneva gender champions, Ambassador Paremela Hamoto of United States. Morla, Director General of the United Nations office Geneva. And Dr. David Navaro, the UN Secretary-General, special advisor on the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, dear counselors, the Council has given us a lot of tasks and guidelines. Some are quite challenging. It is not easy for us. However ITU management we carefully study them, implement them and we will come back to you with progress on these matters. I am very pleased with the excellent result of this 2016 session of Council. We are very grateful to you for your recognition of our efforts and progress in the efficiency and effectiveness of the union over the past months. It has been quite a hectic period and we approach our work and achievements together with the other elected officials. I am very grateful for your tremendous support and in particular the great trust that you continue to show in us. We will continue to do our utmost to serve our membership the best we can. Distinguished Colleagues, I would like to give a special thanks to our Madam Chair this year, Julia Zoller, from the United States. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to our Vice Chair, Madam Eva Spinner from Italy. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: She has a flight to catch and she thought we could finish by 4 o'clock and the flight cannot be delayed. So she just left us. Ask your excuse. And we also thank the Chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and management, Carroll Oparan from the Russian Federation. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: We thank the Vice Chairs, Vernita Harris from the United States and Mr. Abdourhamane Toure from Mali. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: And we thank the Chairs of our Ad Hoc Groups, Fabio Bigi, Oliver Amdun, Carolina Greenway, Vladimir Minkin and Salem and Margaret. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Let me also thank the Chairs of the Council working groups that were here with us, Mr. Bruce Gracie, Vladimir Minkin, Javier, Ahmed and Lynn White Gomez acting for Sherit and their Vice Chairs for their tireless efforts in supporting the activities of the union. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Let me express my thanks to all counselors and Delegates for your active contribution and participation in this Council 2016. You should applaud yourself. (Laughter) (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: I would also like to thank the administrations that hosted coffee breaks and receptions during this session of Council, Kuwait, Tunisia and to the United States. And, of course, Switzerland for the nice excursion during the weekend. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Let me also say a special thank you to ITU staff who have worked tirelessly as well as to the interpreters for making our interactions possible in the six official languages of the union. And I would also like to thank our captioners who joined us at very short notice as well as technicians and staff who have been with us all the time. We sincerely appreciate all their efforts. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish also today to recognize in particular Mr. Bruce Gracie for his longstanding service over 30 years to the work of the ITU. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: And would now like to invite him to the podium to present him with a special certificate. He has received a lot of medals. And I think that is not that kind of value to add another medal. Anyhow, Bruce Gracie. (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: And Bruce told me he will continue but he will continue in a different way. But up until now he was sponsored by the Canadian Administration. But with his retirement he will continue to participate in ITU activities in some other capacity. But this time is his last time sponsored by the Administration. And we take this opportunity to present him a certificate. Ladies and Gentlemen, last but not least I would like to recognize the leadership of our Chair, Madam Chair. The full credit goes to Madam Chair Julia Zoller of the United States who can only be commended for her skill, experience and knowledge as she chaired ITU Council. Her tongue and easy (inaudible) allowed her to gracefully conduct the complex business of this Council

and bring it to a fruitful and successful conclusion. I noted one mistake she made is to reduce from one week to two weeks. That is only mistake. (Laughter).

>> HOULIN ZHAO: Finally, let me now present our Chair with an ITU gold medal and certificate for her outstanding service to the union. (Applause.) (Applause.)

>> HOULIN ZHAO: So I have last sentence to deliver. I wish you a very nice safe trip back home to your lovely countries and thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Secretary-General. Before I deliver brief closing remarks, I will give Mr. Gracie a minute.

>> BRUCE GRACIE: Thank you very much. I will speak as quickly as I can. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the award. Very much appreciate it. I would also like to express my particular thanks to Mr. Ba and the staff of the financial resources management department as well as Mr. Dolan of the human resources management department, all of the ITU staff who have contributed to the work of the Council Working Group on finance and HR. I do believe it is rather ironic that we approved revision to Council Resolution 1333 given the fact that it addresses the terms of appointment for Council Working Group Chairs. I am not sure everyone is aware but I have chaired this group since 1998. So I figure it is time that I move on. (Laughter).

>> BRUCE GRACIE: I would like to thank all of the participants in the group over the years. They have been very helpful, constructive in the way in which they have intervened. And led to some very successful meetings. So Ladies and Gentlemen, as Mr. Houlin Zhao said I am not leaving ITU. I continue to Chair TSAG and hopefully I will continue in that capacity until 2020. So with that Madam Chair, again thank you to Mr. Houlin Zhao, to the elected officials and to the ITU staff for this award. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Mr. Gracie. I ask another 15 minutes from the interpreters, please.

>> INTERPRETER: Yes, Madam Chair. >> CHAIR: Thank you so much. Well, it is time for me to

say thank you and to congratulate you all on a job well done. We started this Council with a very heavy agenda but with your goodwill, experience and spirit of cooperation we found Consensus. We were indeed all in this together. I'm deeply grateful for the support that you offered me. In

the words of Dr. Navaro yesterday if we don't connect everyone everywhere we will not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and that's why our work is so important. Connectivity runs at the core of this great organization for standard setting, to radiocommunications, to development. We need to work together to bring all of the world's people online leaving no one behind. I would like to commend the Secretary-General for being a founding member of the Geneva gender champions group and all of the ITU's work to advance the goals of gender equality and mainstreaming. I would like to thank our Vice Chair, Eva Spinner from Italy and the Chair on the Standing Committee on Administration and Management, Mr. Carroll Oparan. I am deeply indebted to you for your excellent work at this Council. And the Vice Chairs, Ms. Harris and Mr. Toure and a big thank you to the Chairs of all of our Ad Hoc Groups who so ably took up your tasks and solved difficult issues. We all owe the interpreters and captioners our gratitude as well as all the staff who made presentations, those who drafted the daily highlights, and the members of the Secretariat who kept the training running on time. I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Angela Smith and Beatrice Pluchon for equipping me with everything I needed to be a Chair. Last I want to thank the secretary of the Plenary, the elected officials, the Secretary-General and, of course, my region and Administration for supporting me. Thank you all and have a good journey home. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: I have a request from the floor from Saudi Arabia.

>> SAUDI ARABIA: I thank you, Madam Chair, for having given me the floor. On behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and without having coordinated with other Arab States I would assume to speak on behalf of other Arab States to thank you for your able leadership of this Council in a manner that filled us with admiration. We are really full of admiration of the manner in which you conducted these meetings and we would like to sincerely thank the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and all the staff members. There has been a real team spirit, the kind of spirit that we had been striving for in the course of the past few years. And now we have finally attained it. We would also like to thank your Vice Chair and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management. Mrs. Doreen Bodgan Martin has facilitated our work in an extraordinary manner. Her competence, her broad knowledge of the topics under discussion have always been of great help to us.

We would also like to thank all those who have contributed to the successful holding of this Council without forgetting the

interpreters who have always had enough patience and have been giving us additional time. We would also like to thank all of the friends and the counselors within this Council who have exhibited a great spirit of cooperation and compromise, making it possible for us to attain our targets. We have discussed as you know in this session quite a lot of matters of gender mainstreaming. And so -- and Saudi Arabia fully supports the empowerment of women in international organizations. Recently Saudi Arabia took far reaching decisions in this sense. And so I would like to wish you all the success and thanks once again, all those who have contributed to the success of this Council. Thank you.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Saudi Arabia. Switzerland, please.

>> SWITZERLAND: Thank you, Madam Chair. Ladies and Gentlemen, counselors, Switzerland on behalf of CEPT would like to warmly thank you for the official manner in which you have guided us through a very charged agenda and through many thorny issues. Your success is particularly remarkable given that this Council has only lasted seven days and we would like to thank Mr. Oparan for his level leadership and his able manner in which he chaired the meetings of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management. We have been very happy to work -- we were very happy to work with Mrs. Spinner last year. We would like to thank the Secretariat and the interpreters without whom the success wouldn't have been possible.

Finally, Switzerland and its Government has tried -- will try to do all in its power to make sure that the weather will smile on us next year in 2017 without being able to guarantee anything, of course. Madam Chair, thank you very much.

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Switzerland. Philippines, please.

>> PHILIPPINES: Madam Chair, on behalf of the Philippines Delegation, the officers and staff of the International Telecommunications Union led by Secretary-General Houlin Zhao the respected Delegates of the sovereign state members of the Council and of the ITU and of international organizations here present to the state of Switzerland and the city of Geneva, France an oriental Democrat and philosopher once wrote in this world there are only three things certain, the sun, the moon, and the truth. Centuries back we were made to believe that the world is flat. Thereafter Galileo European explorers proved that the world is round. But about five years ago an American, Mr. Freedman in his book wrote that the world is flat because technology, because ICT has levelled the playing field in global competition. Proof that we live in a society where pictures get to the door faster and sooner than the police.

(Laughter). >> PHILIPPINES: Only yesterday we were battling in the

field of ideas in this course. Today at parting time we have become friends again, united by the universal truth that we sought and pursued in the spirit of reason and brotherhood. At parting time the Philippines Delegation would like to say this, the state of Switzerland, the city of Geneva and the men and women of ITU thank you once more for giving and sharing with us the warmth and comforts of home. To those whom we may have hurt, wronged during the past days of this course, we are sorry. Our sincere apology. To those who spoke and from whom we learned our profound thank you. Seeing Doreen, Chair Julia Zoller and Vice Chair, Mrs. Spinner, all three women up there in the podium of power telling us men what to do and whatnot to say maybe it is a bit too much of gender equality. But we applaud you and your triple historic presence in the world states that is the ITU. This much though we can say of gender equality and gentle ladies please listen. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer belly and still think that they are sexy. (Laughter).

>> PHILIPPINES: At parting time never ever say good-bye. To all of you may the good Lord bless you and keep you in your journeys back home for home it is said is the sailor where love abounds and where love isn't conditionally free.

I must end now, better to stop and remain silent and better a fool than to speak further and remove all doubt. On behalf of the Philippines Delegation and to paraphrase the great actor Lou Raynes Oliver after receiving his Oscar award in 1978 in the Solesis, in the kind immersion that is charging our hearts and soul at this moment we thank all for this great gift of friendship, which lends such a very splendid part of this glorious occasion this ITU Council 2016. We love you all. Hasta la vista. Until we all meet again. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you, Philippines. Our poet, Laurent. Kenya please.

>> KENYA: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I will not be as poetic, but speaking for the African Group we take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate you for the manner in which you have effectively and efficiently conducted our business at this Council. We note the many issues that had to be navigated through. And we appreciate the manner in which you have done this and ensure that the discussions take the interest of strengthening this organization and ensuring the development of this sector. Particularly for the African Group, Madam Chair, this Council has a special -- has very been special being the

very first one convened right after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals and the renewal of the WSIS Forum at the General Assembly. The African Group has the conviction to ensure that ICTs play the role in improving social economic development and more specifically in the attainment of the SDGs. We are therefore quite pleased that this Council considered this issue and that the deliberations are firm, the important role that this union plays in the UN agenda.

Chairperson, ITU's role continues to gain prominence but we increased the demand to provide direction and solution to a number of issues. We have -- while ITU has a goal to achieve the global connectivity of 2020 there are a number of issues that we still have to gripe about. Cybercrime, vulnerabilities to children online and, of course, the digital divide in the fast changing pace of technology. Our job is therefore well cut out for us and ITU in our view must continue every effort to provide leadership in -- on these matters. It goes without saying, Chair, that increased efficiency of the union remains our priority. But in the interwoven complexities the union must work with other stakeholders to ensure that the impact of ICTs are felt everywhere. The African Group takes the issue of partnerships in this regard very seriously. Because they present us with opportunities to leverage on and gain from the work of such bodies in an open, multilateral and transparent manner. These partnerships are indeed the core of what has become a mantra in this organization, the word multi-stakeholderism. We must embrace this in all facets of our work. Needless to say we thank the Secretariat under the leadership of the Secretary-General for the hard work and decisions of the Council, previous Council and indeed of this Council. The report that was submitted to Council in terms of the various documents that came to us were meticulous and we wish to applaud the teamwork that went in to this. We wish to specifically also thank the regional office for Africa under the supervision of the BDT for the constant engagement and putting every -- to ensure the presence of ITU is felt in our region.

We also wish to thank the Chair of the ADM and his two Vice Chairs, the Chairs of the various Council Working Groups who submitted their reports to the Council and the various Ad Hoc Groups that you yourself established to navigate around the difficult questions that came before us.

Lastly we extend our gratitude to the staff that worked tirelessly behind the scenes, the technical staff, the interpreters, the translators, the captioning team and the transcribers and all of those who have made this a success. And we will not forget our discussion next year and fellow counselors

as you reckon, we reckon that the decisions we have taken in the last two weeks will define our part. Let it be resolved continuously to work collaboratively with a single. Making connectivity a reality. As Delegations begin to depart we wish everyone a bon voyage to their destinations. (Speaking in a non-English language) (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Kenya. Japan, please. >> JAPAN: Thank you, Madam Chair. On behalf of the

Japanese Delegation I would like to express our sincere appreciation to you, Madam Chair, for your outstanding management of the meeting. We have had a lot of significant agendas, but we have finished all agendas on schedule and have achieved magnificent results from your excellent Chairmanship. I would like to -- I'd also like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Oparan, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Administration and Management for your outstanding Chairmanship. Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and other elected officials and also thanks to the ITU Secretariat, interpreters and all colleagues. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much. Russia, please. >> RUSSIAN FEDERATION: Thank you very much. Perhaps

everyone has had enough of me over these past few days but I am still going to say a few words. I talked to a number of colleagues and many of them said that it was a complicated Council and it was quite difficult and it is a very simple explanation for this. There were a lot of very serious, considerable issues on the agenda and the majority of these issues were ones which we successfully resolved. So look at how few issues were sent on for further work in Working Groups, in Study Groups. We really took a load off our colleagues and took some real serious decisions at this Council session. I would merely like to deeply thank all of the elected officials of the ITU, the Secretariat for their excellent work. My colleagues told me that we made one comment on captioning and quite two days later it all suddenly started to work. It appeared although we were reminded that up to this point captioning hadn't existed at Council. So the problem was resolved very quickly and successfully. I am personally very grateful to the Secretariat, Mr. Ba and all of his colleagues. All I had to do was sit there and smile and they did all the work. And, of course, I would like to thank my boss, Julie Zoller, for her assistance, for her leadership in our work and it was simply a pleasure to work with her. And therefore I would like to wish all of you a bon voyage home and until we meet again.

Thank you. >> CHAIR: Thank you very much, Russia. USA, please. >> UNITED STATES: Thank you, Madam Chair. I am really

delighted on behalf of the entire U.S. Delegation to offer our thanks to you for the excellent way you guided this Council to successful conclusions. We are very happy to be part of the historic moment when both the Chair and Vice Chair of this Council are women. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't also thank Ms. Doreen Bodgan for the competent and professional role that she plays not only at this Council but at so many ITU meetings. It is an inspiration to have three women sitting at the Diez and doing jobs. We hope this grows not only in the ITU but worldwide. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, United States. Canada, please.

>> CANADA: Thank you, Madam Chair. We would like to join our voice in expressing our sincere gratitude and congratulations for a superb job. We wish to thank the elected officials, the ITU staff, our interpreters, all the Vice Chairs, Chairs but most importantly all the friends and colleagues here today. It was a successful meeting. And we are proud to be part of this. I cannot conclude, Madam Chair, without making reference to our distinguished poet, Laurent, philosopher man of the Renaissance who has raised the bar of eloquence, which would have been difficult to reach. As it has been a tradition I would invite my distinguished friend to join me and Mr. Petko Kanchev for the Three Amigos photo that we normally do at the end of the Council.

>> CHAIR: Thank you. India. >> INDIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. The Republic of India

acknowledges the enormous work we have done together on important issues during this Council meeting under your charming leadership and able support from ITU management. And most importantly with cooperative support from the Distinguished Delegates and supporting staff we are confident that the spirit with -- will continue in all the upcoming conferences to cooperate and take effective decisions to drive us forward under the able ITU leadership with efficiency.

Madam Chair, India echos the support on gender empowerment and the multi-stakeholderism as an important means to completion of SDGs and move urgently to connect 2020 targets. We thank all the Governments and who offered hospitality and the Swiss Government for its continuous cooperation to host ITU headquarters at this beautiful city. We wish all the Delegates a safe journey back to home and look forward to seeing you in the upcoming conference work together.

It is also time to mention sweet chocolates from ITU Telecom

World keeping us energetic during the session. Thank you all for contributing to our learning. And we go back more enlightened and have the confidence in collective strength of collaboration. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Thank you very much, India. And Tunisia. >> TUNISIA: Thank you, Madam Chair. At the outset like

all my colleagues I would like to thank the Chair lady and I would like to thank the Secretary-General, his deputies and the various heads of the departments. I would like to thank the staff of the ITU. I would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of this conference. I asked for the floor, Madam Chair, to stress again that Tunisia is looking forward to welcoming you in Hammamet next October for the big conference that we are planning to hold. I would like to remind my colleagues and my friends to start booking their hotels in Hammamet because as you know Tunisia is a host country. We receive about 5 million tourists a year who come to enjoy our beaches and sunshine and to enjoy security. We are very happy to welcome you in Hammamet in October. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

>> CHAIR: Well, dear friends, it is time for Council to end. Your comments have touched and warmed my heart. And I so appreciate them. And so let me end by saying God bless you, safe journeys. Council 2016 is adjourned. (Applause.)

(Session concluded at 5:29 CET) ***

This is being provided in rough-draft format. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings.

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