IARU Administrative Council Plans for WRC-07 and Beyond

The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) held its annual meeting on 17-18 September 2005 in Zurich, Switzerland, following the IARU Region 1 Conference held in Davos. The Council took the following actions:

1. A discussion paper was received from the officers describing the anticipated future environment and a vision of the long-term future role and structure of the IARU. To continue this work, the President announced the appointment of an ad hoc committee chaired by Vice President Ellam and comprised of Secretary Sumner and the presidents/chairmen of the three regional organizations. The committee will work primarily by correspondence including electronic means and is to provide a preliminary report next year.

2. Prompted mainly by concerns about interference from broadband power line communications (PLC/BPL), the International Secretariat, in conjunction with the EMC Adviser, was requested to undertake a study to improve coordination of amateur radio representation on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) matters at national, regional and global forums, to be completed by the end
of 2005. The objective is to put in place such measures as may be agreed by the Council to improve such coordination and maintain a favorable EMC environment for radio services.

3. Continuing the strategic planning initiative begun in 2003, progress on a three-year plan for the development of support for amateur radio frequency allocations was reviewed. The plan includes maintaining and increasing contact with regional telecommunications organizations by the IARU through its regional organizations.

4. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meetings at which IARU representation will be required for the coming year were identified, and plans for representation were reviewed. The principal focus is on preparations for the 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07). IARU positions on agenda items for WRC-07 were affirmed.

5. A small working group was established to develop an international emergency communications handbook for radio amateurs based on existing texts. The International Secretariat was requested to produce a brochure on amateur radio response to emergencies.

6. It was agreed to establish a suitable Web site honoring radio amateurs who have died while providing humanitarian service. IARU regional executive committees may propose those to be included in the memorial.

7. The Council heard a report from IARU Region 2 on planned participation on behalf of the IARU in an ITU regional telecommunications exhibition, Telecom Americas 2005, to be held in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, 3-6 October. Region 2 President Rod Stafford, W6ROD, has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on "The Changing Face of Spectrum Management" at the Forum held
in conjunction with Telecom Americas 2005.

8. The budget for 2006-2008 was approved as presented by the International Secretariat (ARRL). The budget includes provision for financial contributions from the three regional organizations to defray a portion of the expenses, in accordance with previously adopted policy.

9. Themes were adopted for the next two World Amateur Radio Days, an annual event observed on April 18, the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in 1925. The themes are (2006) "Amateur Radio: A gateway to information and communications technologies (ICT) for today's youth" and (2007) "Amateur Radio: Allowing youth to connect the world."

10. The Council thanked Bob Knowles, ZL1BAD, for his more than 20 years of volunteer service as IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator on the occasion of his stepping down from the position that he has occupied since its inception. The International Secretariat (ARRL) was asked to designate an appropriate staff member to fulfill, as a temporary measure, the responsibilities of the position until a qualified volunteer replacement can be found.

11. Reports of the IARU international coordinators and advisers were received. In addition to Mr. Knowles they are International Beacon Project Coordinator Peter Jennings, AB6WM/VE3SUN; Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV; EMC Adviser ChristianVerholt, OZ8CY; and International Coordinator for Emergency Communications Hans Zimmermann, F5VKP/HB9AQS.

12. A working document describing the requirements for radio spectrum allocations to the amateur and amateur-satellite services was reviewed and updated.

The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be held in or near Bangalore, India immediately after the IARU Region 3 Conference to be held there in August 2006.

Attending the Zurich meeting were IARU President Larry Price, W4RA; Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA; Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; regional representatives Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, Don Beattie, G3BJ, Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Dario Jurado, HP1DJ, Y. S. Park, HL1IFM, Chandru Ramchandra, VU2RCR, and Yoshi Sekido, JJ1OEY; and recording secretary Paul Rinaldo, W4RI.

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