Regulations
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XXI Meeting of COM/CITEL will be held in Washington, DC, USA from December 7 to 9, 2009
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Approved by the OAS General Assembly on June 9, 1994.
Table of Contents:
- Regulations of CITEL
- Chapter I: Nature, Organization and Membership
Nature, Article 1
Organization, Article 2
Applications for Membership, Article 3
Liaison, Article 4
- Chapter II: CITEL Assembly
- A. Meetings
Regular Meetings, Article 5
Principle of Rotation, Article 6
Special Meetings, Article 7
Alternative Site for the Meetings, Article 8
Notice of Convocation of Meetings, Article 9
- B. Participants
Delegations, Article 10
Credentials, Article 11
Order of Precedence, Article 12
Permanent Observers to the Organization, Article 13
Observers from Organs of the OAS and from Inter-American intergovernmental regional
organizations, Article 14
Observers from the United Nations, Article 15
Other Observers, Article 16
Article 17
Observer's participation fee , Article 18
Guests, Article 19
Article 20
Article 21
- C. Officers
Election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen,
Article 22
Duties of the Chairman of the CITEL Assembly, Article 23
Participation by the Assembly Chairman in Voting and Discussion, Article 24
Duties of the Vice-Chairmen Acting as Chairman, Article 25
Absence or Disability of the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, Article 26
-
- D. Agenda
Agenda of the Regular Meetings, Article 27
Agenda of Special Meetings, Article 28
Reports and Proposals, Article 29
Article 30
- E. Sessions
Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegations,
Article 31
First Plenary Session, Article 32
Adoption of Decisions, Article 33
Article 34
Public and Private Sessions, Article 35
Article 36
Article 37
- F. Committees
Steering Committee, Article 38
Committee on Credentials, Article 39
Drafting Committee, Article 41
Working Committees, Article 42
Subcommittees and working groups, Article 43
- G. Quorum
Article 44
- H. Debates and Procedures
Proposals and Amendments,
Article 45
Withdrawal of Proposals, Article 46
Reconsideration of Decisions, Article 47
Points of Order, Article 48
Suspension of Discussion, Article 49
Closing Discussion, Article 50
Suspension or Adjournment of a Session, Article 51
Order of Procedural Motions, Article 52
General Provisions for All the Deliberative Bodies of the CITEL Assembly Meeting, Article
53
- I. Voting
Voting on Proposals, Article 54
Abstentions, Article 55
Ties, Article 56
Repeat Vote, Article 57
Voting on Amendments, Article 58
Article 59
Article 60
Article 61
- J. Elections
Article 62
Article 63
Article 64
- K. Documents
Summary Minutes, Article 65
Summary of the Activities, Article 66
Filing of Documents, Article 67
- Chapter III: The Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL)
Length of
Term, Article 68
Appointment of Representatives of COM/CITEL, Article 69
Functions, Article 70
Work Program, Article 71
Duties of the Chairman, Article 72
Order of Succession, Article 73
Headquarters of COM/CITEL, Article 74
Article 75
Article 76
- Chapter IV: Permanent Consultative Committees (PCCs)
- A. Organization and Officers
Article 77
Duties of the Chairman of a PCC, Article 78
Chairman's Office, Article 79
Working groups and ad hoc groups, Article 80
- B. Participation in the PCC
Members, Article 81
Associate Members, Article 82
Participation of Associate Members, Article 83
Associate Membership Fee, Article 84
Observers and Guests, Article 85
- C. Meetings
Article 86
Decisions, Article 87
- Chapter V: The Secretariat
Article 88
The Executive Secretary of CITEL, Article 89
- Chapter VI: General Provisions
- Annex: Names of the PCC
AG/RES. 1259 (XXIV-O/94)
REGULATIONS OF CITEL¹
(Resolution adopted at the eighth plenary session, held on June 9, 1994)
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
HAVING SEEN the observations of the Permanent Council on the annual report of the
Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL);
HAVING CONSIDERED the annual report of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission
(CITEL) (CP/CRO-392/94); and
CONSIDERING:
- That the General Assembly, through resolution AG/RES. 1224 (XXIII-O/93), established the
Inter-American Telecommunication Commission and approved its Statute;
- That in accordance with Article 33 of its Statute, the Inter-American Telecommunication
Commission (CITEL) is governed by its Statute, its Regulations, and the resolutions of the
General Assembly;
- That the first Assembly of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission, held from
February 21 to 25, 1994, in Uruguay, in accordance with Article 5.f of its Statute,
approved its Regulations; and
- That in pursuance of Article 35 of the Statute, CITEL is required to submit its
Regulations, together with its first Annual Report, to the General Assembly of the
Organization of American States,
RESOLVES:
- To take note of the annual report and the Regulations of the Inter-American
Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) attached hereto.
ANNEX
CHAPTER I
NATURE, ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP
Nature
Article 1
- CITEL is governed by its Statute and these Regulations. The Regulations complement the
Statute which was approved by Resolution AG/RES. 1224 (XXIII-O/93), and serve to provide
more specific rules for the operation, administration, and procedures of CITEL for the
achievement of its purposes and objectives.
- In case of conflict between the Statute and these Regulations, the Statute shall take
precedence.
- The technical autonomy of CITEL established pursuant to the Statute, includes:
- The capacity and competence to freely program its activities within the scope
of Article 1 of the Statute;
- A direct technical relationship with the General Assembly of the Organization
of American States (hereafter "the Organization") notwithstanding its obligation
to submit its Annual Report of activities to the Permanent Council of the Organization, so
that the Council has the opportunity to present its observations and recommendations to
the General Assembly pursuant to Article 90(f) of the Charter of the Organization;
- Direct contact with the Secretary General of the Organization for all
administrative and budgetary matters;
- Competence to establish relations with other international organizations that
participate in the development of telecommunications throughout the American States; and
- Participation in the planning of technical assistance to CITEL members.
Organization
Article 2
- CITEL fulfills its objectives through the following organs: the CITEL Assembly, the
Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL), the Permanent Consultative Committees, and the
Secretariat. The organs shall include such committees, sub-committees, working groups and
ad hoc groups, joint working groups and rapporteurs as may be established in accordance
with these Regulations.
Applications for Membership
Article 3
- Any American State which is not a member of the Organization, must submit its
membership request to the Secretary General, who shall transmit it to COM/CITEL for study
and recommendation before it is considered by the CITEL Assembly and the General Assembly
of the Organization.
Liaison
Article 4
- Each Member State shall notify the Executive Secretary of CITEL, in writing, within
thirty days of the termination of the Regular Meeting of the CITEL Assembly, the name of
the institution and the person within the institution that will serve as the official
liaison between CITEL and that Member State with respect to telecommunications. The person
appointed shall serve as the official to whom and from whom, official correspondence shall
be addressed and exchanged, including all notices, contributions to meetings, reports of
meetings, and accreditation letters.
CHAPTER II
CITEL ASSEMBLY
A. MEETINGS
Regular Meetings
Article 5
- CITEL shall endeavor to schedule the Regular Meeting of the CITEL Assembly, held every
four years, during the first quarter of the year. The Regular Meetings shall be numbered
consecutively.
Principle of Rotation
Article 6
- In the application of the principle of rotation in selecting the country where a Regular
Meeting of the CITEL Assembly is to take place, it is understood that the Regular Meeting
shall not be held in the territory of a Member State if another Member State in which
fewer meetings have been held should offer its territory for this purpose. Recognized
regional affinities shall also be considered when applying the principle of rotation, e.g.
North America, Central America, Andean, Caribbean Region, or other distinguishable
regional affinities.
Special Meetings
Article 7
- In special circumstances, at the initiative of the General Assembly of the Organization,
on the recommendation of any Council of the Organization, or at the initiative of
COM/CITEL, the CITEL Assembly may hold a Special Meeting to consider specific matters, if
those matters are of such importance as to preclude waiting for the next Regular Meeting
of the Assembly. COM/CITEL will convene and set the date and place for such Special
Meeting, subject to available funding.
Alternative Site for the Meetings
Article 8
- If for any reason a Regular or Special Meeting of the CITEL Assembly cannot be held in a
selected country, it shall be held at the General Secretariat of the Organization, unless
one of the Member States, with sufficient advance notice offers to host the Assembly, in
which case COM/CITEL may agree to hold the meeting in that country.
Notice of Convocation of Meetings
Article 9
- The Secretary General of the Organization, or by delegation, the CITEL Executive
Secretary, shall transmit the notice of convocation of the CITEL Assembly Meeting and the
invitations to the participants as soon as the country offering to host the Assembly
confirms to the CITEL Secretariat the exact date, city and specific location for the
meeting, and that it has available sufficient funds for that purpose. The country offering
to host the Assembly shall provide this information to the Executive Secretary, no later
than 60 days before the proposed date of the meeting.
B. PARTICIPANTS
Delegations
Article 10
- Each head of delegation may delegate his duties to the alternate head, or if there is
none, to any other member of his delegation. Each Member State shall endeavor to designate
to its delegations representatives who are versed in telecommunications. Delegations shall
have the right to participate with voice and vote, in all public and private meetings of
the Assembly, including its committees, subcommittees, working groups and ad hoc groups,
in accordance with these Regulations and any special Rules of Procedure adopted for such
meetings.
Credentials
Article 11
- Accreditation of the members of each delegation shall be made by the respective
governments by means of written communications to the Executive Secretary, granting the
delegates full powers to participate in the decisions on subjects included in the agenda
of the sessions of the Assembly.
Order of Precedence
Article 12
- At the informal session prior to the opening session of the Assembly, the delegations
shall establish by lot an order of precedence to be used for the delegations' location in
the sessions room, in the voting process and in the use of the floor whenever the
delegations are requested to give their opinions on some subject-matter. The host
delegation shall not be included in the "by lot" procedure and shall hold last
place in the order of precedence.
Permanent Observers to the Organization
Article 13
- States that are Permanent Observers of the Organization shall enjoy the same status in
the CITEL and any of its organs. They shall accredit their respective representatives to
participate in the meetings of the CITEL Assembly, by means of a written communication
addressed to the Executive Secretary.
- The representatives of the Permanent Observers may attend the public sessions of the
CITEL Assembly Meetings, and of its principal committees and, when invited by the
corresponding presiding officer, the private sessions. With the permission of the
presiding officer, Permanent Observers may speak at any meeting.
Observers from Organs of the OAS and from Inter-American intergovernmental regional
organizations.
Article 14
- Representatives of Inter-American specialized organizations and entities of the
Organization, and Inter-American intergovernmental regional organizations may attend the
CITEL Assembly as observers. With the permission of the presiding officer, those
representatives may speak at the meeting or address the meeting in writing.
Observers from the United Nations
Article 15
- Representatives of the United Nations and its specialized agencies may attend the
Meetings of the CITEL Assembly as observers. With the permission of the presiding officer,
they may speak at the meeting or address the meeting in writing.
Other Observers
Article 16
- International and national organizations that are parties to agreements or arrangements
establishing relations of cooperation with the Organization, its organs, organizations or
agencies may also attend the CITEL Assembly, when such agreements or arrangements provide
for the participation of observers, or in special cases, when COM/CITEL so decides.
- Subject to COM/CITEL's approval, the following may send observers to the CITEL Assembly:
- American States that are not Members or Permanent Observers of the Organization
who have asked to participate in the meeting.
- Non-American States that are Members of the United Nations or its specialized
agencies who have asked to participate in the meeting.
- International, regional, subregional and national agencies and organizations
that are involved in telecommunications activities in the region who have asked to
participate in the meeting.
- The observers referred to in this Article may speak at the plenary session of the CITEL
Assembly or at the sessions of its principal committees, only when invited to do so by the
corresponding presiding officer, because of special interest or expertise in a specific
topic of discussion. Alternatively, such observers may provide written statements on such
topics when expressly authorized or requested to do so by the presiding officer.
Article 17
- Unless otherwise specified by COM/CITEL, any state or entity referred to in
Article 16 that wishes to participate in a meeting of the CITEL Assembly as an observer,
shall apply to attend, in writing, to the Chairman of COM/CITEL, at least 120 days before
the anticipated opening of that meeting. The Chairman of COM/CITEL shall consult such
applications with the Members of COM/CITEL, and if they approve, the corresponding
invitations shall be extended in accordance with Article 9.
Observer's participation fee
Article 18
- Distribution of documents of the meetings of the CITEL Assembly to the categories of
observers identified in Articles 13, 14 and 15, shall be governed by the applicable
principles, practices and rules of the Organization.
Distribution of documents of the
meetings of the Assembly to the observers identified in Article 16, shall be conditioned
upon payment of a fee to cover the administrative cost of that category of observer's
participation in the meeting. This fee called "a participation fee" shall be
equivalent to 15% of the "contributory unit" corresponding to an Associate
member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, COM/CITEL may decide to exempt payment of the
participation fee by any observer, covered by article 16, where CITEL is exempted from
making similar payments to that observer, on the basis of reciprocity.
Guests
Article 19
- Subject to COM/CITEL's approval and in consultation with the government of the host
country, any person or entity not covered in Article 16, that is a recognized authority or
that has a particular interest in the field of telecommunications may attend the meetings
of the CITEL Assembly as a guest. COM/CITEL will develop guidelines to determine
qualifications for guests.
Article 20
- Any person or entity that wishes to be invited to a CITEL Assembly Meeting as a guest,
shall apply to the Chairman of COM/CITEL, in writing, not later than 120 days before the
anticipated opening of the CITEL Assembly Meeting. The Chairman of COM/CITEL shall
consider the application with the members of COM/CITEL, and with their approval, the
corresponding invitation shall be extended in accordance with Article 9, provided the
government of the host country does not object to it.
Article 21
- Guests may attend the plenary meetings and the meetings of the committees for the sole
purpose of following the discussions. However, they may take part in committee discussions
only if they are requested to do so by the Chairman of the Committee and there is no
objection from any Member State present. Guests shall not receive copies of contributions,
papers or reports of the proceedings, unless COM/CITEL decides to provide the documents to
a guest when it approves an invitation.
C. OFFICERS
Election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen
Article 22
- The Assembly Chairman and both Vice-Chairmen shall be elected in the first plenary
session, in accordance with the procedures outlined in Article 8 of the Statute. These
officials will remain in office until the Assembly is adjourned.
Duties of the Chairman of the CITEL Assembly.
Article 23
- The Assembly Chairman shall:
- Convoke plenary sessions;
- Establish the order of business of the sessions;
- Open and close the plenary sessions and direct their discussions;
- Grant the floor to the participants in the order in which they request it,
giving precedence to representatives of the Member States when appropriate;
- Put the topics under discussion to a vote, and announce decisions taken;
- Rule on points of order being submitted to the Assembly for consideration;
- Establish the working committees, and
- Generally, ensure compliance with these Regulations.
- When any speaker departs from the topic under discussion the Assembly Chairman may draw
this to his attention. Likewise, during discussion of a topic, the Chairman may propose
limitation of the time to be allowed to speakers, limitation of the number of times a
participant may speak, closure of the list of speakers, or closure of discussion. He may
also propose the suspension or adjournment of a session, or postponement of discussion of
the matter under consideration.
Participation by the Assembly Chairman in Voting and Discussion
Article 24
- The Assembly Chairman shall not participate from the chair in a substantive discussion,
nor shall vote on any matter before the plenary sessions of the Assembly.
Duties of the Vice-Chairmen Acting as Chairman
Article 25
- If the Chairman is absent from a session or from part of it, one of the Vice-Chairmen
shall take his place, according to the order of precedence, and shall enjoy the same
powers and duties as the Chairman.
Absence or Disability of the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen
Article 26
- In the event of the absence or disability of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen of the
CITEL Assembly, the Meeting shall be presided over by one of the Chairmen of the working
committees, according to the order of numbering of those committees.
D. AGENDA
Agenda of the Regular Meetings
Article 27
- COM/CITEL shall prepare a preliminary agenda for each Regular Meeting of the CITEL
Assembly to be provided to the Member States for their consideration at least three months
in advance of the anticipated opening of the Assembly.
- In preparing the preliminary agenda, the COM/CITEL shall take into account the topics
proposed by the governments of the Member States, those mandated by the General Assembly
of the Organization, and may take into consideration those recommended by other organs of
the Organization.
- The Member States shall have thirty days to present their observations on the
preliminary agenda to the Chairman of COM/CITEL. On the basis of these observations,
COM/CITEL shall draw-up the agenda for the Assembly meeting.
- The agenda so approved, may be amended or otherwise modified only during the Regular
Meeting of the CITEL Assembly by a vote of two thirds of the participating Member States.
Agenda of Special Meetings
Article 28
- The agenda of each Special Meeting of the CITEL Assembly shall be confined to the
subject or subjects for which the Meeting was convoked. The procedures and time periods
for the preparation of the agenda of a Special Meeting shall be established in each case
by COM/CITEL.
Reports and Proposals
Article 29
- Generally, the CITEL Assembly shall consider two kinds of papers: reports and proposals.
Reports shall be informative in nature, while proposals shall be submitted to the Assembly
for its consideration. During an Assembly meeting, other forms of work or technical
contributions may be solicited.
Article 30
- Reports and proposals shall normally be presented to the Executive Secretary four months
in advance of the date set for the opening of the CITEL Assembly, in order to permit their
distribution to the Member States in the working languages, together with the report of
COM/CITEL and the Secretariat. The Executive Secretary shall distribute these documents to
the Member States by the most effective means of communications so that they are received
not later than two months before the start of a meeting.
- At the beginning of a meeting, the Assembly may establish a period of time in which
additional proposals may be submitted to it for consideration.
E. SESSIONS
Informal Meeting of Heads of Delegations
Article 31
- Prior to the inaugural session, the heads of delegations of the Member States or their
alternates shall meet informally, upon being called together by the Chairman of COM/CITEL,
to agree on the various aspects concerning the organization of the work of the CITEL
Assembly.
First Plenary Session
Article 32
- The first plenary session shall be held as soon as possible after the CITEL Assembly
Meeting has been inaugurated. At that session, the CITEL Assembly shall elect its
officers, and establish the committees referred to in Chapter II section F of these
Regulations. Immediately thereafter the working committees shall be installed and their
respective officers elected.
Adoption of Decisions
Article 33
- The CITEL Assembly shall adopt its decisions in the form of resolutions, recommendations
and declarations, at its plenary sessions. The Secretariat shall distribute those
decisions immediately after their adoption.
Article 34
- Decisions with financial repercussions for the Organization shall include an estimate of
the corresponding cost.
Public and Private Sessions
Article 35
- Plenary sessions and meetings of the working committees shall be public sessions.
However, if the chairman so provides or any representative so requests, the meeting shall
be private, and shall so continue unless the members participating in the meeting decide
otherwise.
- Private sessions may only be attended by the heads of delegations of the Member States,
the members of the delegations designated by those heads, and such Secretariat personnel
as the Chairman of the respective body may expressly authorize in each case.
Article 36
- All decisions taken by the CITEL Assembly in a private plenary session shall be
announced at the next public plenary session.
Article 37
- No plenary, committee, subcommittee, ad hoc group, or working group session shall be
held unless the place and time have been announced to participants sufficiently in advance
to permit them to attend.
F. COMMITTEES
Steering Committee
Article 38
- The Steering Committee is made up of the Chairman of the CITEL Assembly, who shall
preside over it, the two Vice-Chairmen, and the Chairmen of the working committees.
- The Chairman of the CITEL Assembly shall convoke the Steering Committee whenever he
deems it desirable for the best performance of the work of the Assembly.
- The task of the Steering Committee is to resolve any difficulties that may arise
regarding the functioning of the CITEL Assembly and to suggest appropriate solutions to
the committees or to a plenary session. For the effective operation of the CITEL Assembly,
it shall coordinate the work of the working committees.
Committee on Credentials
Article 39
- The Committee on Credentials is composed of the representatives of three Member States
elected at the first plenary session of the CITEL Assembly. The Committee shall elect its
chairman.
- The Committee on Credentials shall examine the credentials of the delegations and submit
a report to the CITEL Assembly forthwith.
Style Committee
Article 40
- The Style Committee is composed of the representatives of four Member States elected at
the first plenary session of the CITEL Assembly, each of which shall represent one of the
four languages.
- The Style Committee shall receive the drafts of resolutions and recommendations adopted
by committees before they are submitted to a plenary session for its consideration, and
shall introduce in them such style changes as it deems necessary. If the Style Committee
notes that a draft suffers from defects of form that it can not correct, the it shall
raise the question with the committee concerned, or at a plenary session of the Assembly.
Drafting Committee
Article 41
- The Drafting Committee for the working sessions of the Plenary meetings and for the
Final Report of the Assembly, shall be designated during the first Plenary Session and
shall be composed of the first four delegates by order of precedence who volunteer. The
Drafting Committee shall draft the minutes of the meeting of the informal session, of each
Plenary session, of the inaugural and closing sessions, as well as the Final Report. The
Committee shall present to each Plenary Session a draft report of all preceding sessions.
Working Committees
Article 42
- The CITEL Assembly shall establish such working committees as it deems desirable for
consideration of the various topics on the agenda.
- A working committee is made up of the delegations of the Member States that advise the
Chairman of the CITEL Assembly before the first working meeting of the committee, that
they wish to take part in that committee.
- The installation meeting of each working committee shall be held with the delegations
that up to the time of the meeting, have expressed their desire to form part of it.
- Each working committee shall elect a chairman, and may also elect a vice-chairman and a
rapporteur.
- Each working committee shall study the topics assigned to it by the CITEL Assembly and
shall present to the plenary session a report on its discussions, the draft resolutions or
proposals considered, and its recommendations.
Subcommittees and working groups
Article 43
- Each working committee may establish such subcommittees and/or working or drafting
groups, as it considers advisable. A working committee may also authorize its Chairman to
appoint to the subcommittees or groups, members who reflect the different views that have
been expressed on the matters which the subcommittee or group is to consider.
- Each subcommittee may establish such working or drafting groups as it may consider
necessary. The Chairman of each such group shall present to the body that established it,
its conclusions or recommendations.
- Delegations that are not members of a subcommittee, working group, or drafting group,
shall have the right to participate in the meetings of these bodies with voice but without
vote.
G. QUORUM
Article 44
- For Plenary Sessions, the presence of more than half of the Member States shall
constitute a quorum.
- For the committees, subcommittees, and working groups of the CITEL Assembly, the
presence of more than half of the members of the body concerned shall constitute a quorum.
H. DEBATES AND PROCEDURES
Proposals and Amendments
Article 45
- Proposals and amendments must be presented in writing to the Secretariat not later than
the day before the session at which they are to be discussed or submitted to a vote, so
that they may be distributed to the delegations. However, if the body that is required to
deal with the matter does not object, its Chairman may authorize discussion of a proposal
or amendment that was not distributed in time.
- The delegation that presents a proposal shall indicate the working committee that should
study a proposal or amendment, unless the proposal is one that is required to be submitted
to a plenary session for discussion. In case of doubt, the Chairman of the Assembly shall
decide.
Withdrawal of Proposals
Article 46
- A proposal or an amendment may be withdrawn by its proponent before it has been put to a
vote. Any delegate may present again a proposal or amendment that has been withdrawn.
Reconsideration of Decisions
Article 47
- Proposals concerning decisions that have already been taken may be reconsidered, if a
request to do so is made prior to the adjournment of the session at which the proposal was
voted upon, or at the session immediately following. In the case of a motion for
reconsideration, the floor shall be granted to one speaker to second the motion and to two
other speakers to oppose it, after which the motion shall be submitted to a vote. For
approval of such a motion, the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the body
concerned is required. When the motion for reconsideration has been approved, the
discussion and vote on the substance of the matter shall be governed by the applicable
provisions of these regulations.
Points of Order
Article 48
- During the discussion of a matter, any delegation may raise a point of order, which
shall be decided upon immediately by the Chairman. Any representative may appeal the
decision of the Chairman, in which case the appeal shall be put to a vote. When raising a
point of order, a representative may not speak on the substance of the matter under
discussion.
Suspension of Discussion
Article 49
- The Chairman or any representative may make a motion that discussion be suspended. Only
two representatives may speak briefly in favor of such a motion and two against it, after
which it shall be immediately put to a vote.
Closing Discussion
Article 50
- Any representative may make a motion that discussion be closed when he considers that a
topic has been discussed sufficiently. This motion may be opposed briefly by two
representatives, after which it shall be declared approved if it receives the vote of
two-thirds of the delegations present at the session. The Chairman may limit the time
allowed to speakers under this Article.
Suspension or Adjournment of a Session
Article 51
- During the discussion of any topic, a representative may make a motion that the session
be suspended or adjourned. Such motions shall be put to a vote immediately, without
discussion. The Chairman may limit the length of the remarks of the representative who
proposes suspension or adjournment of the session.
Order of Procedural Motions
Article 52
- Except as provided in Article 48, the following motions shall have precedence over all
other proposals or motions, in the order set forth below:
- Suspension of the session;
- Adjournment of the session;
- Suspension of discussion of the topic under consideration.
- Close of the debate of the topic under consideration.
General Provisions for All the Deliberative Bodies of the CITEL Assembly Meeting
Article 53
- The general provisions relating to discussion contained in this chapter shall be
applicable to the plenary sessions, and to the committees, subcommittees,and working
groups of the CITEL Assembly.
I. VOTING
Voting on Proposals
Article 54
- After debate is closed, and if the proposals presented are not approved by consensus,
those proposals, together with any proposed amendments, shall be put to a vote. Proposals
shall be voted upon in the order in which they are presented, unless the respective body
decides to the contrary. After the chairman has announced the start of the voting, no
representative may interrupt it, except for a point of order relating to the manner in
which the voting is being conducted. The process of voting and vote-counting shall end
when the chairman announces the result.
Abstentions
Article 55
- For the purpose of establishing the necessary majority, abstentions shall be counted as
votes cast.
Ties
Article 56
- In the event of a tie, the proposal voted on shall be considered to have been rejected.
Repeat Vote
Article 57
- Should any doubt arise as to the results of a vote, any delegation may request that the
vote be repeated immediately. The new vote shall be limited to the same delegations that
took part in the original vote.
Voting on Amendments
Article 58
- A motion is considered an amendment to a proposal if it merely adds to, deletes from, or
revises part of a proposal. A motion that would totally replace the original proposal, or
that it is not directly related to it shall not be considered as an amendment.
Article 59
- When an amendment to a proposal is presented, the amendment shall be voted on first.
When two or more amendments to a proposal are made, the vote shall be taken first on the
one that departs furthest from the original text. The other amendments shall be voted upon
in like order. In case of doubt in this regard, they shall be voted upon in the order of
their presentation.
Article 60
- When the fact that one amendment has been adopted necessarily implies the exclusion of
another, the latter amendment shall not be put to a vote. If one or more of the amendments
are adopted, the complete proposal as amended shall be put to a vote.
Article 61
- If any delegation so requests, a proposal or amendment shall be put to a vote by parts.
If any delegation is opposed to that request, the body concerned shall decide whether the
voting should be by parts. If the request for voting by parts is accepted, the various
parts of the proposal or amendment that are accepted shall be voted upon as a whole. If
all the operative parts of a proposal or amendment are rejected, it shall be deemed that
it has been rejected entirely.
J. ELECTIONS
Article 62
- In cases where only one Member State or one person is to be elected, if no candidate
obtains the vote of an absolute majority of the participating Member States on the first
ballot, a second, or if necessary a third ballot shall be taken, limited to the two
candidates receiving the largest number of votes. If after the third ballot no candidate
has obtained the required majority, the election shall be suspended for a period of up to
twenty-four hours. When the election is resumed, up to two additional ballots shall be
taken. If neither of the two candidates is elected, the balloting procedure established in
this article shall be started again, with respect to the candidates who are presented.
Article 63
- When two or more elected posts are to be filled at the same time and under the same
conditions, the candidates obtaining the vote of an absolute majority on the first ballot
shall be declared elected. If the number of candidates obtaining such majority is less
than the number of persons or members to be elected, there shall be additional ballots to
fill the remaining posts, the voting being limited to the candidates who have received the
most votes on the previous ballot, in such a way that the number of candidates will not be
more than twice the number of posts remaining to be filled.
Article 64
- In case of a tie among two or more candidates or Member States, as the case may be, who
have received at least the required majority, if the number of places to be filled is less
than the number of candidates or Member States who have received the same number of votes,
another ballot shall be taken. If the tie is not broken in this second ballot, the
elections shall be decided by lot.
K. DOCUMENTS
Summary Minutes
Article 65
- Summary minutes shall be kept of the open plenary sessions and of the open committee
meetings of the CITEL Assembly. The Secretariat of CITEL shall distribute the summary
minutes to the delegations as promptly as possible. The delegations shall present to the
Secretariat, within twenty-four hours following the distribution of the summary minutes,
any corrections of style they consider necessary. The minutes so corrected and the
appendices shall be published as part of the official documentation of the CITEL Assembly.
The appendices of the summary minutes shall contain the complete statement of a delegation
if the delegation so requests.
Summary of the Activities
Article 66
- After the termination of the Assembly Meeting, the Secretariat shall prepare and
distribute the final report of the Assembly, containing a summary of the activities
carried out by it, which shall include background information on the Assembly; the list of
officers of the Assembly and of the Committees, Subcommittees, Working groups and ad hoc
groups; the official list of participants; a brief summary of the sessions held, and the
decisions adopted by the Assembly in their final form. This document shall be prepared in
the four official languages. For this purpose, the Secretariat may request the advice of
the delegations to the Permanent Council of the Organization that represent the countries
where those languages are spoken, and of COM/CITEL.
Filing of Documents
Article 67
- The Secretariat shall be the custodian of the official documents and files of the
meetings of the Assembly. The Chairman of COM/CITEL shall keep in his possession copies of
all these documents and files.
CHAPTER III
THE PERMANENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (COM/CITEL)
Length of Term
Article 68
- The Officers and members of COM/CITEL shall occupy their positions until the election of
the new members at the next Regular Meeting of the CITEL Assembly.
Appointment of Representatives of COM/CITEL
Article 69
- The institution designated to act on behalf of each Member State elected to COM/CITEL,
shall appoint a principal representative and an alternate representative, both of them
specialized in telecommunications matters, and the Member State may replace them as it
deems advisable. The names of the representatives shall be communicated in writing to the
Executive Secretary as they are appointed.
Functions
Article 70
- The functions of COM/CITEL are set out in Article 17 of the Statute.
Work Program
Article 71
- At each installation session, COM/CITEL shall prepare its work program for the
intervening period until its next meeting, and shall set the date and place for its
meetings. COM/CITEL may establish technical committees, sub-committees, working groups and
ad hoc groups, joint working groups and rapporteurs to perform its functions.
Duties of the Chairman
Article 72
- The Chairman of COM/CITEL is an ex officio member of all committees of CITEL and shall
have the following duties in addition to those identified in the Statute:
- To preside provisionally over the Regular and Special Meetings of the CITEL
Assembly until the Chairman of the Assembly is elected;
- To represent CITEL before other organs of the Organization, the governmental
telecommunications entities of the CITEL Members, and other organizations that participate
in telecommunications development activities in the American States;
- To see that the functions of COM/CITEL as provided in Article 17 of the Statute
are performed;
- In cooperation with the Executive Secretary, to draw up the agendas for the
meetings of COM/CITEL, in consultation with the other members;
- To speak for COM/CITEL to the Secretary General of the Organization, and to
communicate to him the decisions that COM/CITEL has adopted;
- To communicate through the Executive Secretary with the governments of the
Member States of CITEL and institutions interested in the objectives of CITEL regarding
matters relating to the functioning of CITEL;
- To represent CITEL, when the COM/CITEL so authorizes him, at public functions
and at meetings of international organizations, with authority to delegate this
representation to another member of COM/CITEL;
- Through the Executive Secretary of CITEL, to present to the Secretary General
of the Organization an annual progress report on the activities of CITEL to comply with
Article 90(f) of the Charter of the Organization.
- With the assistance of the Executive Secretary, to make known and to coordinate
on behalf of COM/CITEL, the work of the technical committees, and working groups
established by COM/CITEL and see that it is carried out;
- To coordinate the work of the Permanent Consultative Committees, and to see
that it is carried out;
Order of Succession
Article 73
- In the event of temporary or permanent impediment of the Chairman of COM/CITEL to serve,
the Vice-Chairman shall replace him. In the event of impediment of both, the eldest of the
Chairmen of the Permanent Consultative Committees shall exercise the duties of the
Chairmanship until the next Regular Meeting of the CITEL Assembly.
Headquarters of COM/CITEL
Article 74
- The Member State elected to preside over COM/CITEL shall organize and maintain during
its term, at its sole expense, and under the exclusive responsibility of the Chairman, an
office composed of a full-time assistant to the Chairman, and all necessary technical and
administrative personnel. In addition, that Member State shall provide premises for the
office and for meetings, as well as other suitable work facilities for the best possible
performance of COM/CITEL's duties and responsibilities. For all purposes, the office shall
be responsible exclusively to the Chairman of COM/CITEL, and shall not be dependent upon
the General Secretariat of the Organization.
- The Chairman of COM/CITEL shall maintain close cooperative and working relations with
the Executive Secretary for purposes of coordination and liaison, as well as for the best
possible performance of the various tasks of COM/CITEL. The Chairman of COM/CITEL shall
send copies of all official correspondence sent or received by him to the Executive
Secretary.
Article 75
- When COM/CITEL establishes a technical committee, subcommittee, a working group, or an
ad hoc group, that committee, subcommittee or group shall have its headquarters in the
country selected to preside over it. As in the case of the headquarters of COM/CITEL, the
country concerned shall provide, at its expense, the staff and the necessary facilities
for the performance of its functions.
Article 76
- Rules governing COM/CITEL meetings, quorum, voting and travel expenses are as contained
in Articles 18 to 21 of the Statute.
- If for any reason a Regular Meeting of COM/CITEL cannot be held in the country of the
Chairperson, it shall be held at the General Secretariat of the Organization, unless one
of the Member States, with sufficient advance notice, offers to host the meeting, in which
case COM/CITEL may agree to hold the meeting in that country.
- The General Secretary of the Organization, or by delegation, the CITEL Executive
Secretary, shall transmit the notice of convocation of the Meeting and the invitations to
the participants as soon as the country offering to host the meeting confirms to CITEL
Secretariat the exact date, city and specific location for the meeting. The country
offering to host a meeting shall provide this information to the Executive Secretary, no
later than 60 days before the proposed date of the meeting.
CHAPTER IV
PERMANENT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES (PCCs)
A. ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS
Article 77
- The CITEL Assembly shall establish the Permanent Consultative Committees (PCCs) that it
considers necessary to attain the objectives defined in Article 3 of the Statute together
with specific terms of reference for each PCC. A PCC shall continue in force until such
time as the CITEL Assembly itself, or COM/CITEL deems its functions and purpose to be
concluded. The names of the PCCs are listed in Annex 1 of these Regulations.
- Each PCC shall be presided over by a Chairman who shall be the representative appointed
by the government of the host country for the PCC. The PCC may establish a position of
Vice Chairman to assist the Chairman in the performance of his duties. The country from
which a Vice Chairman is appointed, may host an additional meeting of the PCC in a given
year, and in such case, will be responsible for providing meeting sites, personnel, and
administrative support for the meeting.
Duties of the Chairman of a PCC
Article 78
- The Chairman of a PCC shall:
- Convene through the Executive Secretary the PCC at least once a year and
designate the place and date for the meeting;
- Direct the work of the PCC, prepare the material for meetings, as well as
studies, decisions, and draft resolutions, and send them to the Chairman of COM/CITEL for
information and to the Executive Secretary for processing.
- Report PCC work results, in writing, every six months, to the Executive
Secretary and to the Chairman of COM/CITEL.
- Report to the CITEL Assembly on matters within the competence of the PCC.
Chairman's Office
Article 79
- The Member State elected to preside over a PCC shall organize, and maintain at its sole
expense, and under the exclusive responsibility of the Chairman, an office composed of the
necessary technical and administrative personnel. For all purposes, this office shall be
responsible exclusively to the Chairman of the PCC and shall not be dependent in any way
upon the General Secretariat of the Organization.
Working groups and ad hoc groups
Article 80
- Each PCC may establish working groups and ad hoc groups in accordance with Article 93.
Those groups shall submit reports of their activities to the PCC.
- PCCs shall also appoint rapporteurs for their working groups and ad hoc groups in
order to deal with the issues entrusted to said groups. The rapporteurs shall submit their
reports to the working groups or ad hoc groups to which they belong.
B. PARTICIPATION IN THE PCC
Members
Article 81
- Each CITEL Member State may appoint a representative who is a specialist in
telecommunications to a PCC in accordance with the method set out in Article 4. A Member
State may remove or replace its representative by notifying the Executive Secretary, in
writing, of its decision to do so.
Associate Members
Article 82
- Associate Membership on a PCC is open to any recognized operating agency, scientific or
industrial organization or financial or development institution related to the
telecommunications industry that has a legal personality, (hereinafter entity), provided
that the entity's Associate Membership is approved by the corresponding Member State of
CITEL.
- The expression "corresponding Member State of CITEL" means the country where
the entity was incorporated or has its principal office.
- Applications from entities wishing to become Associate Members of a PCC must be
forwarded to the Member State belonging to the respective PCC, together with an indication
of the elected contributory unit and the pertinent information of a contact person to whom
procedural information may be sent. The corresponding Member State shall be responsible
for examining and approving such applications based on such criteria or procedures for
sponsoring Associate Members as it deems appropriate.
- Where appropriate, the Member State will notify the Executive Secretary of its
approval of an application received from an entity, indicating the elected contributory
unit and the pertinent information of the contact person to whom procedural information
may be sent.
- The Executive Secretary will notify the entity of the decision taken with respect to
its application and the procedures which Associate Membership entails.
- The Executive Secretary will notify the Chairman of COM/CITEL and the Chairman of the
respective PCC about the admission of the entity referred to in 5 above.
- A list of all entities granted Associate Membership in each PCC shall be compiled and
maintained by the Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary shall provide the Secretary
General of the Organization, all Member States of CITEL and the PCCs with a copy of the
list.
- An "entity" shall cease to be an Associate Member in the event that approval
is withdrawn by the corresponding Member State.
Participation of Associate Members
Article 83
- Associate Members of a PCC may fully participate in all the activities of that PCC with
voice but without vote. They may present technical papers and receive the documents of
that PCC.
- Associate Members of a PCC may fully participate in all the activities of that PCC with
voice by without vote. They may present technical papers and receive the documents of that
PCC. An Associate Member of any PCC shall also be qualified to participate in the work
of any joint working group to which its PCC belongs, without being requested the payment
of additional fees.
- When authorized in writing by a duly designated governmental representative of a Member
State which is a Member of a PCC, an Associate Member may in that PCC and on behalf of and
in representation of that State: (1) vote, (2) submit papers, and (3) propose to include
topics on the PCC Agenda. The authorization should be communicated in writing to the
Executive Secretary before the opening of the meeting.
Associate Membership Fee
Article 84
- Associate Members shall share in the costs of operation of the PCC in which it
participates by voluntarily choosing a contributory level. The contributory level shall be
based upon a "unit" scale. The smallest share shall be "one" unit. The
monetary value of the unit, stated in U.S. dollars, shall be set by the CITEL Assembly,
and shall cover membership pro-rated for one calendar year.
- Funds derived from Associate Membership fees shall be allocated to the budget of the
corresponding PCC and used as directed by the respective PCC Chairman to defray expenses
of PCC meetings.
- Associate Members who pay their fees within 90 days of billing shall be deemed active
Associate Members. Those who do not pay within this time without informing the
Executive Secretary on the reasons for such delay shall be deemed passive Associate
Members, and shall have their membership privileges suspended until such time as their
accounts are paid up to date. If the Executive Secretary is satisfied with the
justification of the delayed payment of fees by a Member, he may extend the deadline for
account updating up to a maximum of sixth months as from the original payment deadline.
- Any Associate Member may renounce membership in any PCC by written notification of such
intention to the Executive Secretary. Such renunciation will become effective 90 days from
the date of notification. In such a case membership fees will be prorated on a yearly
basis.
- In case of renunciation, Associate Members shall be liable for their fees up until the
effective date of renunciation, and likewise, those who are up to date in their fees,
shall be considered active Associate Members up until that same effective date.
Observers
Article 85
- Observers in the categories set out in articles 13, 14, and 16 may participate as
observers to the PCCs under the same conditions which these Regulations prescribe for
their participation in the meetings of the CITEL Assembly, by appointing their
representatives in a written notice addresssed to the Chairman of the corresponding PCC.
- Subject to the approval of the Chairman of the corresponding PCC and upon
consultation with the country hosting the meeting, any person or entity not covered by the
paragraph above or by Article 16 of the Regulations of CITEL, whether a recognized
authority or other person or entity having particular interest in telecommunications, may
attend the meetings of the PCCs, their working groups, and their ad hoc groups as a guest.
C. MEETINGS
Article 86
- Each PCC shall meet at least once a year at a time and place determined by its
respective Chairman. The meetings of a PCC shall be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of these Regulations in relation to the CITEL Assembly, to the extent that
those provisions may be applied.
- Papers, studies, decisions, and draft resolutions of a PCC which require consideration
of the CITEL Assembly shall be submitted to COM/CITEL at least four months before a
meeting of the CITEL Assembly is held.
- A PCC may hold private sessions restricting participation solely to Members and
Associate Members. However, on the basis of reciprocity, observer organizations may be
invited by the Chairman of the PCC concerned to attend these private sessions.
- If for any reason a Regular Meeting of the Permanent Consultative Committees cannot
be held in the country chosen by the Chairperson, it shall be held at the General
Secretariat of the Organization, unless one of the Member States, with sufficient advance
notice offers to host the meeting, in which case the Chairman of COM/CITEL may agree to
hold the meeting in that country.
- The Secretary General of the Organization, or by delegation, the CITEL Executive
Secretary, shall transmit the notice of convocation of the meeting and the invitations to
the participants as soon as the country offering to host the meeting confirms to the CITEL
Secretariat the exact date, city and specific location for the meeting. The country
offering to host a meeting shall provide this information to the Executive Secretary, no
later than 60 days before the proposed date of the meeting.
Decisions
Article 87
- In the absence of consensus in the deliberations of the PCCs, draft resolutions shall be
adopted in accordance with the voting rules set out in Article 94.
- The approval of any PCC resolution will require the affirmative vote of at least
one-third of all CITEL Member States.
CHAPTER V
THE SECRETARIAT
Article 88
- The Secretariat shall be composed of the Executive Secretary, appointed by the Secretary
General of the Organization, in consultation with the members of COM/CITEL, and the
professional and administrative staff that the Secretary General appoints in accordance
with the General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat of the
Organization of American States.
The Executive Secretary of CITEL
Article 89
- The Executive Secretary of CITEL shall be a person highly versed in the subject matter.
The post of Executive Secretary of CITEL is a position of trust, regulated by the General
Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat of the Organization of
American States.
- In addition to the functions established in the CITEL Statute, the Executive Secretary
shall have the following duties:
- To prepare the technical documents assigned to him by the organs of CITEL and
the working documents for CITEL meetings;
- To serve as Technical Secretary of the meetings of the CITEL Assembly and of
COM/CITEL;
- To see that the minutes, decisions, papers, and draft resolutions of all the
organs of CITEL are in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Organization,
the mandates of the General Assembly, the Statute of CITEL, and these Regulations;
- To receive official correspondence relating to CITEL, to deal with it
appropriately, and to handle communications regarding the work of the Secretariat,
informing the Secretary General of the Organization thereof. Copies of such correspondence
shall be sent to the Chairman of COM/CITEL;
- To carry out the decisions and tasks that the different organs of CITEL may
request;
- To cooperate with the Chairman of COM/CITEL in the preparation of the draft
agenda for each CITEL Assembly Meeting, as well as in the preparation of the agenda for
each COM/CITEL meeting;
- To prepare documents, studies, and reports necessary for each CITEL Assembly
and COM/CITEL meetings, taking into account the guidelines established in this regard by
COM/CITEL;
- Once COM/CITEL has decided upon the date and place for the regular and special
meetings of the Assembly, to so inform the Member States immediately in writing;
- To prepare notices of convocation for the meetings of all CITEL organs;
- To cooperate with COM/CITEL in the preparation of the annual report of CITEL to
be presented through the Secretary General to the Permanent Council of the Organization
for its consideration;
- To keep CITEL Member States permanently informed of technical activities in the
field of telecommunications, in accordance with the instructions received from the
Chairman of COM/CITEL and taking into account the information received by COM/CITEL;
- To provide information on the resolutions and decisions of the CITEL Assembly
on telecommunications matters to world or regional governmental or nongovernmental
agencies specializing in telecommunications, for which purpose a periodic newsletter may
be utilized;
- To provide a periodic information service, with widespread coverage on the
progress of telecommunications and their development in the American States;
- To maintain custody of the files containing the official documentation of all
the meetings of the CITEL organs;
- To represent the Chairman of COM/CITEL at public or private functions and at
meetings of international organizations, when the Chairman so decides;
- After consultation with the Chairmen of the Permanent Consultative Committees,
to prepare and submit to COM/CITEL a biennial preliminary draft budget for the following
two years taking into account the directions given by the previous CITEL Assembly Meeting.
Also, to prepare for submission to COM/CITEL any adjustments to the second half of the
biennial budget as may be required;
- To supervise the staff of the CITEL Secretariat assuring the most effective use
of personnel;
- To prepare and distribute to Member States and Associate Members a publication
containing the resolutions, recommendations, and declarations of the Assembly, COM/CITEL
and the PCCs;
- To prepare annually, for submission to and approval by COM/CITEL, a schedule
of meetings covering the following two year period. In preparing the schedule of meetings,
the Secretariat should take into consideration the schedule of pertinent OAS, ITU and
Regional Organizations meetings, and should also coordinate beforehand with the
chairpersons of the various committees.
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. TRAVEL EXPENSES
Article 90
- Travel expenses for staff members of the General Secretariat of the Organization
attending any meeting of the CITEL organs, in order to be charged to CITEL's budget, must
be expressly provided for and approved in that budget.
B. WORKING METHODS OF CITEL
Schedule of meetings and agendas
Article 91
- Meeting dates should be set well in advance.
- COM/CITEL shall set and distribute a calendar of proposed meetings for all
CITEL organs, including specific dates and venue.
- The calendar of proposed meetings should be drawn up to minimize conflict with
major activities of the ITU, and as appropriate, with regional meetings of related
standards or development organizations.
- To the extent practicable, meetings of CITEL organs provided for in the Statute
should be regularized. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the
Chairmen.
- Information about the calendar meetings and meeting notices should appear regularly in
the "Newsletter".
- COM/CITEL shall prepare a draft preliminary agenda for each Regular Meeting of the CITEL
Assembly one year in advance.
- Chairmen of the PCCs, with the assistance of the Executive Secretary, shall send
proposed agendas for the PCC meetings to all participants of the respective committees at
least two months prior to the meeting.
Conduct of meetings and administrative support
Article 92
- The Executive Secretary shall provide administrative support to prepare for, conduct,
and follow-up on all the meetings of the CITEL Assembly, COM/CITEL and each of the PCCs in
accordance with the budget and taking into account the level of support provided by the
host country.
- The Chairman's reports and the technical contributions or proposals to be considered at
each PCC Plenary meeting should be provided to all members and Associate Members at least
one month prior to the meeting. Additional technical contributions may be submitted up to
the date of the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.
- All documents for meetings of the CITEL Assembly and COM/CITEL are to be translated and
distributed by the Secretariat to members in final reproducible form, if possible, in
English and Spanish, at least two months prior to the meeting.
- Members are encouraged to use facsimile and other modern means of communications to
conduct business to the extent possible. This should be the normal way for working groups
and ad hoc groups to work to minimize the number of meetings.
- Seminars, ad hoc groups and working groups of each PCC should be scheduled in as much as
possible, in conjunction with a relevant PCC Plenary meeting.
- Members States or Associate Members who host seminars, ad hoc groups or working groups
that meet independently of a regular PCC meeting, shall bear the costs of such meetings.
Working Procedures governing the activities of the PCCs
Article 93
- The process that determines areas of priority interest among the participants involves
holding seminars on topics of interests, and forming ad hoc groups to explore areas that
may be subjects of permanent working groups. This process should be used at the PCC level.
- Seminar and discussions on topics of interest should be held in conjunction with PPC
meetings (preceding the PCC Plenary Meeting), at the establishment of any ad hoc groups
or, if appropriate, any Working Groups on particular subjects.
- Before any ad hoc group is created the scope of interest and terms of reference for such
a group must be defined. A member of the PCC must be appointed to serve as Chairman, and
at least two other members must commit to actively pursuing the mandate of such ad hoc
group. Also, a Vice-Chairman could be appointed.
- Ad hoc groups normally work for one or two years making periodic reports to the Chairman
of the PCC. Upon recommendation of the ad hoc Group, the PCC may consider making the Group
(and subject matter) a Working Group of the PCC.
- A formal Working Group of a PCC will have a Chairman and one or more Vice Chairmen who
shall be appointed by the PCC Chairman with at least 5 additional Administrations as
members. All PCC members would be welcome to attend any meetings. However, only those that
specifically register as members of the Working Group may be assured of getting working
documents and they would be expected to be active in the work of the group.
- A formal Working Group shall also have specific terms of reference with particular
issues to be studied or questions to be addressed during a specific period of time
(normally from 2 to 4 years).
- The Working Group Chairman shall provide written reports on the progress of the work to
the Chairman of the PCC at least 2 months prior to the PCC Plenary meeting each year.
These reports are to be distributed to all members of the PCC by the Executive Secretary.
Oral reports should be given at the PCC meetings by the Working Group chairmen.
- Any proposed actions in the form of resolutions or recommendations from a Working Group
to the PCC should be clearly identified and supported in the Working Group report. The
report should state that the action being proposed has received approval from all the
registered members of the Working Group who were active in the work.
- The PCC Plenary shall adopt the Working Group recommendations or resolutions by
consensus with at least one third of the members present; such actions may also be taken
by correspondence provided that there are no negative responses.
- The Statute and Regulations of CITEL allow each of the PCCs to change and adapt its work
methods to most efficiently meet the needs of its members.
- COM/CITEL shall routinely review the work programs of the PCCs and provide advice to the
PCC chairmen regarding areas where there is overlap or redundancy and where more
coordination among the PCCs is required. In this regard the chairmen of the PCCs should
routinely coordinate to avoid duplication and to identify areas where formal cooperation
between and among PCCs would be useful.
- Additional study topics can also be addressed, but work is to be conducted by
correspondence only. If a coordinator is appointed for a topic area, that person should
assist in the distribution of working papers to the full PCC membership.
- Both the Assembly of CITEL and COM/CITEL may apply the above processes or any part
thereof when establishing their working or ad hoc groups.
- For purposes of Article 93, the term "working group" shall be taken to
include a "joint working group".
C. VOTING RULES
Article 94
- Where the Statute or these Regulations requires that a decision be taken and a consensus
is not reached, there shall be a vote by secret ballot. The secret ballot rule may be
suspended temporarily on a case by case basis, provided that, before the secret vote is
begun, a motion is made to suspend the rule, and an absolute majority of the participating
Member States approves that motion by a show of hands.
- The Chairman may permit a delegate to explain his vote, either before or after the
voting, and he may limit the time for such an explanation.
D. RELATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Article 95
- With a view to maximizing cooperation and coordination in its activities and work, CITEL
shall collaborate, through such agreements as it deems pertinent, with technical,
governmental, nongovernmental and intergovernmental agencies engaged in activities similar
to those contemplated in the objectives and functions of CITEL, set out in Article 3 of
the Statute.
- When the activities of CITEL are germane to the technical competence of an
inter-American specialized organization, the subsidiary organs, agencies, and other
entities of the inter-American System, CITEL shall request their cooperation in carrying
out those activities.
E. OTHER PROVISIONS
Entry into Force
Article 96
- These Regulations shall enter into force on the date of their approval by the CITEL
Assembly and shall govern all meetings of all CITEL organs.
Amendments to the Regulations
Article 97
- Proposals to amend these Regulations shall be submitted to the CITEL Assembly for
adoption. Adoption of amendments shall be by an absolute majority of the participating
Member States.
- When COM/CITEL determines that an amendment is urgent, it may decide to apply that
amendment provisionally pending final decision by the CITEL Assembly at its next Regular
or Special meeting, in accordance with Article 17(g) of the Statute.
- Amendments to these Regulations, once adopted by the CITEL Assembly, shall be presented
to the General Assembly of the Organization at its next regular session for its
information.
Suspension of provisions from Chapter II
Article 98
- The provisions of Chapter II of these Regulations shall apply to all meetings of the
CITEL Assembly. However, in exceptional circumstances, the Assembly may decide by a
two-thirds majority vote of the participating Member States to suspend temporarily any
provision of Chapter II of these Regulations for the more efficient functioning of the
Assembly. This suspension shall not contravene any provision of the Statute.
Unregulated matters
Article 99
- Situations and matters not provided for in these Regulations shall be decided by
COM/CITEL by an absolute majority vote of its members. Should COM/CITEL not be in session,
they shall be dealt with provisionally by the Chairman, after consulting with the other
members of the COM/CITEL, until COM/CITEL ratifies this decision at its next meeting.
COM/CITEL shall report all decisions adopted under this Article, to the next Regular
Meeting of the CITEL Assembly. No decision adopted under this Article can contradict the
provisions of the CITEL Statute.
ANNEX
NAMES OF THE PCC
In reference to Article 77 of these regulations, CITEL has the following Permanent
Consultative Committees (PCCs):
-
- Permanent Consultative Committee I: Public Telecommunication Services
- Permanent Consultative Committee II: Broadcasting
- Permanent Consultative Committee III: Radiocommunications
¹ SECRETARIAT REMARKS: As amended by Resolutions COM/CITEL RES.1(II-94) and COM/CITEL
RES.28(III-95) approved by the Second and Third Meetings of COM/CITEL, held in Montevideo,
Uruguay, from December 12-16, 1994 and December 12-15, 1995.
In accordance with Article 97 of the Regulations, the amendments approved by the above
mentioned Resolutions are to be applied provisionally pending final decision by the CITEL
Assembly at its next Regular or Special meeting.
The amendments are in italic.