In an article in Geneva’s leading French-language daily today (6 July 01), the Tribune de Genève says an ITU commission has recommended holding the giant Telecom expo every 3 years instead of every 4 years as of now. One of the reasons given for the change is the rate of development of new technology. It is now up to ITU Secretary General, Yoshio Utsumi, to make the final decision, probably in November this year.
The October 2003 TelecomWorld expo will be held in the city to be followed in December of the same year by the important World Summit on the Information Society.
Geneva is making strenuous efforts to keep the prestigious expo in the city. It is not a given but Geneva almost regards Telecom as ‘their’ exhibition. Both have grown in size and importance together. The completion of a major exhibition and congress centre extension to the existing facilities at Palexpo, just opposite Geneva International Airport, will be in time for the 2003 event and will bring Geneva into the top 15 congress cities in the world.
Visitors will then be able to judge just how serious Geneva and Switzerland are on making them welcome by hosting the largest and most successful Telecom World ever.
About the ITU
The ITU is a world-wide organization which brings governments and industry together to coordinate the establishment and operation of global telecommunication networks and services; it is responsible for standardization, coordination and development of international telecommunications including radiocommunications, as well as the harmonization of national policies.
To fulfill its mission, ITU adopts international regulations and treaties governing all terrestrial and space uses of the frequency spectrum as well as the use of all satellite orbits which serve as a framework for national legislations; it develops standards to foster the interconnection of telecommunication systems on a worldwide scale regardless of the type of technology used; it also fosters the development of telecommunications in developing countries.
Geneva has been home to the ITU and its forebear organisations since the 19th century.
Geneva as congress city
As a traditional meeting place and trading crossroads for more than 2’000 years, Geneva takes its role as a global meeting place very seriously. Largely because of the critical mass of some 150 international governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the Office of the United Nations and nearly 200 multinational corporations, Geneva has had to develop an infrastructure capable of meeting the requirements for a global convention centre.
Geneva is now among the world’s top 20 conference and exhibition cities, second only to New York for United Nations headquarter activities, home to many leading economic players in technology, telecommunications, trade, banking, and finance, Geneva is an ideal business location at the heart of Europe and GIA plays a vital role in the continued development of the city and the whole region. Last year, the city hosted 250 congresses.
Visit
Tribune de Genève article on ITU proposal (French only): Link
ITU press release: World Summit on the Information Society: Link
Palexpo – Geneva’s exhibition and congress centre: Link
Ideal business location at the heart of Europe: Link
World-class infrastructure: Link
International Geneva: Link
Geneva Tourist Office: Link
