The 41th Meeting of the Assembly of Parties was held at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington DC from 8 to 10 October 2024. The Assembly of Parties was attended by 94 Member States. and was chaired by Mr. Alexandru Cozma, Head of Delegation, the Party of Romania.
The Assembly, took important decisions on a number of key issues including the approval of the ITSO Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2026, Goals and Objectives through the year 2026, the Financial Budget for the Organization, the reports of two Working Groups focusing on the future resilience and sustainability of ITSO, and the selection of 11 members of the Panel of Legal Experts.
The Assembly of Parties elected Dr. Renata Brazil-David as the new Director General and CEO of ITSO for four years, effective 18 July 2025 through July 2029. Dr. Brazil-David, a citizen of Brazil, will replace Mr. Patrick Masambu, whose mandate will end on 17th July 2025. In addition, the Assembly of Parties decided to designate Dr. Renata Brazil-David as acting Director General/Deputy Director General in accordance with Article X (l) of the ITSO Agreement. In recognition of his exceptional leadership of ITSO during his term of office, the Assembly decided to honor Mr. Masambu with the title of Director General Emeritus to be effective from July 2025.
The Assembly of Parties decided to confirm that Intelsat does have an obligation to provide sufficient funding for ITSO to fulfill all its obligations under the ITSO Agreement. It was also confirmed that Intelsat or any other operator utilizing the Common Heritage must on a timely basis supply all relevant information to ITSO, in accordance with the provisions of the PSA.
Decided on the continuation of the IAC with its existing Structure and Terms of Reference. ITSO Agreement shall continue in effect and that ITSO shall continue to fulfill all its responsibilities and obligations. ITSO should continue to operate in a manner consistent with the Goals and Objectives and Strategic Plan 2020-2022. The Director General shall prepare a new Strategic Plan for consideration at AP-41, consistent with the views expressed at AP-40. It was decided to establish two ad hoc working groups that in collaboration with the ITSO Advisory Committee will report to AP-41 on (1) measures necessary to secure the efficient and proper exchange of information between Intelsat and ITSO and secure appropriate funding arrangements on a going forward basis, and (2) measures necessary to enhance the protection of the Common Heritage.
The Assembly of Parties also decided to extend the Director General term through 17 July 2025 and to initiate the selection process for the new Director General to take office as of July 2025. The selection to take place at the next AP, in 2024. Decided to extend the term of the Frequency Working Party, with the same composition, to the next ordinary Assembly of Parties meeting. The budget for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2023 was approved.
The Assembly of Parties decided to note certain serious concerns that Intelsat’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under U.S. law could prevent ITSO from carrying out its main mission by depriving it of the necessary funds provided for under the PSA
The Assembly of Parties reaffirmed its desire that Intelsat’s ability to use the remaining ITU filings transferred to the United States in 2001 following the restructuring should remain conditioned on Intelsat’s continued performance of the public service obligations.
It was decided to request the U.S. and U.K. Notifying Administrations to endeavor to ensure that Intelsat remains party to a PSA with ITSO, consistent with applicable domestic procedures of the respective Parties.
Decided to note that ITSO may be compelled to go into a “Residual State of Operations” effective September 1, 2020 if Intelsat does not meet its funding obligations to ITSO and urges Intelsat to fulfil its obligations under the PSA.
Decided to request the U.S. and the U.K. Notifying Administrations to approve conditioning the execution of any new PSA with post-bankruptcy Intelsat on the payment of all outstanding obligations accrued by ITSO prior thereto, taking into consideration the national regulations of the Notifying Administrations.
The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) held its 38th Meeting of the Assembly of Parties at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington DC from 13 June to 15 June, 2018. The Assembly of Parties was attended by 89 member states. The Assembly took important decisions on a number of key issues such as the approval of ITSO’s Strategic Plan for the period 2018 to 2020, Intelsat’s adherence to the Core Principles and the ITSO budget for the two fiscal years ending 30 June 2019 and 2020. In preparation for the next ordinary Assembly of Parties in 2020, the Assembly decided to approve a workplan and the associated studies to provide the 2020 ordinary meeting of the Assembly of Parties with the information necessary to decide on the future of the ITSO Agreement. One important item in the agenda of the 38th Assembly of Parties was the selection of members for the Panel of Legal Experts. Pursuant to Article 3(b) of Annex A to the ITSO Agreement. The Assembly also approved an implementation process for the amended Article XII (c) (ii) of the ITSO Agreement.
Decided on key issues such as the extension of the ITSO goals and objectives through the year 2020, the extension of the strategic plan for ITSO to 2018 and the approval of the bi-annual budget for the organization. Elected Mr. Patrick Masambu, a citizen of Uganda, to replace Mr. José Toscano whose mandate will run through July 2017. During the Assembly, the Parties of Nepal and Sri Lanka delivered the final two letters required for the amendment to Article XII (c)(ii) to enter into force, which will happen on the 16th of January 2017.
Decided on key issues including, the extension of the ITSO goals and objectives through the year 2017, the approval of the strategic plan for ITSO for the period 2014-2017 as well as the approval of the ITSO budget for the two fiscal years ending 30 June 2015 and 2016. The Assembly of Parties selected 11 members for the Panel of Legal Experts, pursuant to Article 3(b) of Annex A to the ITSO Agreement. In addition the Assembly of Parties approved a Resolution on the Use of Satellite to Bridge the Digital Divide for submission to the Broadband Commission.
Decided on key issues including the future of the ITSO Agreement, the mandate of the Director General, the extension of the ITSO strategic plan and the approval of the budget, among others. The Assembly of Parties decided to continue the ITSO Agreement until July 18, 2021 and to extend the term of the current Director General until July 18, 2017. In addition, the Assembly of Parties decided to approve the extension of the ITSO goals and objectives for the period 2008-2013 through the year 2014, to extend through 2014 the ITSO strategic plan as well as to approve the ITSO budget for the two fiscal years ending 30 June 2013 and 2014.
Decided on vital issues including the Amendment of the Assembly of Parties Rules of Procedure, the Parties Common Heritage assets, consisting of orbital locations and associated frequency assignments currently used by Intelsat, the General Policy and Long Term Objectives of ITSO including the Strategic Plan of the Organization (2008-2013) and the selection of 11 legal experts to be members of a panel from which presidents and members of tribunals shall be selected in connection with the settlement of disputes submitted pursuant to the ITSO Agreement.
Agreed on a set of procedures to be followed by the two Notifying Administrations, the United Kingdom and the United States, in discharging their obligations of notifying and consulting with the Director General on ITU satellite coordinations involving the Parties Common Heritage orbital locations and associated frequency assignments. Also, the Assembly decided to establish a Frequency Working Party made up of one expert from each of the five ITU regions to assist the Director General on this matter.
Took decisions on a number of key issues including the Parties Common Heritage assets, consisting of orbital locations and associated frequency assignments currently used by Intelsat, and the Goals and Objectives of the Organization for 2008-2013, aiming at universalizing satellite broadband connectivity and the imperative continuity of the provision of international public telecommunications services by Intelsat in a more uncertain financial and economic market. Elected Mr. José Toscano as Director General and CEO for four years, through July 2013. Mr. Toscano, a citizen of Portugal, will replace Mr. Ahmed Toumi whose mandate will run through July 2009.
Approved the amendment of the ITSO Agreement (Article XII, Paragraph (c) (ii)) in order to protect the Parties Common Heritage orbital locations and associated frequency assignments. Under the terms of this amendment, the Parties interests in the Common Heritage would be protected in the event that the current licensed user of these frequency assignments, the Intelsat, Ltd. satellite operator, (i) waives such frequency assignments, (ii) uses such frequency assignments in ways other than those set forth in the ITSO Agreement, or (iii) declares bankruptcy. Specifically, the amendment enables other satellite operator(s), in case of the events cited above, to use these orbital locations once they have signed a public services agreement.
