Clement endorses Rawat in her campaign for ITU-R position

Industry Minister Tony Clement has endorsed Industry Canada Communications Research Centre (CRC) president Veena Rawat’s campaign bid for the position of director of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication bureau (ITU-R). The ITU-R is a United Nations agency that deals with international radiocommunication issues, such as the global sharing of radio spectrum, assigning satellite orbits and establishing standards for radiocommunication systems. In a letter of endorsement dated Feb. 24, Clement said Rawat’s leadership at the CRC “has strengthened its partnerships with government agencies, academia, the private sector and international research organizations” and has also “accelerated its commercialization and technology transfer activities.” Clement also referred to Rawat’s extensive experience. “Through her work, Dr. Rawat has developed a unique understanding of the importance that innovation plays in the global economy and, in particular, of the necessity of sharing best practices and knowledge in support of capacity building,” he said in the letter. “Dr. Rawat also brings a vast experience in the international management of radio frequencies and satellite orbits.” Rawat’s campaign focuses on information and communications technology (ICT), global development, security in the wireless industry, and developing and enabling new wireless and satellite technologies. The Wire Report reported in January that the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) has endorsed Rawat’s candidacy, saying her election to the position would be beneficial to Canada. The election will be held during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference from Oct. 4 to 22 in Veracruz, Mexico. Rawat will be up against potential candidates from Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, Africa, and Asia and Australia. Marius Grinius, Canada’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, has also come out in support of Rawat. “She brings extensive experience and expertise in spectrum engineering at the domestic and international level,” he wrote in a separate letter. “As current chair of the study group responsible for satellite services and having chaired a successful World Radiocommunication Conference in 2003, the Government of Canada is confident that the Member States of the Union would be well served by her election to the position.” So far Rawat has one official competitor, François Rancy of France. Rancy, currently director general of the French National Frequency Agency, has received an endorsement from French Prime Minister François Fillion. kfournier@thewirereport.ca

Clement endorses Rawat in her campaign for ITU-R position

News | 03/16/2010 6:34 pm EDT

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