IYCC Conference call(4)
2000/1/3 21:00
Conference Call Between
Y2K National Coordinators
Time: 20:00 3 January 2000
Venue: Operation Room, B1F
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Y2K coordinators from the IYCC, Japan, Korea, Bulgaria. The Netherlands, Morocco, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, the European Commission, the energy sector, the World Bank and the United Nations were present on the conference call.
Participants congratulated each other on the fact that their mutual efforts had proved successful. Mr. McConnell asked if anyone had reports concerning serious Y2K problems, to which there was a deafening silence.
Responding to questions about financial markets and if any problems had occurred after the return to work, National Y2K Coordinator Kaoru Ishikawa noted that Japan does not return to work until 4 January. Bulgaria was in a similar situation, but expected no problems upon the return to work on 4 January.
The Netherlands reported that the return to work had begun in that country and there were no problems. Morocco also noted that reports were yet to be received of any serious problems in the financial sector and that business was proceeding as usual. Business as usual was reported from the United Kingdom. Chile had nothing to report, but the working day had not yet begun. This was also the case in the United States, where the working day had not yet begun, but no problems were expected. The Y2K coordinator from the United States noted that there had been reports of minor Y2K-related problems, but nothing significant and all glitches were under control. The Y2K coordinator from Mexico had nothing to report, and the European Commission noted that the only reports received were to confirm that everything is working well. The participant representing the energy sector, reported that no problems had occurred that were directly connected to Y2K.
Mr. McConnell noted that viruses had not increased as a result of Y2K. He went on to report to conference call participants that reports had now been received from 130 countries, and an update from 21 countries since the opening of the business day.
It was pointed out that the most difficult question from the world's press is whether Y2K was worth all the fuss and the extensive preparations that had been involved. Mr. McConnell emphasized the need to highlight the successful nature of this issue on a global cooperative scale and that resources have been well spent. The United States coordinator noted that some information is being collected to provide scenarios had the work not been done to prepare for Y2K and the conclusion is that the Y2K international cooperative has been very worthwhile. It was noted that the media created much of the furore in the first place. Mr. Ishikawa noted his agreement that the operation had been a success as a result of international solidarity and unprecedented cooperation, and suggested that such phrases were useful ones to provide to the press.
The participant from Mexico expressed his appreciation to the IYCC, participating coordinators and the leading role taken by the United States and other countries, such as Japan and the United Kingdom. The participant from Bulgaria noted that Y2K was the first challenge for information technologies and the work that has been done will provide a sound base for the future.
The European Commission participant reported that a question from the press asked what was going to be done next, and asked what a good response to this question might be. In response, all countries and organizations elucidated their monitoring plans for the next few days and into the future:
Japan - Monitoring will continue on a 24-hour basis until the return to work on 4 January has been confirmed as having taken place without incident.
Korea - 24 hour monitoring will continue until 4 January.
Bulgaria - 24 hour monitoring will continue until the first working day on 4 January, after which 24 hour monitoring will be re-implemented on critical days, such as 29 February.
The Netherlands - Monitoring is now taking place in normal working hours after the successful return to work, and monitoring will continue until the end of January.
Morocco - There is now a concentration on small and medium enterprises, in case anything happens among this sector, which could be less well prepared.
United Kingdom - The Y2K center will be maintained until the end of January.
Chile - Requested that a final report be made to the United Nations and a declaration made on the conclusion to the Y2K process, stating that this has taken place in a controlled and cooperative manner.
United States - Monitoring is in its last 24-hour cycle. If things go well upon the return to work, a reduced staff will be introduced on overnight monitoring, with no night shift from then on. After 7 January a core staff will be maintained until the end of the month, to continue gathering information. Twenty-four hour operations will be maintained for a three day period in February.
Energy sector - Operations have been scaled down already, but monitoring will continue for a few more days. The energy sector representative supported the notion of a declaration, but urged that such a declaration be made after a suitable interval. Taking the case of Japan, it was noted that a few incidents that may or may not be Y2K-related are still under investigation, and no declaration should be made until these are concluded.
Mr. McConnell suggested another meeting at the same time tomorrow to report on business activities in Japan and Korea and other countries that will return to work on 4 January. Mr. McConnell offered to circulate a draft declaration on the conclusion of Y2K operations, but noted that this should not be concluded until a certain time period has elapsed and that all minor issue have been finalized.
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