Top ITU governing body to convene for first time in European Union
Agreement signed between UN tech agency and host country Romania for ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) signed an agreement with the Government of Romania for the hosting of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22) in Bucharest. ITU’s supreme governing body is set to convene from 26 September to 14 October 2022 at the Palace of the Parliament in the Romanian capital, marking the return of the conference to Europe after more than three decades.
“I am very pleased that the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 will be held in Romania, marking the return of ITU’s highest-level meeting to Europe for the first time in over 30 years,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of digital technologies and services like never before. Yet challenges remain everywhere. ITU Member States will use PP-22 to set out a roadmap for 2024-2027, at a time when digital transformation is accelerating around the world.”
Vlad Stefan Stoica, President of the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM), who signed the host country agreement on behalf of the Government of Romania, added: “By organising the Plenipotentiary Conference, we are fully committed to bringing together all countries to work closely for the development of global communications and to strengthen the telecommunication sector. I can assure you that we will spare no effort to successfully organise this landmark event, providing the highest standards in terms of resource allocation, the venue and the well-being of all participants, while also conducting this event in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, making it as eco-friendly, sustainable, gender-responsive and inclusive as possible.”
ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference is held every four years, convening representatives of the organization’s 193 Member States to oversee global radio spectrum allocation, the creation of global technical standards for information and communication technology (ICT) networks and services, and efforts to promote digital inclusion in under-served communities. PP-22 is also to set ITU’s general policies, adopt four-year strategic and financial plans, and address key ICT issues as requested by ITU Members.
Furthermore, the conference will elect ITU’s next Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and Directors of the Bureaux of the Radiocommunication Sector, the Telecommunication Standardization Sector, and the Telecommunication Development Sector, along with the members of the Radio Regulations Board. The Plenipotentiary Conference also elects the Member States that constitute the next ITU Council, which acts as ITU’s governing body in the interval between plenipotentiary conferences.
ITU Member States will be invited to officially submit candidatures about one year prior to the conference. Candidatures must reach the ITU Secretary-General not later than 23:59 hours (Geneva time) on the 28th day prior to the Conference, i.e., Monday, 29 August 2022.
After discussion at the 2019 session of the ITU Council, councillors agreed with the proposed location of PP-22 in Bucharest with the dates of 26 September to 14 October 2022 (C19/127). The previous ITU Plenipotentiary Conference was hosted in Dubai in 2018 by the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
ITU’s last Plenipotentiary Conference in Europe was hosted by France in 1989.
About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. For more information, visit www.itu.int.
About ANCOM
The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) is the institution that protects the interests of the communication users in Romania, by promoting competition and innovation in the electronic communications and postal services markets, competition-oriented management of the scarce resources (frequency spectrum, numbering resources and associated technical resources), encouraging efficient investment in infrastructure and fostering ultra-fast connectivity.
