India proposes to host ITU Plenipotentiary Conference-2030

• The annual meeting of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, the governing body of the UN specialised agency of telecommunications, was held in Geneva from April 28 to May 8.

• An Indian delegation led by Mukesh Kumar, Deputy Director General (International Relations), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), participated in the ITU Council.

• India presented the proposal for hosting the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-2030). 

• India’s proposal is likely to be approved at ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 to be held in Doha this November.

International Telecommunication Union

• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.

• ITU was founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union.

• It took its present name in 1932, and in 1947 became a specialised agency of the United Nations.

• ITU is the oldest agency in the UN family, connecting the world since the dawn of telegraph in 1865.

• The headquarters is situated in Geneva, Switzerland.

• 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.

• ITU’s global membership includes 193 Member States as well as some 1,000 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations. 

ITU Plenipotentiary Conference

• The ITU is governed by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the ITU Council.

• The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest policy-making body of the ITU. 

• Held every four years, it determines the future direction of the Union and its activities.

• The Council, composed of 48 ITU Member States, acts as the Union’s governing body in the interval between plenipotentiary conferences.

• Meeting once a year, it ensures that the Union’s activities, policies and strategies fully respond to the rapidly evolving telecommunications environment. 

• It prepares a report on the policy and strategic planning of the ITU, and is responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the Union, coordinating work programmes, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditure.

• The Council works to facilitate the implementation of provisions and decisions of the ITU Constitution, the ITU Convention, the Administrative Regulations (International Telecommunications Regulations and Radio Regulations), Plenipotentiary Conferences and, where appropriate, other conferences and meetings of the Union.

• The Member States of the Council are elected by the Plenipotentiary Conference, ensuring an equitable distribution of Council seats among all the regions of the world.