Egypt has won the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council Membership (2023-2026) for Region D (Africa), after being re-elected for the ITU Council membership during the elections held at ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22). PP-22 was held in Bucharest, Romania, from September 26 to October 14, where representatives from 180+ countries participated.
 
ITU Council is empowered to review and issue decisions on the activities and operational plans of various sectors of the ITU and General Secretariat during the quadrennial Plenipotentiary Conferences. The Council facilitates the implementation of the provisions of the ITU Constitution, the ITU Convention, the Administrative Regulations (International Telecommunications Regulations and Radio Regulations), and other PP decisions.
 
An Egyptian high-level delegation headed by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat participated in the ITU PP-22 in Romania,over two days. The ICT Minister held several meetings with ministers and senior officials participating in the Conference to discuss the most significant developments in international communications. He also discussed enhancing cooperation, supporting Egypt’s nomination in the elections held for the ITU Council, Region D membership, and nominating the Egyptian candidate for the ITU Radio Regulations Board (RRB), within the framework of enhancing Egypt’s position and international leadership in ICT.
 
The ICT Minister delivered a speech during the Policy Statements session, as part of PP-22. He reviewed the most significant plans and programs implemented in Egypt, which meet ITU Guidelines. He commented that Egypt is a member of the ITU Council since 1973, along with its ITU membership since 1876.
 
During the coming period of the ITU Council from 2023 to 2026, Egypt is seeking to effectively participate in ITU work and activities, aiming at serving the international ICT sector as well as adopting the views and issues of Africa within the ITU. The ICT Minister pointed out that Egypt’s winning reflects the international community’s confidence in Egypt’s leading role and effective contribution to the ITU activities.
 
The Egyptian candidate of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) El-Sayed Azzouz won ITU RRB membership as a representative of Africa. RRB consists of 12 seats elected at PP. Region D is represented by three representatives and meets four times annually in Geneva.
 
RRB is responsible for approving the procedural rules used by ITU Radiocommunication Bureau in applying Radio Regulations provisions and registering frequency allocations made by the Member States.
 
It is worth noting that the 2023-2026 elections were very competitive. From Africa, 17 countries ran for 13 seats in the 48-seat ITU Council.
 
The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest policy-making body of the ITU. Held every four years, ITU PP is the key event at which ITU Member States decide on the future role of the organization, thereby determining the organization’s ability to influence and affect the development of ICTs worldwide.
 
The Conference adopts four-year strategic and financial plans; and elects the senior management team of the organization (the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the directors of ITU sectors’ offices), the Member States of the Council, and RRB members.