Australian Government seeks Australia’s re election to the International Telecommunication Union Council

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, last night reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to seeking re-election to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council at a reception with ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community in Canberra.

Member states, including Australia, will elect ITU Council representatives at the Plenipotentiary Conference, to be held from 26 September 2022 to 14 October 2022 in Bucharest, Romania.

Minister Rowland reiterated at the Canberra reception Australia’s desire to continue working collaboratively with all ITU members to ensure the Union can meet the challenges arising from rapid changes in the global telecommunications landscape, particularly as nations work together to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

If re-elected, Australia will continue to promote an inclusive, open and accountable ITU, where diverse stakeholders can share ideas and work collaboratively to bridge the digital divide.

Australia has a strong history of working collaboratively in the ITU to improve global connectivity and is a top-10 financial contributor to the Union.

As a Council Member, Australia actively helps the ITU to strengthen its governance arrangements, improve opportunities for women and enhance the accountability and transparency of its work.

Australia has been an ITU Council member since 1959, having joined the Union in 1878 (the same year the first commercial telephone service was commissioned in Melbourne). Australia is committed to advancing and supporting activities in each of the three sectors of the Union: the Telecommunication Development, Radiocommunication, and Telecommunication Standardization bureaus.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“As evidenced by our more than 140-year participation in the International Telecommunication Union, we value the role the Union plays in improving connectivity.

“Australia’s re-election will provide the ITU Council a strong perspective on global and regional connectivity issues. We are keen to collaborate with fellow Asia-Pacific member-states to ensure all views and needs are considered by the Union.

“I welcome the opportunity to meet with representatives of the diplomatic community to hear their views and discuss Australia’s bid for re-election.”