About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a United Nations specialised agency bringing together governments and industry to develop efficient and affordable global telecommunication networks and services. It focuses on standardisation, radio spectrum management and the development of and access to information communication technology.
The ITU Council is made up of 48 member states, across 5 regions:
| Region A (Americas) | 35 Member States, 9 seats |
| Region B (Western Europe) | 33 Member States, 8 seats |
| Region C (Eastern Europe and Northern Asia) | 21 Member States, 5 seats |
| Region D (Africa) | 54 Member States, 13 seats |
| Region E (Asia and Australasia) (our region) | 50 Member States, 13 seats |
Our department leads Australia's engagement at ITU and at the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), including efforts to develop policies and regulatory approaches that build open and competitive telecommunications markets.
APT is an important platform for consolidating regional voices in preparation for major ITU conferences, including the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, World Telecommunication Development Conference, and Plenipotentiary Conference.
Our work at ITU
Australia is proud of our long history in ITU, serving as a Council member since 1959. We work constructively to get the best outcomes for our region and the broader ITU.
As Council members in the 2023 to 2026 term, we are continuing our hard work to connect the unconnected, and support an inclusive, accountable and agile ITU. We are standing for re-election to the ITU Council at the 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) and you can find out more about our candidacy on the Australia for ITU Council 2026 page.