By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Egypt participated in the
Extraordinary Session of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Council 2026 held on August 25 in Geneva, Switzerland, as member states and key
stakeholders reviewed preparations for the upcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference
(PP-26).
The session brought together
representatives of ITU Council Member States, Observer Member States, regional
telecommunications organisations and the nine Sector Members nominated to
Council-26 (C26).
Discussions focused on
preparations and arrangements for hosting PP-26, which is scheduled to take
place in Doha in November 2026. The Plenipotentiary Conference is the ITU’s
highest decision-making body and provides a platform for member states to determine
the Union’s strategic direction and priorities.
The ITU is the United
Nations’ leading agency for information and communication technology policy,
standardisation and regulation. It brings together 193 member states, ICT
regulators, academic institutions and around 700 private-sector companies,
supported by 12 regional and area offices worldwide.
Egypt has maintained an
active role within the ITU since the organisation’s establishment and has been
a member of the ITU Council since its inception in 1973.
The country is also the only
ITU Member State chairing study groups across the three technical
sectors—ITU-R, ITU-T and ITU-D—as well as the General Secretariat.
Egypt’s continued
participation in the Council and leadership across ITU structures reflects its
longstanding engagement in international telecommunications policy and its
contribution to shaping global ICT standards, regulation and development.
The Extraordinary Council
Session comes as the ITU advances preparations for PP-26, where member states
will address key issues shaping the future of global telecommunications and
digital development.
