By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Space-related issues
featured prominently as African telecommunications stakeholders concluded their
final preparatory meeting for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Eric Fournier, Director of
Spectrum Planning and International Affairs and France’s candidate for Director
of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, said space issues generated significant
debate during the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) meeting, ahead of the
global conference in Doha, Qatar.
Fournier used the meeting to
present his candidacy for the leadership of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
and outline his vision for the challenges facing international regulation in
the coming years.
He also discussed how the
Radiocommunication Bureau could further support African countries, including
efforts to enable greater participation in the development and use of space
technologies.
Space regulation is expected
to be among the key issues discussed at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, as
countries consider the future of international spectrum management and the
growing role of satellite and space-based communications.
During his visit to Abidjan,
Fournier met Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological
Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, as well as Roger Adom, Chairman of the
Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority (ARTCI).
He also held discussions
with officials from the Agence Ivoirienne de Gestion des Fréquences
Radioélectriques, Côte d’Ivoire’s national authority responsible for
radio-frequency management.
Fournier commended Côte
d’Ivoire for its hospitality and thanked outgoing ATU Secretary General John
Omo for his role in ensuring the smooth running of the preparatory meeting. He
also congratulated newly elected ATU Secretary General Eng. Kezias Kazuba Mwale.
