Dubai to host global telecom event

Dubai is set to host the 20th edition of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) key event — the Plenipotentiary Conference 2018.

Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from today to November 16, more than 3,000 participants, 130 eminent personalities from more than 193 member states and 800 private sector companies, academic institutions and regional and international bodies are expected to take part.

Held every four years, the event is expected to decide on the future role of the organisation, thereby determining ITU’s ability to influence and affect the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide.

The conference also sets ITU’s financial plan and elects its five top executives, Members of the Radio Regulations Board, Member States for the next ITU Council.

Majid Sultan Al Mesmar, Deputy Director General for Telecommunications Sector at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE, is also the candidate for the chairmanship of the PP-18. Tariq Al Awadi, Executive Director for Spectrum Management at TRA, is Chairman for the Arab group.

Delegates will tackle a number of pressing issues, from strategies to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide, to ways to leverage emerging technologies.