Australia for ITU Council 2026

ITU campaign 2026 header

Australia for ITU Council 2026

Australia is standing for re-election to the ITU Council at the 2026 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar in November 2026. 

See what re-election to the ITU Council means to Australia below.

Australia has been an active Council Member for over 60 years and we hope to retain this valuable position in 2026. As one of the ITU's top financial contributors, we support governance and communications work and capacity building efforts in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

Australia is also an active member of ITU and APT working groups and workstreams. Our leadership credentials include:

  • Vice-Chair of the APT Management Committee (2025–2026)
  • Working Group Chair for the APT Preparatory Group for the World Telecommunication Development Conference (2024–2025)
  • Vice-Chair of the ITU Council Working Group on Financial and Human Resources (2023–2024)
  • Chair of the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly (2023).

If successful, Australia will continue to work collaboratively with Council members and contribute towards the critical work of the ITU. We place great emphasis on advancing ICT development, increasing digital inclusion and promoting practical financial and human resource management reforms.

Our key focus areas include:

  • building global connectivity, including supporting equitable access to ICTs and telecommunications
  • sharing Australia's unique experience in overcoming the challenges of distance and tough environments to enhance regional connectivity within and among countries
  • supporting an open, constructive ITU Council that is inclusive, accountable and agile.

Supporting an open, constructive ITU Council

Australia has a record of supporting strong ITU governance arrangements, working to promote accountability, transparency and inclusion in the Union. For example, we support open document access policies and a culture of consultation and cooperation.

As one of the top financial contributors to the ITU, we also place a strong focus on efficient financial management. This helps maximise funds available for capacity building activities and improving access to telecommunications in underserviced communities.

Building connectivity

Telecommunications is a powerful tool for development. Australia works closely with the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) to bring all people worldwide within easy reach of telecommunications and its benefits.

Australia's financial contributions to the ITU-D fund practical and impactful projects in the Asia‑Pacific region. In the last 5 years, we have supported Connect2Recover, ITU Smart Villages and Smart Islands initiatives and the development of e-waste frameworks. We have also delivered child online protection awareness, online safety, digital transformation and eGovernment training.

Sharing our unique domestic experience with the world

We are proud of our efforts in Australia to make regional connectivity a priority. For example:

By actively sharing our experiences building telecommunications capability with ITU members, we can help pave the way for better regional communications globally.

Radiocommunications

Satellite dishes in the country.

 

Australia is a significant contributor to global radiocommunications. We have a proud heritage in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). This includes holding chairing roles in several ITU-R study groups and working parties. Australia invented WiFi technology and is also a leader in radio science, with significant local ventures including CSIRO's Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder.

Australia will continue to advocate for international cooperation on radiocommunications that enables regulatory certainty and supports shared use of radio spectrum and satellite orbit resources.

More information

For more information about our candidacy or our work at the ITU, please email itu@communications.gov.au.