Australia's contribution to the Telecommunications Development Bureau in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dates back to its establishment in the 1980s, under then ITU Secretary-General, Australian Richard Edmund Butler. Since this major milestone, Australia has continued to actively support the ITU’s development goal to bring all people worldwide within easy reach of telecommunications and its benefits.
At the last World Telecommunication Development Conference in 2017, Australia was awarded for its substantial contribution to the development work of the ITU. The award was presented to the Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Dr Tobias Feakin.
Australia's financial contributions to the ITU Development Sector (ITU-D) fund practical and impactful projects in the Asia‑Pacific region.
Australia is committed to continuing its long-standing relationship with the ITU-D and working collaboratively to promote telecommunications for social and economic development.