International
Telecommunication
Union
Key facts
Norm-setting
Process to discuss or agree on digital policy norms
Multistakeholder
Formal role for non-governmental stakeholders
Partly open - there are medium barriers that make it harder for civil society to meaningfully participate
- The ITU is a multilateral and specialised agency of the UN.
- Its role is to set and regulate standards related to telecommunications.
- It comprises 194 Member States and more than 1000 non-government sector members.
- Its work covers three sectors: Radiocommunication (ITU-R); Standardisation (ITU-T); Development (ITU-D).
- ITU-R develops technical input for ITU decisions, producing standards, reports, and handbooks on various policy issues, from spectrum monitoring to radiocommunications for disaster relief.
- ITU-T develops the standards that ensure networks and technologies connect seamlessly and influence global regulations, with regional groups which ensure standards reflect regional needs.
- ITU-D supports digital transformation and works to close the digital divide, prioritising Global Majority countries and marginalised communities. Its Study Groups share strategies and build consensus on ICT priorities.
- Over the past decade, the ITU has taken on a larger role in Internet and digital governance, for example by implementing some of the WSIS Action Lines.
Related events
Status:
Binding
Process with legally binding outcomes
Norm-setting
Process to discuss or agree on digital policy norms
Discussions
Forum to discuss digital policy issues
Deadline
Opportunity to offer written feedback or participate
Type:
Multistakeholder
Formal role for non-governmental stakeholders
Multilateral
Intergovernmental, limited stakeholder participation
Openness level:
N/A or no information about level of openness
Open - there are no or low barriers that make it easy for civil society to meaningfully participate
Partly open - there are medium barriers that make it harder for civil society to meaningfully participate
Not open - there are high barriers that make it very hard or impossible for civil society to meaningfully participate
International Telecommunication Union
Final meeting of the 2026 session of the ITU Council
Doha, QATAR
07
-
07 Nov 2026
07
-
07 Nov 2026
Final meeting of the 2026 session of the ITU Council
ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026
Doha, QATAR
09
-
27 Nov 2026