The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), which brings governments together for negotiations on radio-frequency spectrum allotment, began recently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The conference, organised every three to four years by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will review and update the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of spectrum and geostationary and non-geostationary satellite orbits.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the WRC-23 opening ceremony.
For the opening, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the World Radiocommunication Conference “is a testament to the power of international cooperation in tackling global challenges.”
Guterres added in the message delivered on his behalf, “Radio frequencies, whether on Earth or in space, form the backbone of advanced communications for all of humanity. From education to healthcare, agriculture to climate monitoring, expanding radiocommunication services and bridging the digital divide is key to reducing inequalities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Much of the technology in everyday life uses radio-frequency spectrum allocated by ITU’s world radiocommunication conferences. Ensuring that the Radio Regulations reflect the changing demand for spectrum use is critical for efficiently operating existing and future radiocommunication services and equipment.
