Purpose, duties and responsibilities of ITU

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies (ICT). It was founded in Paris on 17 May 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, became a UN agency in 1947, and has its headquarters in Geneva. Its members are about 193 member states plus several hundred sector members (operators, manufacturers), associates and academia.

Purpose of ITU

1. Maintain and extend international cooperation among member states for the improvement and rational use of telecommunications/ICT of all kinds.
2. Promote and offer technical assistance to developing countries.
3. Promote development of technical facilities and their efficient operation, so services are more useful and widely available.
4. Promote the extension of new telecom technologies to all the world's people.
5. Harmonise the actions of member states and promote cooperation between members and sector members.
6. Promote the use of telecommunication services for peace and safety of life, and a broader approach to telecom issues in the global information economy.

Structure

           Plenipotentiary Conference
                     |
               ITU Council
                     |
           General Secretariat
       +-------------+-------------+
    ITU-R          ITU-T         ITU-D
 (radio comm.) (standardization) (development)

Main activities, duties and responsibilities

1. Radio spectrum and orbits (ITU-R): allocate radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit positions worldwide; maintain the Radio Regulations; register frequency assignments to avoid harmful interference.
2. Standardization (ITU-T): develop international standards called Recommendations (e.g. G.711 PCM, E.164 numbering, H.323, G.992 ADSL) so networks of different countries work together.
3. Development (ITU-D): help developing and least developed countries build ICT infrastructure, policy, regulation and capacity; reduce the digital divide.
4. International numbering: assign country codes and manage E.164 numbering resources.
5. Tariff and accounting principles: set principles for international accounting rates and settlements between operators.
6. Emergency and safety: promote telecommunication for disaster relief and safety of life.
7. Conferences and events: organise World Radiocommunication Conferences, World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies, and World Telecommunication Development Conferences.
8. Information and statistics: publish ICT indicators and reports (e.g. Measuring Digital Development).
9. Cybersecurity and accessibility: promote confidence and security in ICT use and accessibility for persons with disabilities.