2nd Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM23-2)
Opening Plenary Remarks
Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin
27 March 2023
Good morning, everyone.
It's an honor to be here with you today and to address the radiocommunication sector and this CPM for the first time as ITU Secretary-General.
I'm very pleased to be joined by my fellow elected officials.
We have been hard at work rolling out our first 100 days in office plan.
Over the past 3 months I've had the opportunity to travel and meet many different audiences – leaders from government, industry, civil society and other international organizations, and one thing is clear: they all value, and they all count on, digital technologies more and more to address today's complex challenges and opportunities.
And radiocommunications are the center of it all.
The new IPCC report that came out just last week, a report described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as “a survival guide for humanity"[i], had a greater contribution of Earth observation data from satellites than previous reports, providing the physical evidence of our changing climate.
And this is just one example of the vital work you're doing.
Radio-frequency spectrum and associated satellite orbit resources are precious resources, finite resources, that need to be shared equitably, responsibly, while avoiding harmful interference.
You're the guardians of that balance, and what you're doing in the lead-up to WRC-23 is more important than ever.
As digital is rising to the top of the global agenda, today I would like to highlight three specific areas that require our attention.
The first is universal connectivity.
As the global uptake of 5G continues, and we set our sights on IMT-2030 (also known as 6G) and beyond, let's not forget that 2.7 billion people around the world remain offline – the majority of them in the Global South.
Universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation are the two strategic goals identified by our Member States at our last Plenipotentiary Conference just a few months ago – it's the clear mandate they have given ITU and our number one priority.
PP-22 also saw the election of the 12 members of the Radio Regulations Board who aim to make fair and consistent decisions in the interest of all.
PP-22 recognized that connectivity must be secure, reliable, and affordable – and reaffirmed ITU's role in supporting the expansion of ICT infrastructure and services to meet those needs.
The Plenipotentiary recognized how broadband connectivity can facilitate the delivery of a broader range of digital services and applications and highlighted the importance of promoting investment to provide Internet access to users in underserved and unserved areas.
Connectivity to broadband networks is, as you know better than anyone, enabled and supported by many radiocommunication services that you will discuss here at the CPM – from fixed and mobile terrestrial services, to fixed and mobile satellite services.
Which brings me to the second area I want to highlight today: space, which was another important topic raised at PP-22 – space as a driver of sustainable development, and ITU's role in implementing the “Space2030 Agenda".
The Conference considered the expanded launch and operation of large LEO satellite constellations in outer space and limited availability of radio-frequency spectrum and associated orbit resources that must be shared amongst nations.
ITU-R study groups were instructed to examine the long-term sustainability of these resources.
It also instructed the World Radiocommunication Conference to continue to prioritize equitable access to satellite orbits, taking into account the needs of developing countries and the geographical situation of particular countries.
PP-22 brought new and revised resolutions on several important topics related to the radiocommunication sector, and rest assured we will (together) do our best to implement these decisions and deliver services that meet – and hopefully exceed – your expectations.
Finally, my third point, as I mentioned at the beginning, your work in the environmental protection area is crucial.
Satellites and other radiocommunication systems are vital tools for weather monitoring, Earth observation, disaster prediction, detecting deforestation, and tracking the extent and pace of climate change.
They are essential in early warning systems – which should protect everyone on Earth by 2027 – a target set by the UNSG in the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative launched a few months ago at COP27, and where ITU leads the work on dissemination and communication.
As we know that the ICT sector can also contribute to climate change, we must mainstream environmental sustainability throughout our work.
I know that your careful studies and strategic understanding of the future development of key technologies will help put us on the right path towards universal connectivity, space sustainability, and environmental protection.
You have an extensive agenda ahead of you – with no less than 230 contributions, a very competent chair, vice chairs, and a terrific BR secretariat. So let me stop there and wish you a successful meeting.
And I look forward to seeing you all in Dubai in a few months for WRC-23.
Thank you very much.
NOTES
[i]https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/urgent-climate-action-can-secure-liveable-future-all
