Introduction
The ITU-T Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa was created in 2009 in accordance with WTSA Resolution 54 (Regional groups of study groups of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector), Resolution 72 (Measurement and assessment concerns related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields), Resolution 73 (Information and communication technologies, environment, climate change, circular economy and Resolution 79 (The role of telecommunications / information and communication technology in handling and controlling e-waste from telecommunication and information technology equipment and methods of treating it). The topics under SG5 cover the following: electromagnetic environment, human exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF), e-waste and circular economy, achieving energy efficiency, smart energy and utilizing ICTs for climate change;
The terms of reference were revised in May 2023.
Objectives
The objectives of the ITU-T Study Group 5 Regional Group for Africa include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting research and making contributions on the topics under SG5 mandate;
- Disseminating information on the studies conducted and the topics under SG5;
- Encouraging participation of the African countries in the SG5 events;
- Establishing a platform to attend to the needs of African countries on the issues covered by the SG5 mandate
- Consolidating positions of the African countries on the topics within the mandate of SG5;
- Looking into possible environmental concerns and/or effects of new and emerging technologies in the Africa region e.g., 5G, Low Earth Orbiting satellites (LEOs), and proposing possible mitigation measures.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference are in cognizance with the key focus areas and the work structure of the ITU-T SG5 as well as international and regional commitments, which include:
- The Paris Agreement (November 2016) on keeping global temperature rise below 2◦C in all countries;
- Connect 2030 Agenda for Global Telecommunication/information and communication technology, including broadband, for sustainable development.
- Resolution 200 (Rev. Bucharest, 2022) which was reaffirmed at the ITU 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22).
- Studying human exposure to electromagnetic fields and EMC aspects, keeping in view the development of 5G and small cell networks.
Accordingly, this Regional Group will:
- Encourage the participation of the African countries, regulators and operators in the work of SG5 in order to establish a link to attend to their needs as well as contribute to the development of new or revised ITU-T Recommendations, Supplements and Technical Reports on the issues covered under SG5 mandate;
- Boost discussions on current issues, challenges as well as priorities in the African continent in line with SG5 mandate;
- Enhance the development of contributions from the African continent in cognizance with the international and regional commitments in line with the SG5 mandate;
- Disseminate relevant and timely information provided by ITU-T on various Recommendations;
- Share the best practices on human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) aspects, keeping in view the development of 5G, small cell networks and Low Earth Orbiting satellites (LEOs);
- Encourage the implementation of ITU-T K-series and L-series Recommendations developed by ITU-T SG5 in the region;
- Provide adequate follow up through the focal points identified on the various activities launched by ITU;
- Collaborate with the African Telecommunication Union (ATU);
- Foster debate and examine the major challenges linked to EMF, environment, sustainable digitalization, climate action, e-waste and circular economy faced by African member states, operators, manufacturers, regulators and academia within the region;
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to contribute to international agreement and instruments including the Connect 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation;
- Support any initiative leading to the Regional Group’s evolution;
- Act as a liaison body between member states, operators, manufacturers, regulators and academia in matters under the SG5 mandate.
Working methods
Most of the work should be done with electronic tools, for example the available Web Conferencing Tools.
- TSB secretariat will provide necessary support to the regular meeting of this Regional Group in accordance with available budgetary resources.
- The regional group will be encouraged to hold physical meetings. The regional group is also encouraged to use remote collaboration tools and co-locate with existing meetings to the maximum extent.
- The regional group progress reports are to be provided to the parent study group meeting.
SG5RG-AFR Mailing List
To subscribe to the sg5rgafr mailing list, an ITU user account with TIES access is required. Users with TIES access can subscribe directly. Others, please send your request to tsbsg5@itu.int.
[1] Countries include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
