The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is governed by the Plenipotentiary Conference and the ITU Council. The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest policy-making body of the ITU, while the ITU Council serves as the Union’s governing body in the interval between plenipotentiary conferences. The Council ensures the smooth execution of ITU’s mission: it reviews policy and strategy issues, approves the budget and operational plans, and reviews financial and staff matters.
The origins of the ITU Council date back to
a landmark conference held in Atlantic City in 1947. This was a time of transformation, as the ITU not only allied itself with the newly-created United Nations but also restructured itself. The Administrative Council was created to provide administrative coordination for the Union and to ensure operational continuity between plenipotentiary conferences.
In 1992, the ITU underwent another significant change. The Administrative Council became the ITU Council, reflecting a broader and more strategic role for the Council beyond administrative matters. The Council's responsibilities were expanded to include facilitating the implementation of ITU's Constitution, Convention, and Administrative Regulations, as well as adapting ITU's activities to the ever-changing telecommunications landscape.
