The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) concluded on November 17 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a focus on charting future directions in radiocommunication systems.
RA-23 adopted a resolution that will guide the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the 6th generation of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems. Among other outcomes, RA-23 also adopted a resolution on gender equality to strengthen, accelerate and widen the active involvement of women working in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).
“The work of the Radiocommunication Assembly helps us shape how we live together in our interconnected world," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The outcomes of this meeting ensure a promising future for ITU's Radiocommunication Sector and, through the groundbreaking gender equality resolution, for women in the radiocommunications field."
Key points discussed during the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-23) included the endorsement of 'IMT-2030' as the technical standard for the 6th generation of International Mobile Telecommunications. Additionally, there was approval for the new Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160, outlining the ‘IMT-2030’ framework and laying the groundwork for ‘IMT-2030’ development. The assembly also adopted resolutions covering the use of IMT technologies for fixed wireless broadband, space sustainability benefiting the satellite industry, and the establishment of a new ‘ITU-R Recommendation’, safeguarding the radio navigation-satellite service and amateur satellite services.
"This Radiocommunication Assembly has achieved significant accomplishments, and the outcomes will establish the framework for the activities of the ITU Radiocommunication Study Groups in the upcoming four-year study period," said Mario Maniewicz, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau. "We have set the stage for the development of new technologies with the potential to deliver better capacity and coverage everywhere, bridging the digital divide, as well as providing possible solutions to the challenges and impacts they will have on our lives."
Promoting Gender Equality
The resolution calls on the ITU Radiocommunication Sector to strengthen and accelerate all efforts to ensure that its policies, work programmes, information dissemination activities, publications, study groups, seminars, courses, assemblies and conferences reflect the commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
With Australia's Carol Wilson serving as the first woman to chair an ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, the resolution further calls on ITU Member States to support the inclusion of women in all aspects and levels of ITU‑R activities and to undertake a variety of specific actions to promote and increase the interest of, and opportunities for, women and girls in STEM fields, particularly in electrical engineering and computer science.
RA-23 and WRC-23
Over 1,300 delegates from 128 ITU Member States attended RA-23, which meets every four years to set the future work programmes for the ITU Radiocommunication Sector and approve radiocommunication standards (ITU-R Recommendations) and resolutions.
Following the assembly, the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) commences in Dubai from November 20 through December 15, 2023.
