Focus: GS II: International Relations
Why in News?
Prime Minister will inaugurate the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre at a programme in Delhis Vigyan Bhawan.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- Specialized agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies.
- Coordinates between governments and private sector bodies for global telecommunication and ICT services.
- Established in 1865 as International Telegraph Union.
- Became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1947.
- Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Membership: ITU has a membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions.
Functions of International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
- Allocation of global radio spectrum and satellite orbits.
- Coordination and setting of technical standards related to telecommunication/ICT.
- Striving to improve access to ICTs in underserved communities worldwide.
India’s association with ITU:
- India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869.
- India has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952.
ITU Area office and Innovation Centre:
- India has fully funded the ITU Area Office, which is located on the second floor of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) building in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
- The office will serve countries in the region including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, and Iran.
- The office aims to improve coordination among nations in the region and foster mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
