Australia

Distinguished colleagues. It is an honour to be here at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest.

I thank our Romanian hosts for showing us such warm hospitality.

We know that telecommunications and information and communication technologies can be incredibly empowering — supporting economic prosperity, wellbeing, health, education and social inclusion.

Yet in recent times, our world has faced some of the most unprecedented and significant global challenges and disruptions in living memory.

We commend the ITU’s work in response to COVID 19.

We also commend the ITU’s work to support the recovery of telecoms infrastructure in Ukraine. Australia is steadfast in our support for Ukraine.

We firmly believe the ITU’s digital development objectives should prioritise providing those who remain unconnected with accessible, affordable and resilient connectivity. 

Now is the time for action.

Australia is proud of its longstanding involvement and heritage with the ITU, working in partnership to deliver practical digital capacity-building and development projects, particularly in the Asia‑Pacific region.

These projects make a real difference.

Australia’s development projects address issues such as development of emergency communications response plans, strengthening digital skills and cybersecurity capabilities, safe use of online services, and affordable access to ICTs.

We are particularly proud to support the ITU’s Smart Island and Smart Village Initiatives in the Pacific, activities that will improve access to key digital services, such as health and education.

And we are acutely aware of the importance of ITU’s presence in the Pacific region.

Reflecting on Australia’s own situation, ours is a vast country with many remote and isolated communities.

Our reality means the challenge to connect the unconnected, in particular our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, is front-of-mind for government.

By sharing our experience building telecommunications capability with the international community, we can help pave the way for better communications for regional, rural and remote populations globally.

Australia has a strong record, too, of supporting good governance in the ITU.

We will continue to promote accountability, transparency and inclusion in the work of the Union.

We are also committed to bridging the gender digital divide, amplifying the voices of women in ICT decision making processes and ensuring that everyone can take advantage of the benefits of the digital transformation.

As a top ten financial contributor to the ITU, we place strong emphasis on efficient financial management and administrative processes across Union activities.

Accountable, efficient use of resources assists to maximise funds available for capacity building activities and improving access to telecommunications.

Australia is committed to continuing its long-standing relationship with the ITU, and to working together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, towards achieving universal meaningful connectivity.

I hope we can count on your support to be re-elected to the ITU Council.

Thank you.