Over
five days, more than 350 delegates from over 25 countries across the
Asia-Pacific will discuss regional views on proposals to change global spectrum
and satellite regulations, according to a press
release by the Australian Department of Communications and the Arts.
These
Asia-Pacific leaders are gathering in Perth as the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity
(APT) Preparatory Group for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2019
(WRC-19) and will discuss spectrum and satellite issues.
The
event is the third of five meetings of the group and allows participating
nations to reach strong consensus in the lead up to next year’s WRC-19.
The
Australian Government hosted the meeting, represented by the Department of
Communications and the Arts in partnership with the Australian Communications
and Media Authority.
The
Secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Mike Mrdak AO,
delivered the inaugural address.
“The
Australian Government is proud to be hosting the third meeting of the APT. We
are honoured that Australia has again been trusted with such an important event
in the Asia-Pacific radiocommunications calendar,” Secretary Mike Mrdak AO
said.
The
meeting marks the third time Australia has hosted the APT Preparatory Group for
WRC, which is an important forum to ensure the Asia-Pacific is well represented
in global radiocommunications forums.
Since
1996, the APT Conference Preparatory Group
for WRC (APG) aims to harmonise views and develop common proposals from the
Asia-Pacific region for the WRC. It organises coordinated regional activities in
order to ensure that the interests of its members on radiocommunication issues
are properly represented.
The
activities include but are not limited to: develop APT Common Proposals (ACPs)
for WRCs and on matters related to International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Radiocommunication Assemblies (RAs); develop APT contributions to ITU-R
Conference Preparatory Meetings (CPMs); and assist APT Member countries,
especially developing countries, in their preparations for WRCs, RAs and CPMs.
WRCs
are held every three to four years, to review and/or revise the Radio Regulations, the
international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the
geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Revisions are
made on the basis of an agenda determined by the ITU Council, which takes into account
recommendations made by previous world radiocommunication conferences.
It
was also announced
yesterday that Australia will stand for
re-election to the ITU Council later this year. The announcement was made
jointly by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon Julie Bishop MP
and Minister for Communications Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield.
As a specialised agency of the United
Nations, the ITU makes important decisions on the global communications
networks by bringing together governments and industry to ensure efficient and
affordable global telecommunication networks and services.
Since 1959, Australia has been an active
member of the Council and play a pivotal role in the ITU’s support for
communications in the region, especially in addressing cyber security
challenges.
According to the press release, Australia
will continue to support the ITU’s efforts to promote open, accessible and
inclusive global communications.
“As a Council member we promote a
collaborative approach to the ITU’s activities and work to improve its
efficiency and effectiveness. This supports Australia’s vital commercial and
strategic interest in reliable, affordable and seamlessly interconnected global
communications,” the joint press release writes.
The Departments of Communications and the
Arts, Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Communications and Media
Authority will work together to campaign for Australia’s re-election.
Feature image: Richard Bartz/ CC BY-SA
2.5
