Doha, November 09 (QNA) - The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) opened in Doha on Monday under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

The conference, organized by the ITU and hosted by Qatar through the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), will run through Nov. 27 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), broadly bringing together ministers, officials, representatives of member states, international organizations and the technology sector.

In his opening remarks, HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai said the State of Qatar's hosting of the conference embodies its commitment to deepening international cooperation and contributing to charting the future of the telecommunications and information technology sector, while expanding opportunities to ensure inclusive and enduring digital connectivity for all.

HE Al Mannai noted that the participating ministers had held a meeting on the eve of the conference's opening, during which they launched the Doha Ministerial Declaration, which materializes a shared message that digital connectivity should provide genuine opportunities for everyone and help build a more inclusive and enduring digital future.

The ITU has brought the world's countries together for more than a century and a half around a common goal of strengthening communication and cross-border cooperation, HE the Minister said, emphasizing that the current conference continues this mission at a time when digital technology has become an integral part of virtually every aspect of daily life.

  The Minister pointed out that the decisions emerging from the conference would not be confined to meeting rooms but would extend to squarely affect the lives of individuals and communities, including students who remain beyond the reach of networks, communities that still lack telecommunications services, and entrepreneurs awaiting opportunities to access the Internet, stressing that expanding connectivity represents a responsibility and a commitment to all these people.

HE Al Mannai continued that the State of Qatar's hosting of the conference alongside MWC26 Doha offers an incredible opportunity to bring together government ambitions and industrial creativity, while strengthening dialogue and partnerships between policymakers and technology leaders, thereby contributing to shaping the contours of the digital future.

Considerably more work remains to be accomplished, given that more than two billion people worldwide are still unconnected to the Internet, in addition to the substantial numbers of users who are not yet able to fully benefit from its potential and advantages, HE the Minister clarified.

He maintained that the shared goal is to bridge the digital divide and ensure that connectivity delivers concrete and meaningful benefits to people everywhere, noting that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence-powered technologies poses new challenges that require collective action.

HE Al Mannai highlighted that failure to guarantee equitable access to computing capabilities, data and the necessary skills could give rise to a new digital divide, adding to existing disparities. This, he noted, calls for stronger international cooperation to ensure that opportunities to benefit from these technologies are distributed fairly and inclusively.

  He likewise noted that digital infrastructure has now become a foremost imperative for every individual, as essential services, economies, education and health care all depend on it, asserting that building secure, resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure is a shared responsibility that cannot be postponed.

HE Al Mannai hoped that the conference's deliberations and decisions would help strengthen international cooperation and build a more interconnected digital future that provides broader opportunities for everyone.

  Overall, the event includes several principal milestones, foremost among them elections to fill the organization's top leadership positions, scheduled to begin on Nov. 12. Member states will elect the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and directors of the Radiocommunication Bureau, the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and the Telecommunication Development Bureau.

  Following the election of the senior leadership, the conference will vote to elect the 12 members of the ITU's Radio Regulations Board, which is responsible for applying and interpreting the radio regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum.

  The conference will also elect 48 countries to serve on the ITU Council, which is responsible for managing the organization and overseeing its work between plenipotentiary conferences.

  Following the completion of the electoral process, delegates will discuss and adopt the ITU's strategic and financial plans for the 2028–2031 period, in addition to setting the organization's principal public policy directions and objectives for the next phase.

  The opening ceremony featured a presentation on pearl of connectivity, which traced the evolution of communication in the State of Qatar across generations, recalling the history of the pearl trade, which connected the nation’s coastal communities with global trade routes, through to the era of digital communications and modern technologies.

  The presentation embodied the enduring spirit of connectivity, openness and knowledge exchange, despite changes in the means and tools used to achieve them.

  The congress also features an extensive ministerial program, including high-profile discussions on resilience and emerging technologies, providing a platform for top-rung leaders to share perspectives, showcase national achievements and address shared challenges.

  The conference also continues to support the meaningful participation of women and young people through dedicated activities designed to promote inclusion and accessibility as part of the digital transformation agenda. (QNA)