Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia was chosen to be a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2023-2026 period for Region E according to the conference held in Bucharest, Romania, on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate expects Indonesia to continue to provide significant contribution to the world through this ITU Council membership to realize connected global citizens.

Election of the ITU Council member was held during ITU's 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-22).

Indonesia ranked third as the country with the highest vote in Region E, Asia, and Australasia, with 157 votes from the total 180 valid votes.

After being chosen as member of the ITU Council, Indonesia is committed to encouraging the formulation of policies in the digital sector, with focus on three main issues: capacity improvement, women's empowerment, and connectivity.

The commitment offers by Indonesia aligns with the strategic goal from ITU's 2030 Connect agenda of universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.

This commitment has and will continue to be shown within the national digital transformation agenda, Plate noted.

This involves digital infrastructure development across the country; digital human resources training; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and digital startups training; and Indonesia's commitment in the G20 Digital Economy Working Group forum, he stated.

During the PP-22, Indonesia also nominates Meiditomo Sutyarjoko as member of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) for Region E. However, Indonesia has not succeeded, earning 116 votes.

Indonesia's membership in the ITU Council for the 2023-2026 period continues the country's involvement in the organization that has existed since 1982.

The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest decision-making body in the ITU.

The conference is participated by 193 member countries to reach an agreement on the strategic and financial plan, leadership, and ITU's course for the next four years.

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Translator: Natisha A, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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