International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Mission
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies. ITU helps governments and the private sector in three core sectors: radiocommunication, standardization and development. ITU also organizes TELECOM events and was the lead organizing agency of the World Summit on the Information Society.
ITU is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its membership includes 193 Member States and more than 700 private-sector entities and academic institutions.
Disaster Reduction Goal
ITU’s goal in disaster reduction is to strengthen emergency communications for disaster prevention and mitigation.
All the elements of ITU’s work are centered on the goal of putting every human being within easy and affordable reach of information and communication and to contribute significantly towards economic and social development of all people. ITU develops the standards used to create infrastructure to deliver telecommunications services on a worldwide basis, manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits to help bring wireless services to every corner of the world, and provides support to countries as they pursue telecommunication development strategies.
As the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for telecommunications/ICTs, ITU is committed to working with other organizations in combating climate change. ITU continues to play a leading role in developing an integrated approach to examining the relationship between ICTs and climate change, focusing on such key issues in the global framework as technology, climate data collection and monitoring, adaptation and mitigation.
1. ITU - National Emergency Telecommunications Plans (NETPs) Initiative
The ITU’s NETPs initiative supports the development and implementation of National Emergency Telecommunications Plans (NETPs), directly contributing to the Sendai Framework by enhancing disaster risk management and response capabilities. The NETPs are comprehensive documents to use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), that emphasize the importance of legal and regulatory frameworks to facilitate technology use and the necessary actions and procedures needed for its implementation, across all phases of the disaster management cycle, extending beyond the ICT sector. Developed through a multi-stakeholder approach, the plans clarify roles and responsibilities of stakeholders participating in its development and stress the need to implement early warning systems to enhance disaster preparedness and response efforts. To date, over 41 countries, including those most vulnerable, have developed NETPs.
2. Inclusion of AI for MHEWS.
The AI Sub-Group of EW4All was established in 2024 to enhance the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in achieving the objectives of the EW4All Initiative. AI plays a critical role across all four EW4All Pillars, from disaster risk knowledge to preparedness and response. The AI sub-group brings together experts in AI, data science, disaster risk management and related fields to develop and pilot AI based tools that enhance early warning systems. The AI sub-group also explores AI use cases and fosters partnerships through matchmaking activities. Through these efforts, the AI Sub-group aims to accelerate AI-driven solutions for global early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.
Policies and Programmes in DRR
One of ITU’s objectives within the purview of the Telecommunication Development Sector is to support the implementation of global, regional and other relevant initiatives and projects. This includes initiatives and projects relating to:
• Underserved areas;
• Indigenous communities and small island developing states;
• Least developed countries;
• Landlocked developing countries;
• Highly indebted poor countries;
• Countries recovering from conflicts;
• Countries and territories under occupation;
• Regions with special needs;
• Conditions that pose severe threats to the environment, such as natural disasters.
These initiatives and projects facilitate the deployment and operation of telecommunication/ICT networks and services with a view to fostering their secure, sustainable and affordable access and use at national, regional and global levels.
ITU assists countries in drafting and adopting appropriate ICT policies, regulations and guidelines that facilitate the use of ICT for disaster risk reduction to include Geographical Information and Remote Sensing Systems, which are critical for disaster preparedness and early warning.
At the global level, ITU promotes and provides assistance to stakeholders in the ratification and implementation of the Tampere Convention on the provision of telecommunication resources for disaster mitigation and relief operations. The treaty provides the legal framework for the use of telecommunications in international humanitarian assistance, reduces regulatory barriers, and protects providers of telecommunication assistance while safeguarding the interests of the host country.
Government Ministries for Telecommunications and Telecommunications Regulatory Agencies
Vanessa Gray
Head of LDCs, SIDS and Emergency Telecommunications Division
Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Email: [email protected]
Tel. +41 22 730 5028
http://www.itu.int
ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau works globally with Governments on the establishment of regulatory frameworks that require operators to include disaster reduction features in their licensing regime.
Assist countries in designing and implementing early warning systems.
Design and develop guidelines, publications and websites that are used to train and raise awareness on disaster risk reduction issues. International, regional and international workshops are also held for these purposes.
Development and implementation of technical cooperation to assist developing countries to use ICTs to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
ITU Study Groups develop technical and spectrum specifications that provide best practices in this area to include: resilient telecommunications installations that allow the installation and deployment of rugged telecom network plants and a Handbook on Outside Plant Installations, prioritization of calls, inter-operability of networks, and harmonization of frequency bands.
The Telecommunication Development Sector has published guidelines and best practice books on disaster management through the use of information and communication technologies. It has also designed and run national, regional, and international training and awareness raising events on enhancing preparedness for effective response. Over 20 partnership agreements were negotiated and signed, resulting in equipment and financial resources being contributed to the ITU’s ongoing effort to contribute to disaster risk reduction.
Radiocommunications Sector, ITU-R, has developed a number of guidelines (known as Recommendations), used to identity appropriate systems for public protection and disaster relief, and requirements for disaster communications related to amateur and amateur-satellite services, including the use of transportable fixed radiocommunications equipment for relief operations.
The Telecommunications Standardization Sector has produced technical standards that provide call preference schemes for the PSTN and for systems based on Internet Protocol. It is also developing message broadcasting specification using IP technologies, and is paying special attention to support of emergency and alert services in Next Generation Networks. ITU-T has approved a telecommunication security architectural framework which is applicable to TDR/EW systems (ITU-T Rec.X.805), and a Supplement on emergency services for third-generation mobile networks. ITU-T has prepared an Action Plan to accelerate the standardization work of the technical groups in support for Telecommunications for Disaster Relief and Early Warning, and has appointed one of the groups to act as focal point for the activities. These are instrumental specifications that will be used as a basis for implementation by manufacturers and telecom network operators of facilities supporting emergency communications.
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Voluntary Commitments
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.
