October 06, 2011

The TRA of Lebanon had expressed its interest in participating as an Observer to the 2011 ITU council back in June 2011 and its candidature was accepted in September 2011 along with two other candidates. The ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau received ten requests from ITU-D Sector Members wishing to participate as Observers to ITU Council 2011, which have been carefully reviewed and, the following ITU-D Sector Members have been nominated:

- Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Lebanon
- African Telecommunications Union, Kenya
- Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG, Germany

The 2011 session of the Council will take place at ITU Headquarters in Geneva from Tuesday 11 October to Friday 21 October 2011 and the TRA will be represented by Dr. Imad Hobbalah, TRA Chairman and CEO and Eng. Mohamad Ayoub, Senior Spectrum Expert.

The role of Council is to consider, in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences, broad telecommunication policy issues to ensure that the Union's activities, policies and strategies fully respond to today's dynamic, rapidly changing telecommunications environment. It also prepares a report on the policy and strategic planning of the ITU. In addition, Council is responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the Union, coordinating work programmes, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditure.

Finally, Council also takes all steps to facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the ITU Constitution, the ITU Convention, the Administrative Regulations (International Telecommunications Regulations and Radio Regulations), the decisions of Plenipotentiary Conferences and, where appropriate, the decisions of other conferences and meetings of the Union.