Bucharest, October 04 (QNA) - The State of Qatar won the bid to host the 22nd Plenipotentiary Conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2026, with the unanimity of the member states of the ITU after the voting session that took place Tuesday within the work of the 21st Plenipotentiary Conference held in Bucharest.

Qatar has submitted an official request to host the conference through its participation in the Plenipotentiary Conference, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).

The delegation of the State of Qatar is headed by HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai and includes officials in the Ministry and the CRA.

The Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest policy-making body of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Held every four years, it is the key event at which ITU Member States decide on the future role of the organization, thereby determining the organizations ability to influence and affect the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide.

In his speech during the voting session, HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai said that the Plenipotentiary Conference is the highest decision-making body of the ITU, where member states can define the ITU roadmap for the next four years in all aspects of communication, inclusion, and digital aspects.

His Excellency pointed out that over the past four years, the State of Qatar has built an advanced information and communication technology infrastructure that complies with international standards, making it one of the world's leading players in the digital field.

His Excellency stressed that Qatar's distinguished measures in promoting a better future for humanity are well known and that Qatar's international efforts have always been for the sake of good. Through the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), the State of Qatar is keen to deliver its aid to the seven continents of the world, for example, donating $10 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 to support the finding of testing equipment, treatment, and vaccine for COVID-19, in addition to its $20 million contribution to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

Other examples of Qatar's tireless pursuit to serve all humanity include evacuating Afghan refugees to settle safely in host countries, educating more than 20 million children around the world, and supporting women.

The latest exerted effort in this regard was the "Women in Conflict Zones" initiative launched by the QFFD Sept 2022. The State of Qatar has always been keen to extend a helping hand to developing countries - in particular - to enable them to live a decent life.