Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), will participate in the Regional Development Forum (RDF) for Arab States, organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on March 19, in Beirut, Lebanon.

The RDF serves as a regional coordination meeting for ITU members to review its 2019 operational plan, in addition to the strategic and future directions of the implementation of ITU regional operational plan 2019-2022 including, the proposed programs and activities for the implementation of the Arab Regional Initiatives (RIs). Moreover, it provides an opportunity for high-level dialogue between the ITU membership and stakeholders from the Arab region to synergize efforts, seek new partnerships, and agree on priority areas for the coming period.

This year’s RDF is organized as part of the activities of the Arab High-level Forum (AHLF) on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 19-21 March in Beirut, Lebanon. AHLF is organized and hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in collaboration with the ITU Arab Regional Office. The purpose of AHLF is to promote the implementation of the WSIS and the SDGs in the Arab region.

ITU is the United Nations (UN) specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs). Founded in 1865, it facilitates international connectivity in communications networks, allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strives to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.