International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations arm in charge of global communications, is preparing for the development of next generation of technology, the 6G, by 2030.

ITU, of which Nigeria is a member, rose from its Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) concluded at the weekend in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and charted a future direction in radiocommunication systems across member countries.

The Assembly adopted a resolution that will guide the development of standards and radio interface technologies for the 6G of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) systems.

Among other outcomes, RA-23 also adopted a resolution on gender equality to strengthen, accelerate and widen active involvement of women in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R).

ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “The work of the Radiocommunication Assembly helps us shape how we live together in our interconnected world. The outcomes of this meeting ensure a promising future for ITU’s Radiocommunication Sector and, through the groundbreaking resolution on gender equality, for women in the radiocommunications field.”

“The Assembly agreed on “IMT-2030″ as the technical reference for the 6G of International Mobile Telecommunications; revision of ITU-R Resolution 65, paving the way for studies on the compatibility of current regulations with potential 6G IMT radio interface technologies for 2030 and beyond.

There was also the adoption of the new Recommendation ITU-R M. 2160 on the “IMT-2030 Framework,” setting the basis for the development of IMT-2030. The next phase will be the definition of relevant requirements and evaluation criteria for potential radio interface technologies (RIT) and adoption of a new resolution on the use of IMT technologies for fixed wireless broadband.

Meanwhile, as regards promoting gender equality, adoption of gender resolution was called for by the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference’s ‘Declaration on Promoting Gender Equality, Equity and Parity in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector’.

The resolution calls on the ITU Radiocommunication Sector to strengthen and accelerate all efforts to ensure that its policies, work programmes, information dissemination activities, publications, study groups, seminars, courses, assemblies and conferences reflect the commitment to gender equality and empowerment of women.

With Australia’s Carol Wilson serving as the first woman to chair an ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, the resolution further calls on ITU Member States to support the inclusion of women in all aspects and levels of ITU R activities and undertake a variety of specific actions to promote and increase the interest of, and opportunities for, women and girls in STEM fields, particularly in electrical engineering and computer science.