Frequency spectrum is a finite and limited resource, managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) through its World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) that are held every four years. It is essential that aviation requirements for radio frequency spectrum are strongly supported by all ICAO Member States in all international fora to ensure that the Council approved ICAO Position for WRC for the safety of life services, are duly understood and supported.
The Asia/Pacific regional common position and views for WRC-19 agenda items are coordinated and developed through the regional forum – the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Preparatory Group (APG). The ICAO APAC
Regional Office actively participates in regional spectrum management activities that include the APG meeting and the Regional Interagency Working Group on ICT, to ensure ICAO’s position is disseminated to the regional telecommunication organizations that are involved in the development of regional positions for WRCs, in line with the ICAO Assembly Resolution A38-6 (Support of the ICAO Policy on radio frequency spectrum matters). APANPIRG/27 urged States to consider the national and international requirements for aeronautical services that are identified in Agenda of WRC-19 to develop national positions in line with ICAO’s position, to ensure the availability and protection of aeronautical spectrum.
The next meeting of APT APG (APG19-5) was held in Tokyo, Japan from 31 July to 6 August to finalize the Asia and Pacific Regional common position. The ITU WRC-19 is scheduled for 28 October to 22 November 2019 in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt. ICAO Member States in the APAC Region are urged to make arrangements for their nominated focal points for WRC-19 to be included in the national delegation to support ICAO’s position at the regional forum and at the WRC-19.