The Bahamas Celebrates 50 Years of ITU Membership
18th August, 2024
On this day, 18th August 1974, fifty (50) years ago, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas became a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Today, The Bahamas celebrates its Golden Jubilee Anniversary as a Member of the ITU.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established on 17 May 1865 and is the oldest United Nations Agency. The ITU is 80 years older than the United Nations, established 24th October 1945.
The ITU is the pre-eminent intergovernmental United Nations Agency responsible for setting international standards for radiocommunication systems, interconnection of networks, data transport, online security, coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
All 194 Member States of the UN are Members, and over 1,000 companies, universities, research institutes, and international and regional organizations are also Members.
On the10th July 2023, The Bahamas celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence.
On the 10th July 2023, The Bahamas celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary as a Member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
On the 22nd August 2023, The Bahamas celebrated its Golden Jubilee Anniversary as a Member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.
On the 18th September 2023, The Bahamas celebrated its Golden Jubilee as a Member of the United Nations.
On the 17th May 1965, the ITU celebrated its Centenary. Even though The Bahamas was not a Member of the ITU, it Celebrated the Centenary with an “ITU First Day Cover OHMS FDC Postage Envelope.”
Over the last fifty (50) years, The Bahamas has been very active at the ITU, with many of The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo) Engineers, notably Mr. Leander Bethel, Senior Deputy General Manager (deceased), serving on a number of Council Working Groups and Council Study Groups.
Before the establishment of URCA and the Privatization of BTC, BaTelCo served as The Bahamas’ Representative at the ITU.
The Bahamas has hosted several ITU Conferences (5th Green Standards Week, Regional Workshops, Global Symposium for Regulators, and sponsored several Reports like the “Missing Link” and Country Case Study).
Several ITU Secretary Generals have visited The Bahamas. SG Houlin Zhao gave The ITU “Bahamas Declaration 2015.” The Government of The Bahamas is partnering with the ITU.
The Bahamas is presently serving its second consecutive term on the 48 Seat ITU Council, the highest governing body of the ITU, representing The Bahamas, the English Speaking Caribbean & the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).
On the 8th March 2022, H. E. Leon R. Williams presented his Credentials to His Excellency Houlin Zhao, Secretary–General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as The Bahamas’ first Ambassador to the ITU.
The Bahamas ITU Membership includes the Ministry of Economic Affairs, URCA/Focal Point, Office of the Prime Minister, Cable Bahamas Limited ROA, and Service Provider.*
Happy Golden Jubilee Bahamas.