China to host ITU’s 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference in Shanghai

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has confirmed that Shanghai, China, will host the next Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-27) and World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) from 11 October to 12 November 2027. The meetings, held every four years, bring ITU member states together to review and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty that governs how radio spectrum and satellite orbits are used worldwide.

WRC-27 will examine the outcomes of four years of technical studies and adopt decisions shaping the allocation and management of spectrum for services including mobile communications, satellite systems, radiolocation, radio astronomy and space research, including emerging applications supporting lunar missions. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the conference will play a central role in advancing universal and meaningful connectivity by ensuring that spectrum and orbital resources are shared efficiently and equitably.

More than 4,000 delegates are expected to attend, representing ITU’s 194 member states, UN agencies, regional telecommunications bodies and industry stakeholders. China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Lecheng, said the country is preparing to provide comprehensive support as host and highlighted the significance of being the first Asia-Pacific nation to organise a WRC.

The preparatory process for WRC-27 spans a full study cycle, involving national administrations, regulators, industry, satellite operators and standards bodies. ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director Mario Maniewicz noted that the conference will guide the evolution of radiocommunication services on Earth and in space, ensuring regulations remain aligned with technological developments and global needs.