Member States elect Adel Darwish as ITU Deputy Secretary-General

​Member States of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today elected Adel Darwish of Bahrain as the organization's next Deputy-Secretary General.

The election took place during ITU's Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha, as the UN agency for digital technologies elects the management team to oversee its strategy and budget over the next four years. Darwish won the position with 90 votes out of 177 votes cast.

On Thursday, ITU Member States re-elected Doreen Bogdan-Martin as ITU Secretary-General.

A new Elected Official joins ITU's leadership team

As Deputy Secretary-General, Darwish will assist the ITU Secretary-General with organizational management and help strengthen collaboration across ITU's radiocommunication, standardization, and development activities.

Darwish has more than 25 years of experience in telecommunications, regulation and digital development, spanning the private sector, government and ITU, where he has served since 2020 as Director of the Regional Office for the Arab States.

Electing leaders in radiocommunication, standardization and development

The Plenipotentiary Conference is ITU's highest decision-making conference.

Later today, ITU Member States will meet to elect the Directors of ITU's three technical bureaux: Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardization, and Telecommunication Development.

The voting for ITU's senior leadership will be followed next week by elections for the 12-member Radio Regulations Board and for regionally allocated Member State places on the 48-seat ITU Council, which governs ITU between Plenipotentiary Conferences.

In addition to leadership elections, the conference will set ITU's financial and strategic plans. PP-26 takes place through 27 November at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. ​

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More about ITU PP-26 Elections

About ITU:

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int