The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Association of Communications and Telecommunications Regulators of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (ARCTEL) signed a cooperation agreement to implement joint activities focusing on capacity building and education. The agreement was concluded at the 8th Communications Forum of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), held in Guinea Bissau on 15-16 February 2017, at which most of the countries that will benefit  from the Agreement were in attendance. ITU was represented by Dr Cosmas Zavazava, Chief of Department for Projects and Knowledge Management. ARCTEL was represented by Mr Orlando Fernandes, in his capacity as Chairman of ARCTEL and Director General of AGER, the General Regulatory Authority of Sao Tome and Principe.

The new agreement will facilitate the joint implementation of an Accelerated Management Course for Telecommunication Executives. This course aims to deliver high-quality and certified training for managers of the Communication Sector. It focuses on the latest technological developments in communications and the resulting challenges in terms of regulation and competition, and provides participants with key management skills that will improve their leadership roles and strategic positioning in the companies they work in.

Both ITU and ARCTEL are keen to continue building human and institutional capacity in the field of ICT by supporting the development and implementation of cutting-edge capacity building intiatives.