Organisational structure

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is an international organisation subject to a Headquarters Agreement with the UK Government, with its offices located in London. The CTO has five broad categories of members:

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Full Member Country - A Member State of the Commonwealth of Nations.

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Associate State - A country that is not a Member State of the Commonwealth of Nations and that is not a self-governing state linked to a Commonwealth Member State.

 

Affiliate Member - A self-governing state linked to a Member State of the Commonwealth of Nations including overseas territories.

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Academic Member - A university or tertiary education institution from any country.

 

​ICT Sector Member - A non-governmental entity, the functions and activities of which are compatible with the purposes of the CTO, other than a Full Member Country, Associate Member, Affiliate Member, Member Country or Academic Member.

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According to its constitution, the CTO has four main purposes:

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• To support the development and use of ICTs within the Commonwealth and beyond;

• To promote the provision and use of ICTs to meet the needs of members, to support development in Member countries, and to ensure the inclusion of marginalised people;

• To promote effective cooperation and partnership amongst its members and other organisations; and

• To develop and implement activities to promote the above three objectives.

 

 

The CTO is comprised of:

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The CTO Council - The highest decision-making body of the CTO, consisting of representatives of Full Member Countries. It meets annually to examine the progress of the Organisation and to approve future programmes.

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The Executive Committee - Oversees the activities of the CTO between Council meetings and makes recommendations to Council concerning the CTO’s strategic activities. The Executive Committee is convened at least twice a year.​

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The CTO Secretariat - The Secretariat is the body that delivers the mandate of the Organisation by implementing the agreed work programme. It is responsible to Council for carrying out the functions of the CTO.​