Committed to connecting the world

Girls in ICT

Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"Telecommunications/ICT are a key enabler to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to build a world where social, economic, environmental, and technological development is sustainable and available for everyone, everywhere. Technologies such as mobile communications, the Internet of Things, connected cars and cities, the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence, all depend on telecommunication networks, services and applications, and increasingly rely on radiocommunications to provide the basis for ubiquitous connectivity. The ITU Radiocommu​nication Sector plays a vital role in this ecosystem: managing frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, as well as developing globally harmonized regulations and standards, are fundamental in order to ensure accessible and affordable telecommunications to all."
Mario Maniewicz
Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau


Mario Maniewicz began his second term as Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

He first took office in January 2019, following his election at the at ITU's 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and was re-elected  at the 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest, Romania.

Mr Maniewicz is an electronics engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with ITU for over 30 years, holding various management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Bureaux as well as in ITU Regional Offices.

From 2014 to 2018, he was Deputy Director of BR, the part of ITU responsible for the global management of the radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits. He also headed the Informatics, Administration and Publication Department and oversaw preparations and served as conference secretary for the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15).

From 2011 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Infrastructure, Enabling Environment, and E-Applications Department in ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), where he directed assistance to developing countries to bridge the digital divide, promoting networks, services, and applications based on information and communication technologies (ICTs) while ensuring the use of appropriate technologies to build or extend infrastructure and as adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunication and ICT environment.

In addition, he promoted ICT access and use for marginalized groups including women, youth, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and people living in remote communities.

From 2007 to 2011, he was Chief of ITU's Policies and Strategies Department, helping developing countries with policies and regulations to attract investment and enhance networks and services. Earlier, he headed ITU's Capacity Building Division and held regional administrator and expert posts at ITU offices in Brazil, Chile, and Peru offices.

Prior to joining ITU, Mr Maniewicz worked at Uruguay's government-owned telecommunications company ANTEL, starting as an engineering assistant and telecommunication engineer before serving as Director of the ANTEL Training Centre.

From 1984 to 1986, he was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Uruguay's Universidad de la República, specializing in electronics, circuits, and electrical measurements.

Mr Maniewicz is married and has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.​​
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Latest articles by Mario Maniewicz:

World Radio Day: Broadcasting enters its second century

WRC-23: Expert perspectives from ITU News Magazine​

Space services: Connectivity and Earth observation via satellite​

Safeguarding the world’s oceans through maritime communications​

Terrestrial services keep us connected and help sustain our lives ​

The future of timekeeping ​

Safeguarding radio spectrum for Earth observation​

ITU PP-22​

ITU PP-22 ELECTION​
Space monitoring at the core of ITU Radiocommunication activities

Day of the Seafarer: ITU’s maritime journey: Then and now

How ITU manages the radio spectrum for the world ​

World Radio Day: Celebrating trust and accessibility

Why space science and spectrum are key for early warning systems and disaster risk reduction​

Radio: The universal medium that leaves no one behind

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ITU News articles by Mario Maniewicz