The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-98) took place in Valletta, Malta, from 23 March to 1 April 1998. It was attended by delegations from 139 Member States of ITU, headed by ministers or senior officials, 79 Sector Members and representatives of 29 organizations and agencies, as well as many private sector representatives.

The purpose of the conference was to:

• review the results of global telecommunications since the Buenos Aires Conference
• review the current major policy issues
• examine technologies for the future
• adopt a strategic plan for ITU-D as well as an action plan for 1999-2002: the Valletta Action Plan
• consider financing and innovative forms of cooperation
• take decisions on the ITU-D structure and working methods
• set goals and objectives up to the year 2003 and define and establish a common vision and strategies for achieving balanced telecommunications development by and beyond the end of the century.