The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (Minneapolis, 1998) adopted Resolution 71 on the strategic plan for the Union. This Resolution specified the role and objectives of ITU-R from 1999 to 2003.

According to the ITU's webstie, "ITU-R shall:

• effect allocation of bands of the radiofrequency spectrum, the allotment of radio frequencies and the registration of radio frequency assignments and of any associated orbital position in the geostationary satellite orbit in order to avoid harmful interference between radio stations of different countries;
• coordinate efforts to eliminate harmful interference between radio stations of different countries and to improve the use made of radio-frequencies and of the geostationary-satellite orbit for radiocommunication services."