This paper explains the present status of the ITER electron cyclotron emission (ECE) diagnostic and gives an outlook on the upcoming technical and design activity. The open questions of calibration and stability of ECE systems, as well as proposals for the calibration, the design of the front end, and the transmission line are reviewed. The possible role of ECE in the neoclassical tearing mode detection and stabilization by electron cyclotron heating is also discussed. Because integration of the ITER ECE diagnostic within the tokamak requires proper definition of interfaces with many different components located both in-vessel and ex-vessel, a special attention is paid to address the associated issues.