World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Bridging regional WSIS+20 reviews with global negotiations, this event explores strategies to translate digital commitments into national action, aligning with the Global Digital Compact and SDGs to drive an inclusive digital society. The WSIS+20 Review represents a defining global process to assess two decades of progress toward a people-centered and development-oriented Information Society. As Member States emphasize the need for a joint implementation roadmap, this high-level side event serves as a forward-looking platform to link regional experiences specifically the outcomes of the Cotonou Declaration on Accelerating Africa's Digital Transformation with ongoing global negotiations. By aligning regional priorities with the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the 2030 Agenda, this session will examine how public institutions can anchor multi-stakeholder collaboration, trust, and human rights in the implementation of WSIS+20 outcomes. Discussions will address critical policy gaps,...

  In the area of infrastructure and networkdevelopment , identifying connectivity gaps in ICT and Digital infrastructures is key. The ITU Broadband Mapping (of its 193 Member States) activities make use of geospatial tools applied to telecom infrastructure, together with relevant data for identifying missing links. This allows the Development of projects and case studies for planning national broadband infrastructure deployment in support to digital transformation across sectors (e.g., financial inclusion, education, health). ITU mapping tools feed into partnership activities such as in school connectivity , financial inclusion and the use of ICT Business Planning for sustainable network development .

  Digital transformation (DX) is the strategic integration of digital technology across all areas of a business, fundamentally changing operations, culture, and customer experiences to create new value, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a digital world, involving a shift beyond just tech to reimagining business models, processes, and customer engageme Key Aspects Technology Integration: Uses cloud computing, AI, data analytics, IoT, and automation to modernize systems. Cultural Shift: Fosters innovation, agility, experimentation, and a data-driven mindset throughout the organization. Process & Model Redesign: Reimagines how work gets done and how value is delivered, moving from paper to smart, digital workflows. Customer-Centricity: Focuses on creating better, more personalized customer experiences and relationships.

  10 young women are emerging leaders, advancing digital transformation and development in meaningful ways across diverse sectors and communities. Their work addresses real-world challenges — from digital literacy and online safety to broadband connectivity and responsible AI — bringing forward solutions that make technology more effective and accessible to al l. As part of the ITU160 Gender Champions initiative , they will travel to Geneva to participate in the WSIS+20 High-Level Event , the AI for Good Global Summit , and ITU’s 160th Anniversary commemorations from 7–11 July 2025 . Launched on the occasion of ITU’s 160th Anniversary, the ITU160 Gender Champions initiative aims to recognize and support young women who are contributing to digital development and transformation worldwide. With support from the Government of Canada, the initiative provides a platform for 10 young women leaders (ages 18–25) to share their work, engage with global stakeholders, and help shape the ...

Despite progress, inequality remains a barrier to digital inclusion . According to Facts and Figures 2024 : 70% of men use the Internet globally , compared to 65% of women, a gap that leaves 189 million more men online than women worldwide. While the digital gender gap has narrowed in many developed countries, it has widened in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where only 29% of women are using the internet compared to 41% of men. Gaps persist not only in access, but also in affordability, digital skills , participation in STEM , and leadership in the tech sector . These gaps not only disadvantage women and girls, they also hinder economic growth, innovation in countries around the world, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .  

  ITU’s vision is an information and digital society , empowered by the interconnected world, where telecommunication/ICTs enable and accelerate social, economic and environmentally sustainable growth and development for everyone . As the specialized UN agency for ICTs , ITU’s mission is to Promote, facilitate and foster affordable and universal access to telecommunication/ICT networks , services and applications and their use for social, economic and environmentally sustainable growth and development. To work towards this vision and mission, ITU has a common strategy and accountability framework, called ‘ Connect 2030 ’. The Connect 2030 Agenda for Global Telecommunication/ICT Development focuses on how technological advances can contribute to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 . With the five goals:  i) Growth,  ii) Inclusiveness,  iii) Sustainability,  iv) Innovation and  v) Partnership. The Connect 203...

Data is critical to our Goal of connecting the world . It tells us where we were, where we are, what works and what does not. Data is a key ingredient of empirical research for establishing correlation, determining causality, identifying good practices, and designing effective interventions. ITU leads the global ICTs statistics agenda . It collects, actively uses the Data and Statistics to monitor digital divide , and disseminates vital information and carries out world-class research to Support evidence-based decision making towards universal and meaningful connectivity and sustained digital transformation : e.g., through ITU DataHub , ITU’s annual Facts and figures and ICT price trends , and the Digital Development Dashboard .

There are a number of pre-standardization initiatives , open to everyone, called ITU-T Focus Groups that work for the quick development of specifications to address industry needs as they emerge on various aspects of AI: including digital agriculture, disaster management, health, autonomous networks, and the metaverse. ITU-T Study Groups , that are open to all ITU members, also address aspects of AI and machine learning within their mandates. The work has so far resulted in ITU-T Recommendations and Supplements as well as deliverables from the various ITU-T Focus Groups . There is also ongoing work within ITU-R on this topic of  AI in STANDARDIZATION .

   Instilling the Necessary skills has become a key part of national digital transformation strategies . With a wide range of projects that target digital skills , ITU contributes actively to the strengthening of Digital capacities among its member states, e.g., via  Training for ICT professionals ; basic and intermediate skills training for citizens and marginalized groups ; a commitment to invest in skills development for young people ; tools and guidelines to implement digital skills strategies; and International cooperation to help governments increase their digital capacity . Among others, the ITU Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative , launched with Cisco in 2019, aims to strengthen people’s digital capacities, particularly in underserved communities. Over 150 000 people (of which over 60% were female) have been trained in basic and intermediate digital skills through 13 DTCs located in Africa, the Americas, and the Arab and Asia-Pacific regions