World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

  For over 160 years, The  ITU has brought governments, the private sector and other partners together to coordinate how the world connects. Behind the scenes, the Union develops global standards , allocates radio frequencies , and supports countries in strengthening their digital infrastructure. For example: • Every day, satellite and terrestrial navigation systems guide travel on land, at sea, and in the air. The  ITU coordinates radio frequencies, ensuring these essential signals remain safe and interference-free. • ITU and partners advance the use of AI for disaster preparedness through the Early Warning Connectivity Map , identifying where and how many people can be reached via digital networks. • Every year, the ITU Academy trains 5,000+ learners worldwide in topics such as digital inclusion, connectivity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, policy leadership and more. When incidents affect digital infrastructure, behind the scenes takes centre stage. Mappin...

May 17th marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The effects of digital exclusion are interconnected, limiting not just individual potential, but also the resilience of communities and the performance of economies. On individuals : When women and girls gain digital access and skills , they unlock educational, professional, and social opportunities, from becoming entrepreneurs to obtaining essential health, financial and government services. On communities : Inclusive digital participation fosters stronger, more resilient communities by ensuring diverse perspectives and locally relevant solutions. When women and girls benefit from and contribute to digital transformation , communities are strengthened by increased innovation and greater social cohesion. On economies : Equality for all women and girls fuels economic growth by driving diversity, innovation, and productivity. According to the IMF, narrowing gender gaps in labor markets could boost GDP by up to 8% in emerging and developing economies.

Digital technologies have the power to accelerate progress across every sector of society, yet that potential remains out of reach for many. Of the 2.6 billion people still unconnected, the majority are women and girls . The  Gaps in access and affordability of the internet and digital devices , as well as limited digital skills , continue to hinder the participation of women and girls in today’s economy and in shaping tomorrow’s digital solutions . Bridging this divide is essential to unlocking new pathways for economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development . The  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025 highlights the pressing need to advance digital gender equality , so that women and girls everywhere can also benefit from and contribute to digital transformation. As the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action , WTISD-25 is a critical moment to accelerate collective action that ensures digital transformation delive...

The 160 years are not only a milestone for ITU, but a commemoration of the shared progress we’ve made in creating a connected, inclusive world. Watch the message from Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, for ITU's 160th anniversary.

First established as World Telecommunication Day, the international observance has been held annually on 17 May since 1969. It was formally instituted by the 1973 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos through Resolution 46. In 2006, it was merged with World Information Society Day to become World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ( WTISD ), reflecting the growing significance of the Internet and digital technologies.  The observance aims to raise awareness of the power of the Internet and other technologies to improve lives and bridge the digital divide . Learn more

AI is reshaping the way the  United Nations  serves people and planet. The projects highlighted in this annual report reflect our shared conviction that #AIforGood is no longer a distant aspiration; it is a present-day imperative within and beyond the United Nations. Explore how to leverage the potential of AI to advance #GlobalGoals in this new compendium of #AIforGood use cases, projects and initiatives

  CONVENING GLOBAL PLATFORMS FOR CONNECTIVITY : Led by H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Carlos Slim Helù of Mexico, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development is co-chaired by ITU ’s Secretary-General and UNESCO Director-General and comprises over 50 Commissioners who represent a cross-cutting group of top CEO and industry and policy leaders, with academia and organizations concerned with development. The Commission serves as a foundation for bringing the United Nations Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation to life with its advocacy and thought leadership work and contributing and shaping the Global Digital Compat process (in particular in the pillar of " Connect all people to the internet, including all schools ") and outcomes as the high-level advisory multistakeholder group.