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ITU, as part of the World Radio Day Committee, is joining in the global celebrations for the seventh edition of World Radio Day 2018, under this year's theme: Radio and Sports.

World Radio Day is the day set aside to celebrate the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together across every corner of the globe and its contribution to development, democratic debate through information, entertainment (including sport) and audience interaction.

To make this possible, ITU continues working to ensure that transmission standards and spectrum are available – for example, for key 5G performance requirements for IMT-2020, as well as for digital radio in MF, HF and VHF broadcasting bands – thus ensuring the sustainable development of the wireless eco-system.

"The wireless ecosystem is flourishing, as illustrated by the continuous growth in the use of wireless radiocommunications. Information and communication technologies (ICTs), of which radiocommunications are an essential part, form the backbone of today's digital economy and have enormous potential to fast forward progress on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve people's lives in fundamental ways," said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General.

"Leveraging technology, and radiocommunications in particular, to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals, is possible thanks to the various activities carried out in the ITU and its membership to adopt international regulations, standards and best practices that promote efficient use and spectrum harmonization, enabling economies of scale and affordable service throughout the World," said François Rancy, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.

Radio is still the most dynamic, reactive and engaging medium there is, adapting to 21^st century changes and offering new ways to interact and participate, made possible through a ubiquitous wireless world connected by ITU.

History of World Radio Day

On 14 January 2013, the United Nations General Assembly formally endorsed UNESCO's proclamation of World Radio Day. During its 67th Session, the UN General Assembly endorsed the resolution adopted during the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference, proclaiming 13 February, the day United Nations Radio was established in 1946, as World Radio Day.  

Keep up with the latest ITU Radiocommunication Bureau news and events information here.

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