​​​​​​​The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) invites its members to participate in World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2022 celebrations building up to 17 May.

The annual celebration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) marks the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention 157 years ago, in 1865.

WTISD-22 puts the spotlight on “Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing", reflecting a defining demographic trend of the 21st century.

"Digital technologies are a crucial factor for everyone's healthy ageing," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "Equitable access to digital technologies isn't just a moral responsibility, it's essential for global prosperity and sustainability. As we celebrate ITU's history, we are reiterating our commitment to expand digital access across all regions as well as all ages."

The latest event information and campaign assets for this year's celebrations are available on the dedicated WTISD website​.

How ITU is celebrating

ITU will mark the date with a high-level panel on Tuesday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET).

ITU members, missions to the United Nations in Geneva, representatives from sister United Nations organizations can attend in person at ITU by registering here, while remote participation is hosted by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum by registering here.

See the programme​ and list of panellists.

For physical access to ITU premises, all delegates attending the event in person are requested to use the ITU Montbrillant Building entrance, 2 rue de Varembé, 1211 Geneva, where their event badges can be collected upon presentation of a valid ID card or passport and a confirmation of registration.

How you can celebrate nationally or in your own network

To facilitate your own events and help raise awareness, all ITU members, UN sister agencies, and non-governmental organizations are invited to use advocacy materials from the WTISD web pages​.

These include:​

- Calls to action 

- High-level statements from the UN Secretary-General, the ITU Secretary-General and the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)

- Promotional visual material in all six ITU official languages, as well as without text (allowing adaptation to other languages)

- Other media content

Please join the conversation using the hashtags #HealthyAgeing and #WTISD.

Key event details
What: High-level panel to mark WTISD-22 
When: Tuesday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET)
Where: ITU members, missions to the UN in Geneva and representatives from sister UN organizations are invited to attend in person at ITU by registering here. To participate remotely, through the WSIS Forum 2022, register here. 
Programme: See the WTISD-22 celebration programme here.

Discover what others are saying on social media and join the conversation by searching and posting with the hashtags #HealthyAgeing and #WTISD

About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. For more information, visit www.itu.int