Milestones in 2023

1 January
New ITU leadership team
The top five officials elected by member states in late 2022 took office with the new year, led by the first-ever woman to serve as ITU Secretary-General. Learn more

16-20 January
World Economic Forum
Digital was high on the agenda in Davos, with the ITU Secretary-General addressing a session on protecting cyberspace amid exponential change.

27 February – 2 March
Mobile World Congress Barcelona
ITU provided expert thought leadership on digital transformation at the leading gathering for the mobile telecom industry. Learn more

5-9 March
UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5)
Digital issues like universal meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation featured prominently in the main programme at the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5).

8 March
International Women’s Day
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin called for empowering girls with digital skills, ensuring equal tech access, and giving women a seat at the table. Learn more

13-17 March
WSIS Forum
The latest step in World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) highlighted action lines for building back better and accelerating the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more

22 March
South Asia office opening
We opened the new ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre in New Delhi, India, giving us an expanded presence to promote tech and sustainable development across South Asia. Learn more

26-28 April
Transform Africa Summit
We celebrated the achievements of young African tech innovators and called for investments in the continent’s infrastructure, entrepreneurs, and youth. Learn more

27 April
Girls in ICT Day
With partners worldwide, we organized celebrations to inspire girls and women to pursue digital careers, aiming to bridge the digital divide by building digital skills for life. Learn more

29-30 April
G7 Digital and Tech Ministerial
ITU added insights to discussions in Takasaki, Japan, on digital infrastructure and emerging and disruptive technologies.

17 May
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
ITU’s latest anniversary focused on empowering the least developed countries (LDCs) through information and communication technologies. Learn more

5-8 June
Global Symposium for Regulators
National telecom and digital regulators from around the world gathered in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, to tackle pressing regulatory issues and exchange insights on digital transformation. Learn more

11-13 June
G20 Development Ministerial
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin engaged in discussions in Varanasi, India, on digital public infrastructure as a driver of sustainable development.

6-7 July
AI for Good Global Summit
The 2023 edition connected humanitarian leaders with tech innovators and featured the world’s first press conference with humanoid robots. Learn more

6-7 July
G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting
The Director of ITU’s Radio Communication Bureau shared insights with executives from space agencies and space companies at an invited talk in Bengaluru, India.

11-21 July
ITU Council (ordinary session)
The 48-member governing body discussed strategic plan implementation, financial accountability and agility, and ITU’s organizational transformation roadmap. Learn more

17-19 August
G20 Digital Innovation Alliance Summit
India’s G20 Presidency prioritized Digital Public Infrastructure, cybersecurity and building digital skills to drive sustainable, inclusive global development. Learn more

15-30 September
UN General Assembly
We and our partners put sustainable digital transformation at the heart of the global agenda with SDG Digital sessions and calls to action during the high-level week.

16 September
Broadband Commission Fall Meeting 
The high-level public-private partnership for universal and meaningful connectivity reiterated that people around the world need skills and knowledge to use connectivity. Learn more 

17 September
SDG Digital
As part of SDG Action Weekend, ITU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) unveiled a High-Impact Initiative and mobilized partners to accelerate progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more

8-12 October
Internet Governance Forum
ITU explored tech opportunities and addressed digital policy issues in multi-stakeholder discussions in Kyoto, Japan, dedicated to ensuring safe, prosperous, secure online engagement for all.

9-20 October
ITU Council
Following a session of Council Working Group and Expert Group clusters, ITU’s annual governing body discussed organizational and logistical issues for the coming period. Learn more

18 October
Emmy Award for HDR-TV
ITU won its latest Emmy Award in engineering, science and technology for developing the technical standard for High-Dynamic-Range Television. Learn more

26 October
High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence
ITU is active in the newly launched multi-stakeholder AI Advisory Body, exploring ways to link AI governance initiatives and leverage AI for the Sustainable Development Goals.

1-2 November
AI Safety Summit
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin spoke up for the world’s AI have-nots and urged industry leaders gathered in Bletchley Park, UK, to unite around international technical standards to achieve trust, scale, and safety.

2 November
ITU Young Professionals Programme
We announced the launch of our recruitment initiative for the next generation of tech leaders, with applications due in January 2024. Learn more

20 November – 15 December
World Radiocommunication Conference
Administrations from around the world came together in Dubai, UAE, to revise and update the ITU Radio Regulations. Learn more

27 November
Facts & Figures 2023
With an estimated 2.6 billion people in the world still unconnected to the Internet, our annual statistics highlighted 5G network coverage and confirmed persisting gaps between high- and low-income countries. Learn more

30 November – 12 December
COP28
Members of the global tech sector have committed to increase action to help solve the climate crisis through Green Digital Action. Learn more

12 December
Partner2Connect Digital Coalition
Our annual meeting highlighted commitments worth over USD 36 billion to date to extend digital connectivity to everyone worldwide. Learn more

12 December
EQUALS in Tech Awards
ITU and partners held their 10th annual ceremony celebrating innovative and impactful initiatives to bridge the gender divide in digital development.

14 December
ITU Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Board 
We launched a forward-thinking initiative to elicit diverse youth perspectives and obtain concrete recommendations to enhance worldwide cooperation in bridging the digital divide. Learn more