The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency for digital technologies, proudly marks its 160th anniversary, commemorating a legacy of connecting the world since its founding on May 17, 1865, reports ITREALMS.
This milestone, ITREALMS gathered, coincides with the annual World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
"For 160 years, the ITU has been the cornerstone of global technological advancement, uniting nations to ensure that the benefits of technology are accessible to all," stated ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
Stressing "This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past achievements, but a reaffirmation of our commitment to fostering a digital future where every individual, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to thrive."
ITREALMS recalled that since inception, ITU has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, promoting international collaboration, driving economic progress, and enhancing global security. From the early days of telegraphy and radio to the complexities of satellite communications, mobile networks, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, the UN agency has consistently facilitated innovation through collaboration.
Key achievements readily pointed out by industry watchers include: Satellite Orbit Coordination: Since 1963, the ITU has managed the equitable distribution of satellite orbits, enabling 91 countries to provide services to billions worldwide.
Internet Foundation: In 1976, the ITU's technical standards laid the groundwork for the interoperability of computer networks, essential for the development of the modern internet.
"For 160 years, the ITU has been the cornerstone of global technological advancement, uniting nations to ensure that the benefits of technology are accessible to all," stated ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
Stressing "This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past achievements, but a reaffirmation of our commitment to fostering a digital future where every individual, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to thrive."
ITREALMS recalled that since inception, ITU has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, promoting international collaboration, driving economic progress, and enhancing global security. From the early days of telegraphy and radio to the complexities of satellite communications, mobile networks, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, the UN agency has consistently facilitated innovation through collaboration.
Key achievements readily pointed out by industry watchers include: Satellite Orbit Coordination: Since 1963, the ITU has managed the equitable distribution of satellite orbits, enabling 91 countries to provide services to billions worldwide.
Internet Foundation: In 1976, the ITU's technical standards laid the groundwork for the interoperability of computer networks, essential for the development of the modern internet.
Global Standards Development: Annually, the ITU publishes over 300 open standards, ensuring that emerging technologies are safe, reliable, and widely accessible.
Connectivity Expansion: In the past decade, global internet connectivity has doubled, with two-thirds of the world’s population now online, benefiting from the digital economy.
Maritime Communications: Since 1906, the ITU has provided crucial regulations and frequency allocations for maritime communications, vital for the safety and security of 80% of global goods transported by sea.
Connectivity Expansion: In the past decade, global internet connectivity has doubled, with two-thirds of the world’s population now online, benefiting from the digital economy.
Maritime Communications: Since 1906, the ITU has provided crucial regulations and frequency allocations for maritime communications, vital for the safety and security of 80% of global goods transported by sea.
Undersea Cable Resilience: The ITU actively supports initiatives to improve the robustness of undersea cables, which carry 99% of global internet traffic.
Additionally, ITU focused area in the recent past was on bridging the digital divide, hence affirming this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in addressing the gender digital divide, ensuring that women and girls have equal access to and participation in the digital world.
ITU proclaimed that currently, the majority of the 2.6 billion people still offline are women and girls, with a 189 million disparity in internet usage between genders in 2024.
Further, the ITU’s 160th anniversary will be commemorated with events at its headquarters in Geneva, its birthplace in Paris, and across member states.
The ITU extends its gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all partners for their invaluable support in celebrating this milestone and supporting its mission to leverage technology for the benefit of humanity.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
ITU proclaimed that currently, the majority of the 2.6 billion people still offline are women and girls, with a 189 million disparity in internet usage between genders in 2024.
Further, the ITU’s 160th anniversary will be commemorated with events at its headquarters in Geneva, its birthplace in Paris, and across member states.
The ITU extends its gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all partners for their invaluable support in celebrating this milestone and supporting its mission to leverage technology for the benefit of humanity.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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