Theme 2019: Bridging the standardization gap
This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day which has been celebrated annually since 1969. The Day marks the founding of ITU on 17 May 1865 when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris.
Setting standards is a fundamental pillar of ITU's mission as the specialized agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies (ICTs). ITU standards help accelerate ICTs for all Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2019 theme will allow ITU Membership and other key stakeholders to focus on the opportunities for:
- participation of developing countries in ITU's standards-making process;
- empowering local experts in the standardization process at the national, regional and international levels; and
- promoting the implementation of international standards in developing countries.
Resources
WTISD-19 celebrations around the world
At the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018, ITU Member States approved an update of Resolution 123 (from 2007) to promote the increased participation of developing countries in ITU’s standardization process with a view to bridging the standardization gap.
We invite
- Member States
- Permanent Mission Representatives in Geneva
- Industry members
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises, particularly from developing countries
- Academia
- United Nations sister agencies
- Partners and stakeholders
- General public
to organize activities in your country to mark WTISD-2019 and encourage you to involve all sections of society to help bridge the standardization gap.
Thank you for your engagement.
Worldwide initiatives
Please send us your initiative here 
