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On 17 May, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) with a spotlight on older persons and health ageing.

The annual celebration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) marks the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention 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. More than a billion people around the world are currently aged 60 years or older. Amid the overall ageing of the global population, ITU is promoting digital solutions as a key element in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.

Yet societies struggle to recognize the opportunities that this trend can unleash. Telecommunications and ICTs can support healthier ageing, as well as help to build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination in the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.

The latest information on this year's celebrations is available on the dedicated WTISD website (www.itu.int/en/wtisd).

What: High-level panel to mark WTISD 2022 

When: Tuesday, 17 May, 13:00 to 14:30 (CET) 

Where: Media may attend the high-level panel remotely via the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2022, by registering here. 

Programme: See the WTISD-22 celebration programme. 

Who:
 - Mr. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-GeneraI, ITU

 - Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, Deputy Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)

 - H.E. Ms. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister, Ministry of Communication and Digitalization, Ghana

 - Ms. My Linh Kha, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Japan Asia-Pacific, Amgen

 - Dr. Jane Barratt PhD, Secretary-General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

Note for UNOG-accredited media: UNOG-accredited media may attend physically by registering via email to pressreg@itu.int.

Note for general and local media: Media that are not UN-accredited can participate remotely via the WSIS Forum 2022, by registering here.


Related resources

 - WTISD-22 website www.itu.int/en/wtisd

 - High-level event
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 - Statements​

 - Campaign resources including High-level statements, promotional material and additional media 

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