Through its unique convening power, ITU provides a neutral and world class platform that brings together a wide range of stakeholders from around the globe to engage on topical issues through constructive dialogue. In the face of COVID-19, we have continued the important business of bringing together those constituencies that matter, on the platforms that matter – to forge ongoing momentum and progress towards achieving the SDGs through universal access to ICTs.
- The World Telecommunication Development Conferences, held every four years, address the issues that matter for telecommunication development, setting strategy and objectives for the development of telecommunication/ICT generally, and providing direction and guidance to ITU in its future work. In 2022 ‘Connecting the unconnected to achieve sustainable development’ will develop innovative approaches and new models of collaboration for connectivity and solutions in the final Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs.
- World Radiocommunication Conferences, held every three to four years, review and revise the international treaty that governs the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits. Meetings address the efficient use of spectrum and orbital resources – of central importance in these increasingly important technology sectors.
- The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum is the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. Co-organized by ITU with UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, the Forum coordinates multi-stakeholder implementation activities, enables information exchange, the creation of knowledge, the sharing of best practices – and helps advance development goals.
- ITU Kaleidoscope events are held annually in different parts of the world, to bring together ICT standardization experts and academia. The events identify new topics for standardization.
- Global Symposium for Regulators is the annual event for regulators to share their views and experiences on the most pressing regulatory issues of the day. It brings together heads of national telecom/ICT regulatory authorities from around the world and concludes with agreement on a set of regulatory best practice guidelines.
- ITU Telecom World and Digital World Events are annual global tech event for governments, industry and SMEs to exhibit innovative solutions, network, share knowledge and use the power of technology to create a better digital future for all. ITU Digital World 2021, online, September to December 2021, marked the 50th anniversary of ITU Telecom events.
- The World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum is a high-level international event for exchanging views on key policy issues arising from today’s fast changing ICT environment. The Sixth World Telecommunication Policy Forum (WTPF-21) brought together policy-makers from around the world to discuss how to better harness emerging technologies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is held annually on 17 May. The theme for WTISD 2021 was ‘Accelerating Digital Transformation in challenging times’ –ITU members pushed for digital transformation by promoting national strategies on ICT development, smart policies to encourage investments, cooperation, and partnership. The theme for WTISD 2020 was Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underlining ITU’s commitment to connect everyone, everywhere.