Standards capture consensus on technologies for a better world

By Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau

Standards provide a common understanding about technologies – whether it’s about how to build them, how to use them, how to interconnect them, or how to keep them safe and sustainable.

We all need that shared language to keep innovating, investing, and doing business internationally.

Standards must deliver their key value – confidence and trust – far and wide, especially as we develop and apply increasingly powerful technologies in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum.

Each year on 14 October, we celebrate World Standards Day and pay tribute to the many thousands of experts who work together year-round to develop international standards.

The world needs trusted technical standards more than ever, based on broader participation than ever before in the collaborative process of standards development.

To achieve breakthroughs for a better world, we need strong connections among technology experts, data owners, and experts in areas where technology can drive sustainable development.

That’s why we continue expanding the reach of ITU’s work, whether through our AI for Good initiative, via partnerships with other standards bodies, or in collaboration with our fellow United Nations agencies.

Partnerships for sustainable development

With our UN partners, we are driving global action for better health, reducing disaster risks, improving food security, making our roads safer, and so much more.

With fellow standards bodies, we offer a new AI Standards Exchange Database to help everyone navigate the fast-evolving AI landscape.

We are also providing expert guidance on standards and policy considerations for tackling deepfakes and misinformation.

Key to all of this is our partnership with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Together, under the World Standards Cooperation banner, we work to position all standards developers and implementers for success.

This is the aim of initiatives like our joint International AI Standards Summit, coming up in Seoul, Republic of Korea, this December.

In the meantime, we’re highlighting standards for environmental sustainability at the UN climate change conference, COP30 

Connecting governance, standards and skills

Governance, standards and skills are key topics at ITU’s annual AI for Good Global Summit, too. Insights shared at this year’s edition are captured in two new ITU reports on global priorities for AI governance and standards.

Dedicated governance discussions called for AI that bridges innovation, inclusion and sustainability. Responsible AI standards help build such bridges.

Good technical standards support innovation at scale, creating global markets and bringing down costs for everyone. Standards also foster reliability and trust, helping spread innovation worldwide.

We, along with our partners, will keep bringing everyone together – from the public and private sectors, all areas of expertise, and countries at all stages of economic development – because the progress of AI must be in the public interest.

While governments provide essential leadership, our whole global technical community helps clarify their vision and strategic priorities. Connecting policy and technical expertise keeps growing in importance.

The UN General Assembly, with a resolution adopted in August, has just initiated a new Global Dialogue on AI Governance. Not coincidentally, the first episode will take place in Geneva in July 2026, alongside our next AI for Good summit.

Bring your expertise to the table

To achieve the future we want, standards need to be the result of a process that is inclusive, transparent, and aligned with ambitions for a better world.

ITU offers this assurance.

All participants’ voices are heard, and every step forward is determined by consensus decisions. We have 160 years of experience to build on. And we have a global community that believes in our commitment to consensus.

I welcome you to join us.

For developing countries with digital ambitions, our Bridging the Standardization Gap programme can help make the most of ITU our standards.

And our new AI Skills Coalition can help you – as policymakers, business leaders, and tech innovators – prepare for success with AI.

With the common understandings provided by standards, everyone can find a way to prosper.