World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Event Date: 17 May 2026
Time: ––
Summary: World Day
WTISD-26 theme:
"Digital lifelines – Strengthening resilience in a connected world"
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) are observed each year on 17 May to raise awareness of the power of the Internet and other technologies to improve lives and bridge the digital divide.
The digital lifelines behind everyday resilience. Every day, invisible digital systems help keep the world running. They warn communities when disasters approach. Guide navigation across land, sea and air. Carry the data that connects continents. These systems form the digital lifelines that underpin modern life.
Explore how they work, why they matter, and how global cooperation helps keep them strong.
What if a simple message on your phone could save your life?
ITU helps countries strengthen mobile-based early warning systems to reach at-risk communities fast, reliably and at scale when disasters strike.
Early Warnings for All initiative 
What if navigation signals remained strong and reliable for generations?
Every day, satellite and terrestrial navigation systems guide travel on land, at sea, and in the air. ITU coordinates radio frequencies, ensuring these essential signals remain safe and interference-free.
Discover how satellite spectrum and orbits are coordinated 
What if distress signals at sea were always received?
Maritime safety relies on dependable communications. ITU coordinates the spectrum use, identification resources and standards for the systems behind global distress signals.
Explore how maritime distress systems work
What if no one lost connection when forced to flee?
Through the Connectivity for Refugees initiative, ITU and partners are advancing meaningful, affordable connectivity, aiming to reach 20 million displaced people and host communities by 2030.
Learn how connectivity supports displaced communities
What if digital use didn’t increase our environmental footprint?
ITU sets global standards for energy efficient, low-carbon digital technologies, and tracks ICT sector emissions and e-waste through the Greening Digital Companies Report and the Global E-waste Monitor.
Join the partnership for Green Digital Action
What if everyone had the skills to keep digital systems running?
Every year, the ITU Academy trains 5,000+ learners worldwide in topics such as digital inclusion, connectivity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, policy leadership and more
Take a course with ITU Academy
What if global data traffic across oceans was never interrupted?
ITU co-convened the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to safeguard undersea cables carrying over 99% of intercontinental data.
Explore global efforts to strengthen submarine cable resilience
What if AI helped improve disaster preparedness?
ITU and partners advance the use of AI for disaster preparedness through the Early Warning Connectivity Map, identifying where and how many people can be reached via digital networks.
Attend the AI for Good Global Summit
What if everyone had access to resilient digital infrastructure?
ITU supports infrastructure mapping, planning, and analysis to help countries identify connectivity gaps and build inclusive, resilient networks.
Explore global connectivity infrastructure maps
What if every digital network was trusted and secure?
ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index benchmarks cybersecurity commitments across all ITU Member States, and ITU Global CyberDrills engage incident response teams in live cyber-incident simulations.
Discover how countries strengthen cybersecurity with ITU
What if connectivity reached everyone, everywhere?
Today, 2.2 billion people remain unconnected. Partner2Connect mobilizes new resources, partnerships, and commitments to advance universal connectivity.
Make a pledge with Partner2Connect
