World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is an annual international event that aims to raise awareness about the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) in improving people's lives and bridging the digital divide. The day is dedicated to understanding the role that telecommunication advancements play in the information society. It also explores ways to increase accessibility to ICT infrastructure, especially for marginalized groups and vulnerable communities.

WTISD has its roots in World Telecommunication Day, which was first celebrated in 1969 to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1865. The event took on its current form in 2005, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to observe the day as World Information Society Day, linking it with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, ITU decided to combine World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day into the current WTISD, with a focus on both telecommunication advancements and the broader implications for society.

Observed annually on May 17, WTISD aims to promote discussion and dialogue around the potential of ICTs to foster social and economic development. Each year, a specific theme is chosen, highlighting a critical issue in the field of ICT.