Strengthening digital lifelines for a resilient and connected world
In a world that increasingly depends on uninterrupted connectivity, the resilience of our digital networks is essential. Digital lifelines – terrestrial networks, submarine cables, satellites, and data systems – form the backbone of our communities and economies.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2026 calls on governments, industry, and communities to strengthen the digital lifelines that keep the world running. Join us in designing the networks and systems that can withstand shocks and recover quickly, ensuring that no one is cut off and left offline when it matters most.
Celebrated every year on 17 May, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) highlights the growing role of digital technologies in our lives and commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – the United Nations Agency for Digital Technologies.
What if the systems we rely on were resilient by design?
The WTISD 2026 What if…? campaign explores the digital systems that quietly support daily life — and what it takes to keep them strong, secure and reliable.
From early warning systems to global connectivity infrastructure, these digital lifelines must work together to keep people safe, informed and connected.
Which of these matters most from your perspective?
the different digital lifelines and your view through the .
Background
The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. 17 May marks the anniversary of the signing of the and the creation of the (ITU).
History
World Telecommunication Day
World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, marking the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. It was instituted by the in 1973 as Resolution 46.
World Information Society Day
In November 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society called upon the UN General Assembly to declare 17 May as World Information Society Day to focus on the importance of ICT and the wide range of issues related to the Information Society raised by WSIS. The General Assembly adopted a resolution () in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on 17 May.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on 17 May as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The updated invites Member States and Sector Members to celebrate the day annually by organizing appropriate national programmes with a view to:
- stimulating reflection and exchanges of ideas on the theme adopted by the Council
- debating the various aspects of the theme with all partners in society
- formulating a report reflecting national discussions on the issues underlying the theme, to be fed back to ITU and the rest of its membership
Get involved in WTISD 2026
There are many ways to take part in World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026 and contribute to strengthening digital resilience worldwide:
- Share campaign materials: Visit our for official posters, social media cards and key messages.
- Organize or join an event: Host discussions, workshops or exhibitions aligned with the and to the global calendar.
- Highlight your initiatives: Showcase national strategies, projects or activities that support resilient digital infrastructure.
- Join the global conversation: Engage online using #DigitalLifelines and #WTISD to connect with others and amplify impact.
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- is an ITU series that focuses on how technology is helping to shape the world around us.
Resources
Useful websites
Documents
- (ITU)
- (ITU, Malaga-Torre Molinos, 1973)
- (General Assembly resolution, 2006)
- (ITU, 2006)
