​ Theme of the 2019 "Bridging the gap in standards"

This year marks the 50 ^th anniversary of the World Telecommunication and Information Society. Celebrated every year since 1969, this day commemorates the creation of the ITU on May 17, 1865, with the signing in Paris of the International Telegraph Convention. The definition of standards is an essential pillar of ITU's mission to the United Nations. ITU standards help accelerate the use of ICTs to achieve sustainable development Goals.

• enable the participation of developing countries in ITU standardization activities;
• empower local experts to participate in standardization activities at the national, regional and international levels; and
• encourages the application of international standards in developing countries.

• ITU Secretary-General's Circular Letter to Member States, Sector Members, Associates and Academia
  
• Program (pdf)
  
• Video message from the ITU Secretary-General
  
• Promotional materials
• About the World Telecommunication and Information Society
• Digital collection of World Telecommunication and Information Society documents and materials since 1969
• About ITU's "Bridging the Standardization Gap"
• Resolution 12 3 (Rev. Dubai, 2018) of the Plenipotentiary Conference - Bridging the standardization gap between developing and developing countries 

Events around the world to celebrate the 2019 edition of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

• Member States
• representatives of Permanent Missions in Geneva
• members of the private sector
• small and medium-sized enterprises, especially developing countries
• academic institutions
• other United Nations agencies
• partners and stakeholders
• the general public