World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated on May 17 — the day in 1865 when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed.

On that same day 161 years ago, the International Telegraph Union was founded — an organization that later became the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

WTISD is not just a celebration of technology — it is a day that honors great discoveries: from the invention of the telephone to the launch of the first satellite, and from the first modems to high‑speed Internet.

The theme of WTISD‑2026 highlights the need to ensure the security of critical communication infrastructure in the face of increasing global crises and extreme weather events.

We thank those who laid the foundations and those who today develop communication technologies and ensure their resilience. May connectivity remain reliable, ideas remain bold, and technologies serve the well‑being of humanity.

In pursuit of progress,

The RCC Executive Committee

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We are sharing a video message from ITU Secretary‑General Ms. Doreen Bogdan‑Martin on the occasion of WTISD‑2026.