FORUM: "Digital lifelines – Strengthening resilience in a connected world." World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026. This year's initiative, driven by ITU, WTSID highlights the need for robust, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure, encouraging global action to protect essential communication networks and bridge the digital divide.This year long campaign explores the often invisible digital systems that keep everyday life running, especially when communities face disruption or crisis. 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. A single cable break, data center outage, or satellite failure can disrupt vital services, from health and education to finance and disaster response. In a time of escalating natural hazards and rising dependence on technology, building resilient digital infrastructure is critical to the stability of systems and growth for all. This is especially true for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where reliable connectivity underpins recovery from climate impacts and supports growth for all. Share your accomplishments, national visions and strategies, commitments and initiatives on your social media accounts using the hashtags #DigitalLifelines, #DigitalInclusion, #EveryoneIncluded, #wtisd, #17May, #InformationSocietyDay, #TelecommunicationDay.
EVENTS: On May 17th, 2026; a virtual event will be held to World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026. This event 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. Register to participate!
On 19 May 2026, from 15:00 – 16:30 CEST, Join the ITU Space Connect webinar “Beyond the Horizon: Framing the Future of Space Communications” for further insights on ITU spectrum
coordination. Registration and Join live webcast
Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026; May 17th.
On World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the International Telecommunication Union and the world recognize digital technologies as lifelines – connecting people to safety, services and one another.
When disaster strikes, networks carry early warnings, enable first responders, and keep clinics, classrooms and public services up and running.
But lifelines must be trusted, secure and accessible to all. Too many communities remain offline. Critical systems are vulnerable. Disinformation and cyberthreats are growing. And as climate emergencies intensify and the AI divide widens, the cost of inaction falls hardest on those already left behind.
We must invest in connectivity – from seabed cables to satellites, from local access to open standards and digital skills. We must implement the Global Digital Compact, advance rights-based AI governance and strengthen cooperation across governments, industry and civil society.
Digital infrastructure is an essential public good, so let us build it to withstand the crises ahead. When digital lifelines are universal and safe, every community can prepare, respond and recover.
Statement of the ITU Director-General on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026; May 17th.
On World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, the International Telecommunication Union and the world recognize digital technologies as lifelines – connecting people to safety, services and one another.
When disaster strikes, networks carry early warnings, enable first responders, and keep clinics, classrooms and public services up and running.
But lifelines must be trusted, secure and accessible to all. Too many communities remain offline. Critical systems are vulnerable. Disinformation and cyberthreats are growing. And as climate emergencies intensify and the AI divide widens, the cost of inaction falls hardest on those already left behind.
We must invest in connectivity – from seabed cables to satellites, from local access to open standards and digital skills. We must implement the Global Digital Compact, advance rights-based AI governance and strengthen cooperation across governments, industry and civil society.
Digital infrastructure is an essential public good, so let us build it to withstand the crises ahead. When digital lifelines are universal and safe, every community can prepare, respond and recover.
United Nations Secretary-General.
Statement of the ITU Director-General on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026; May 17th.
Today, more people are connected than at any point in human history. Billions of us rely on digital technologies to do the things that matter most. From accessing health care to running a business to learning, communicating with our loved ones and calling for help in a crisis, connectivity has become as crucial to modern life as roads and electricity. And in many parts of the world, digital infrastructure has transformed economies and communities within a generation. But what happens when those networks and services fail? Think of the submarine cables that extend more than 1.7 million kilometers around the globe and they carry 99% of international data traffic. A single earthquake can sever multiple cables at once, cutting entire regions off from the world for weeks. Likewise, a major solar storm can disrupt power grids, satellite navigation networks, and even the global financial system that we rely on. Very often, these critical digital risks transcend borders. And when connectivity fails, the consequences fall hardest on those who can least afford them. And that's why resilience must be built into digital infrastructure from the very beginning and it must be built collectively with the people at the core through international standards, capacity building and global cooperation. This world telecommunication and information society day. Join the ITU in strengthening the digital lifelines that keep our world meaningfully and reliably connected. Together, we can build a more resilient digital future for everyone, everywhere.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General.
ACTIVITIES: Several events on digital lifelines will be held , such as local community roundtables and exhibitions bringing the vital importance of resilient digital lifelines to professional and public diplomacy audiences whose lives run on them.
CAMPAIGN: Join the advocacy for resilient digital infrastructure!
What if the digital systems you count on were resilient by design?
Explore how the world’s essential connections stay strong—from clear navigation signals and lifesaving alerts to resilient undersea data routes—and the role ITU plays behind the scenes to make it happen.
This WTISD What if…? series reveals the often‑hidden systems that keep people safe, informed, and connected, and highlights the global cooperation that makes these digital lifelines possible.
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.Explore the 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. Learn how to 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!
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. Digital resilience depends on many systems working together. But which one matters most from your perspective? Vote here and tell us why.
POLL: Share your perspective – take part in this poll!
PUBLICATION: A new report by ITU and UNDRR mapping the hidden fragility of our interconnected digital world and the priorities needed to build resilience. Read the full report!
EDITORIAL:
POLL: Share your perspective – take part in this poll!
- Early warning systems
- Navigation signals
- Maritime distress and safety
- Connectivity for displaced people
- Green digital technologies
- Digital skills
- Submarine cable resilience
- AI for disaster preparedness
- Resilient national infrastructure
- Trusted and secure networks
- Universal connectivity
PUBLICATION: A new report by ITU and UNDRR mapping the hidden fragility of our interconnected digital world and the priorities needed to build resilience. Read the full report!
- How digital lifelines keep our life running from UN Today
- Digital resilience starts with radio-frequency spectrum from the ITU
COMMUNICATION MATERIALS: Get Access to materials such as posters, backgrounds, and social media cards. To Become a partner by providing financial or in-kind support. Check out opportunities!
