By E. K Benjamin

Geneva, Updated at 1314 EAT on Saturday 31st May 2025 — The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) commemorated a major milestone on this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), marking 160 years of pioneering advancements in global communication.

In a statement released to mark the occasion, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin reflected on the organization’s historic contributions—from the era of the telegraph to the emergence of artificial intelligence. “Since 1865, ITU has helped shape every major advance in communication,” she said. “From the telegraph to the telephone, from satellites to the mobile phone, and from the Internet to artificial intelligence and more.”

While celebrating progress, Bogdan-Martin emphasized the challenges that remain, particularly the persistent digital divide. “We have seen a great deal of progress in sixteen decades with more people connected than ever before, yet one-third of humanity remains offline,” she noted.

WTISD serves as an annual call to action to expand digital inclusion. This year, the Secretary-General placed special focus on the need to empower women and girls through technology. “We need to ensure that everyone, especially women and girls, benefits fully from the opportunities brought by technology,” she urged.

Bogdan-Martin also expressed gratitude to ITU’s 194 Member States and more than 1,000 partner organizations spanning the private sector, academia, and the technical community. “They work every day to ensure that the technologies shaping our shared digital future serve everyone, everywhere,” she said.

As ITU celebrates its 160th anniversary, the message is clear: the mission to connect the world is far from over.