World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024

• Celebrated on May 17 to honour the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Theme for 2024 : Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.
• Innovative tech can help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, from fighting climate change to eliminating hunger and poverty.
• Significance: The day provides a platform to discuss the successes that development and application of Information and Communication Technology have achieved and the challenges faced.

BACKGROUND:

• In the year 1865 International Telecommunication Union was founded after the signing of first Indian Telegraph Convention.
• First World Telecommunication Day was celebrated on 17 May 1969.
• First combined World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was celebrated on 17 May 2007.