ITU at a glance
Getting to know the United Nations specialized agency
for information and communication technologies
ITU at a glance
Getting to know the United Nations specialized agency
for information and communication technologies
01 About us
what we do
01 About us
what we do
ITU at a glance
01 About us
WHAT WE DO
ITU at a glance
01 About us
WHAT WE DO
‘Committed to
Connecting the
World’
ITU at a glance
01 About us
WHAT WE DO
Coordinating radio
spectrum and
managing satellite
orbital frequencies
‘Committed to
Connecting the
World’
Bridging the digital
divide
Establishing global
standards
02 How we got here
timeline
02 How we got here
timeline
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
We were
founded
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
We were
founded
1880
Invention
of radio
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
1906
We were
founded
First SOS
1880
Invention
of radio
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
1906
We were
founded
First SOS
1880
Invention
of radio
1925
First TV
broadcast
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
1932
1906
We were
founded
First SOS
1880
Invention
of radio
ITU
1925
First TV
broadcast
New name: International
Telecommunication Union
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1865
1932
1906
We were
founded
First SOS
1880
Invention
of radio
ITU
1925
First TV
broadcast
New name: International
Telecommunication Union
1957
Space age
comms
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1969
Internet
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973
First mobile
phone call
1969
Internet
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973
First mobile
phone call
1969
Internet
2003/5
WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973
2010
First mobile
phone call
1969
Internet
Broadband
Commission
2003/5
WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973
2010
First mobile
phone call
1969
Internet
Broadband
Commission
2003/5
WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
2014
ICT innovation
for the future
ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973
2010
First mobile
phone call
1969
Internet
2015
Broadband
Commission
2003/5
WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
Let’s
celebrate!
2014
ICT innovation
for the future
03 Where are we?
presence
03 Where are we?
presence
ITU at a glance
03 Where are we?
PRESENCE
ITU at a glance
03 Where are we?
PRESENCE
ITU at a glance
03 Where are we?
PRESENCE
ITU at a glance
03 Where are we?
PRESENCE
04 Meet us
who are we?
04 Meet us
who are we?
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU is the United Nations
specialized agency for
information and communication
technologies (ICTs)
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU is the United Nations
specialized agency for
information and communication
technologies (ICTs)
Promoting global
collaboration for
a connected
world
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Our numbers
193
MEMBER
STATES
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Our numbers
193 700+
MEMBER
STATES
PRIVATE SECTOR
ORGANIZATIONS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Our numbers
193 700+ 90+
MEMBER
STATES
PRIVATE SECTOR
ORGANIZATIONS
ACADEMIA
MEMBERS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Officials
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Officials
ELECTED
OFFICIALS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Officials
ELECTED
OFFICIALS
SecretaryGeneral
Deputy
SecretaryGeneral
Director of the
Director of the
Telecommunication
Radiocommunication
Development
Bureau (BR)
Director of the
Telecommunication Bureau (BDT)
Standardization
Bureau (TSB)
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Officials
ELECTED
OFFICIALS
SecretaryGeneral
Deputy
SecretaryGeneral
Director of the
Director of the
Telecommunication
Radiocommunication
Development
Bureau (BR)
Director of the
Telecommunication Bureau (BDT)
Standardization
Bureau (TSB)
DURATION
A maximum of two
four-year terms in
any elected post
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Council
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Council
MEMBERS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Council
Africa (13 seats)
Western Europe
(8 seats)
Americas (9 seats)
MEMBERS
Eastern Europe
(5 seats)
Asia and Australasia
(13 seats)
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
ITU Council
DURATION
Africa (13 seats)
Western Europe
(8 seats)
Americas (9 seats)
MEMBERS
Eastern Europe
(5 seats)
Asia and Australasia
(13 seats)
Elected for a
four-year term
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
Radio Regulations Board (RRB)
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
Radio Regulations Board (RRB)
MEMBERS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
Radio Regulations Board (RRB)
2
2
3
3
MEMBERS
2
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
ITU Elections
Radio Regulations Board (RRB)
2
DURATION
2
2
MEMBERS
3
3
A maximum of two
four-year terms in
any elected post
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Organization
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Organization
SECTORS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Organization
SECTORS
ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?
Organization
SECTORS
Each sector has
separate mandate,
but all work
cohesively towards
connecting the world
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-R
/RADIOCOMMUNICATION/
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-R
/RADIOCOMMUNICATION/
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
KEY
ROLE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
KEY
ROLE
Global management of radiofrequency spectrum and satellite
orbital frequencies
Ensures equal and efficient use of
radio-frequency spectrum to
accommodate huge growth in
demand for spectrum
ITU-R coordination of orbital slots
prevents radio interference
preventing malfunctioning of
satellite services
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced
technical frameworks underpin
mobile 3G and 4G networks
Excellent track record in maintaining
harmonious satellite coordination
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION
CONFERENCE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION
CONFERENCE
Reviews and revises the Radio
Regulations in a rapidly evolving
market for wireless devices and
services
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION
CONFERENCE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - R
WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION
CONFERENCE
Ensures reliable radio services
remain available at all times
Addresses all
radiocommunication matters of a
global nature
Reviews and instructs the Radio
Regulations Board (RRB) and the
Radiocommunication Bureau
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-T
/STANDARDIZATION/
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-T
/STANDARDIZATION/
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
KEY
ROLE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
KEY
ROLE
Crucial role in defining operation
and interoperability of
technologies that underpin global
communications network
200-300 new global standards
approved every year, with over
4,000 in use today
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
KEY
ROLE
Standards enable global
communications by ensuring ICT
networks and devices speak the
same language globally.
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
PKI
Public-key
infrastructure,
central to
e-commerce
H.264
The Emmy
award-winning
video codec
and its
successor,
H.265
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
WORLD
TELECOMMUNICATION
STANDARDIZATION
ASSEMBLY
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - T
WORLD
TELECOMMUNICATION
STANDARDIZATION
ASSEMBLY
Draws up the ITU-T Action
Plan
Sets ITU-T Study Group top
priorities and questions
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-D
/DEVELOPMENT/
05 Meet the sectors
ITU-D
/DEVELOPMENT/
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
KEY
ROLE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
KEY
ROLE
Promotes equitable and affordable
access to telecommunications to help
stimulate social and economic
development
Fosters human capacity-building
in developing and least developed
countries (LDCs)
Helps to ensure that people
everywhere are empowered to
reap the benefits that
connectivity delivers
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
Measuring the Information Society
report (ICT Development Index)
Enhancing cybersecurity in LDCs
– CIRT programme and cyber-drills
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
MAJOR
ACHIEVEMENTS
Providing vital emergency
telecommunications
to assist rescue and relief operations in the
immediate aftermath of a disaster
Helps bridge the gender divide and
has equipped over 1m women with
digital literacy skills
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
WORLD
TELECOMMUNICATION
DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE
ITU at a glance
05 Meet the sectors
ITU - D
WORLD
TELECOMMUNICATION
DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE
WTDC mandates an Action Plan
Sets the Bureau’s Study Group
questions
06 Our work
Study Groups
06 Our work
Study Groups
ITU at a glance
06 Our work
STUDY GROUPS
Bring together experts from public
and private sectors and academia
Companies that compete
aggressively in the marketplace,
work collaboratively within ITU
Study Groups
07 Our areas of action
climate
change
07 Our areas of action
climate
change
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CLIMATE CHANGE
ICTs & GHG
emissions
2010
2-2.5%
current ICT
contribution to
total GHG
emissions
2020
16.5%
smart use of
ICTs could cut
projected
emissions by
16.5% by 2020
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CLIMATE CHANGE
Consumption
reduction
Smart solutions
to reduce GHG
in other
industries
Smart grids
Focus Groups on
Smart Sustainable
Cities and Smart
Water
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CLIMATE CHANGE
Energy
efficiency
Reduce carbon
footprint of ICT
sector
Toolkit on
Environmental
Sustainability
for the ICT
Sector
Next Generation
Networks (NGN)
07 Our areas of action
emergency
telecoms
07 Our areas of action
emergency
telecoms
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
EMERGENCY TELECOMS
Disasters
In times of disaster,
communication
links are essential
to humanitarian
efforts
1
1
ITU framework
for
Cooperation in
Emergencies
2
Standards for
interconnection and
call prioritization
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
EMERGENCY TELECOMS
Disasters
In times of disaster,
communication
links are essential
to humanitarian
efforts
1
3
Effective
frequency
use for
emergencies
4
Disaster-resilient
networks
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
EMERGENCY TELECOMS
Disasters
In times of disaster,
communication
links are essential
to humanitarian
efforts
1
5
Telecommunication
equipment for
relief efforts
6
Rehabilitation of
affected networks
07 Our areas of action
cybersecurity
07 Our areas of action
cybersecurity
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CYBERSECURITY
Global
Cybersecurity
Agenda
Disruption to ICTs
in national
infrastructure can
mean catastrophic
interruption of
essential services
64
9 + 6 Under
construction
Cybersecurity
country
assessments
conducted
National CIRTs to
strengthen
Computer
Incident
Response
networks
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CYBERSECURITY
Global
Cybersecurity
Agenda
Disruption to ICTs
in national
infrastructure can
mean catastrophic
interruption of
essential services
90+
Cyberdrills
conducted
involving more
than 100
countries
Global
Cybersecurity
Index measures
each nation’s
level of
readiness
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CYBERSECURITY
Global
Cybersecurity
Agenda
Disruption to ICTs
in national
infrastructure can
mean catastrophic
interruption of
essential services
3
Enhancing
Cybersecurity in
Least Developed
Countries
ITU Regional
Cybersecurity
Centres in Oman,
Malaysia and
Nigeria
07 Our areas of action
accessibility
07 Our areas of action
accessibility
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
ACCESIBILITY
Disability &
inclusiveness
ICT sector can help
remove
communication
barriers faced by
people with
disabilities
1
Lobbying for
mainstreaming
the use of
‘universal
design
principles’
2
Innovations such
as the raised
‘bump’ on #5 key
on devices
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
ACCESIBILITY
Disability &
inclusiveness
ICT sector can help
remove
communication
barriers faced by
people with
disabilities
3
Developing new
digital TV and
radio systems and
wireless hearing
aids
4
‘Access to
telecommunication/
ICT services by
persons with
disabilities and
with special needs’
report
07 Our areas of action
broadband
07 Our areas of action
broadband
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
BROADBAND
Advocacy
Targets
Broadband is vital
for achieving
Sustainable
Development
Goals (SDGs)
1
2
Availability
Affordability
3
Gender
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
BROADBAND
Guide &
Regulations
ITU reports and
analyses the state of
broadband
deployment globally,
and provides key
guidance to regulators
Technical
standards for
fixed and mobile
broadband &
Regulatory
Toolkit
The State of
Broadband
Report by the
Broadband
Commission for
Digital
Development
07 Our areas of action
youth
07 Our areas of action
youth
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
YOUTH
Digital
Users
Today’s youth are
the most connected
& digitally literate
generation that has
ever lived
45%
Under-25 year
olds accounted
for 45% of global
Internet users
by early 2012
30%
30% of the
world’s youth are
‘digital natives’
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
YOUTH
Initiatives &
opportunities
Digital
inclusion
ITU is actively
engaged with
young people
through a range
of initiatives
BYND2015
Youth
Summit
and Girls in
ICT Day
Innovation
Young
Innovators
Programme
and crowdsourcing
initiatives
Research
& analysis
‘Digital
Opportunities:
Innovative ICT
Solutions for
Youth
Employment’
2014
07 Our areas of action
gender
07 Our areas of action
gender
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
GENDER
Gender
divide
ITU
programmes
Estimated 200
million fewer
women online than
men in 2013
GEM-Tech
Awards
Over 1 million
women trained in
digital literacy
through partnership
with Telecenter.org
Foundation
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
GENDER
Gender
divide
ITU
programmes
Estimated 200
million fewer
women online than
men in 2013
Girls in ICT Day – over
110,000 girls in 140
countries around the
world encouraged to
study STEM and take
up ICT careers
07 Our areas of action
digital divide
07 Our areas of action
digital divide
ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
DIGITAL DIVIDE
World
connection
60% of the world’s
population still
not online
ICTs improve
access to basic
services like
education and
healthcare, create
jobs, and empower
communities
Connect the World
initiative: Regional
Summits mobilizing
resources and
partnerships for ICT
development
08 What we do
events
08 What we do
events
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS
Global
Symposium
for
Regulators
/ GSR
The only event to unite
the global community
of ICT regulators to
examine and debate
the latest ICT
regulatory challenges
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS
World Conference
on International
Telecommunications
(WCIT)
Reviewed the
International
Telecommunication
Regulations (ITRs) in
2012 to help improve
global connectivity
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS
World
Telecommunication
Policy Forum
(WTPF)
A high-level
international event
designed to stimulate
discussion on
emerging ICT policy
and regulatory matters
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS
World Summit on
the Information
Society
(WSIS)
Held in Geneva in 2003
& Tunis in 2005, WSIS
established
internationally agreed
foundations for the
Information Society to
ensure digital
opportunities for all.
WSIS Forum is held
annually to review the
implementation of the
Summit outcomes.
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS
World
Telecommunication
and Information
Society Day
(WTISD)
WTISD
Held annually on 17 May
to mark the founding of
ITU in 1865.
Aims to promote
awareness about the
benefits of ICTs for
societies and economies,
and ways to bridge the
digital divide
08 What we do
telecom world
08 What we do
ITU Telecom
World
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
TELECOM WORLD
An annual event offering a
platform for strategic
debate, innovationshowcasing and
networking for the global
ICT community
A unique mix of public and
private sector leaders
work together to drive the
success of the sector
ITU at a glance
08 What we do
TELECOM WORLD
Integrates a world-class
forum of interactive
debates with an exhibition
of innovations,
investment and
partnership opportunities
from around the world and
across the industry
09 What we do
ICT discovery
09 What we do
ICT discovery
ITU at a glance
09 What we do
ICT DISCOVERY
A visitor centre dedicated to
the history of
telecommunications which
showcases the evolution and
exciting future of ICTs – and
the role of ITU in helping
connect the world.
Located at ITU Geneva
headquarters
09 What we do
publications
09 What we do
publications
ITU at a glance
09 What we do
PUBLICATIONS
4.500 +
Titles
ITU NEWS
ITU News keeps
readers up-to-date
with news from ITU
and the ICT sector
from around the
world
ITU at a glance
09 What we do
PUBLICATIONS
The three sectors
publish a variety of
general, regulatory
and conference
publications
ITU-R
Radio Regulations
ITU-T
‘ITU-T
Recommendations and
selected Handbooks - DVDCD-ROM’
ITU-D
Annual ‘Measuring the
Information Society’ (MIS)
report
09 What we do
broadband
commission
09 What we do
broadband
commission
ITU at a glance
09 What we do
1
Set up by ITU
and UNESCO
to promote
broadband as a
key facilitator
to achieving
global
development
2
Working
groups on key
issues such
as
Education,
Gender and
Sustainable
Development
3
Monitors global
advocacy
targets to
ensure full
participation
in the
Information
Society
07
ITU’s WORLD
In an increasingly interconnected world, ITU plays a
more essential role than ever – ensuring standards
for interoperability, fair allocation of spectrum
resources, and the bridging of the digital divide.
www.itu.int