The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs).
ITU is committed to improving people's lives and making the world a better place through the use of telecommunications/ICTs. The Organization is made up of a membership of 193 Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations.
ITU has three main areas of activity organized in three Sectors:
- the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R);
- the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T); and
- the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D).
ITU-R plays a vital role in the global management of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources, with the mission to ensure their rational, equitable, efficient and economical use by all radiocommunication services.
ITU-T provides a unique forum for industry and government to work together to foster the development and use of interoperable, non-discriminatory and demand-driven international standards (known as ITU-T Recommendations).
ITU-D fosters international cooperation and solidarity in the delivery of technical assistance and in the creation, development and improvement of telecommunication/ICT equipment and networks in developing countries.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
- How does ITU’s work and activities specifically touch upon e-commerce and the digital economy?
To meet the expectations of a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, policymakers and regulators need to adapt and develop more flexible, innovative and light-handed regulatory frameworks expanding beyond the traditional core telecom sector to take into account the multi-facet and multi-stakeholder dimensions of the digital world.
ITU is working on policy and regulatory research, collecting data on the evolution of the Digital Ecosystem and the impact of ICTs on the national and international economy. Recognizing the importance of the new Digital Ecosystem and markets, including information on its evolution, key findings from publications and research, country case studies, as well as models to measure the impact of ICTs on the national economy.
The ITU Academy is the main online gateway to ITU’s capacity development activities. It brings together under one umbrella a wide range of training activities and knowledge resources in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and digital development.
ITU also collects and disseminates vital data and carries out world-class research to support evidence-based decision making towards universal and meaningful connectivity and sustained digital transformation.
Visiting Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp earlier this year, I was impressed by the determination of the inhabitants to keep up with digital innovations.
The camp’s digital hub was operating in high gear, with a range of courses on offer – from beginner-level to expert. I joined a class where refugee women were learning to navigate the Internet, engage in e-commerce, and use the common digital technologies mentioned in many employment listings.
