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

Bridging the digital

‘Committed to divide
Connecting the
World’
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
We were 1906
founded First SOS

1880
Invention
of radio
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE

1865
We were 1906
founded First SOS

1880 1925
Invention First TV
of radio broadcast
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE

1865 1932
We were 1906 New name: International
founded First SOS ITU Telecommunication Union

1880 1925
Invention First TV
of radio broadcast
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE

1865 1932
We were 1906 New name: International
founded First SOS ITU Telecommunication Union

1880 1925 1957

Invention First TV Space age
of radio broadcast 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 2003/5
Internet WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973 2010
First mobile Broadband
phone call Commission

1969 2003/5
Internet WSIS/ Bridging
the Digital
Divide
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973 2010
First mobile Broadband
phone call Commission

1969 2003/5 2014

Internet WSIS/ Bridging ICT innovation
the Digital for the future
Divide
 ITU at a glance
02 How we got here
TIMELINE
1973 2010 2015
First mobile Broadband Let’s
phone call Commission celebrate!

1969 2003/5 2014

Internet WSIS/ Bridging ICT innovation
the Digital for the future
Divide
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 Promoting global

specialized agency for collaboration for
information and communication a connected
technologies (ICTs) 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 Secretary- Deputy
General Secretary-
General

ELECTED Director of the Director of the

OFFICIALS Radiocommunication Telecommunication
Bureau (BR) Director of the Development
Telecommunication Bureau (BDT)
Standardization
Bureau (TSB)
 ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?

ITU Elections
ITU Officials Secretary- Deputy DURATION
General Secretary-
General

ELECTED Director of the Director of the

OFFICIALS Radiocommunication Telecommunication
Bureau (BR) Director of the Development A maximum of two
Telecommunication Bureau (BDT) four-year terms in
Standardization any elected post
Bureau (TSB)
 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
Western Europe
Africa (13 seats) (8 seats)

Americas (9 seats)
MEMBERS

Eastern Europe Asia and Australasia

(5 seats) (13 seats)
 ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?

ITU Elections
ITU Council DURATION
Western Europe
Africa (13 seats) (8 seats)

Americas (9 seats)
MEMBERS Elected for a
four-year term

Eastern Europe Asia and Australasia

(5 seats) (13 seats)
 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 2
MEMBERS

3 3
 ITU at a glance
04 Meet us
WHO ARE WE?

ITU Elections
Radio Regulations Board (RRB) DURATION

2 2 2
MEMBERS

A maximum of two
four-year terms in
3 3 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

Each sector has

separate mandate,
but all work
SECTORS 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 radio-
frequency 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 H.264
Public-key The Emmy
infrastructure, award-winning
central to video codec
e-commerce 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 2010 2020

emissions

2-2.5% 16.5%
current ICT smart use of
contribution to ICTs could cut
total GHG projected
emissions emissions by
16.5% by 2020
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CLIMATE CHANGE

Consumption
reduction

Smart solutions Smart grids Focus Groups on

to reduce GHG Smart Sustainable
in other Cities and Smart
industries Water
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CLIMATE CHANGE

Energy
efficiency

Reduce carbon Toolkit on Next Generation

footprint of ICT Environmental Networks (NGN)
sector Sustainability
for the ICT
Sector
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 1 1 2
In times of disaster, ITU framework Standards for
communication for interconnection and
links are essential Cooperation in call prioritization
to humanitarian Emergencies
efforts
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
EMERGENCY TELECOMS

Disasters 1 3 4
In times of disaster, Effective Disaster-resilient
communication frequency networks
links are essential use for
to humanitarian emergencies
efforts
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
EMERGENCY TELECOMS

Disasters 1 5 6
In times of disaster, Telecommunication Rehabilitation of
communication equipment for affected networks
links are essential relief efforts
to humanitarian
efforts
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 64 9 + 6 Under
construction

Disruption to ICTs Cybersecurity National CIRTs to

in national country strengthen
infrastructure can assessments Computer
mean catastrophic conducted Incident
interruption of Response
essential services networks
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CYBERSECURITY

Global
Cybersecurity
Agenda 90+
Disruption to ICTs Cyberdrills Global
in national conducted Cybersecurity
infrastructure can involving more Index measures
mean catastrophic than 100 each nation’s
interruption of countries level of
essential services readiness
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
CYBERSECURITY

Global
Cybersecurity
Agenda 3
Disruption to ICTs Enhancing ITU Regional
in national Cybersecurity in Cybersecurity
infrastructure can Least Developed Centres in Oman,
mean catastrophic Countries Malaysia and
interruption of Nigeria
essential services
07 Our areas of action
accessibility
07 Our areas of action
accessibility
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
ACCESIBILITY

Disability &
inclusiveness 1 2
ICT sector can help Lobbying for Innovations such
remove mainstreaming as the raised
communication the use of ‘bump’ on #5 key
barriers faced by ‘universal on devices
people with design
disabilities principles’
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
ACCESIBILITY

Disability &
inclusiveness 3 4
ICT sector can help Developing new ‘Access to
remove digital TV and telecommunication/
communication radio systems and ICT services by
barriers faced by wireless hearing persons with
people with aids disabilities and
disabilities 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 1 2 3
Broadband is vital Availability Affordability Gender
for achieving
Sustainable
Development
Goals (SDGs)
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
BROADBAND

Guide &
Regulations

ITU reports and Technical The State of

analyses the state of standards for Broadband
broadband fixed and mobile Report by the
deployment globally, broadband & Broadband
and provides key Regulatory Commission for
guidance to regulators Toolkit 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 45% 30%
Today’s youth are Under-25 year 30% of the
the most connected olds accounted world’s youth are
& digitally literate for 45% of global ‘digital natives’
generation that has Internet users
ever lived by early 2012
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
YOUTH

Initiatives & Digital Research

opportunities inclusion Innovation & analysis

ITU is actively BYND2015 Young ‘Digital

engaged with Youth Innovators Opportunities:
young people Summit Programme Innovative ICT
through a range and Girls in and crowd- Solutions for
of initiatives ICT Day sourcing Youth
initiatives 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 ITU
divide programmes

Estimated 200 GEM-Tech Over 1 million

million fewer Awards women trained in
women online than
digital literacy
men in 2013
through partnership
with Telecenter.org
Foundation
 ITU at a glance
07 Our areas of action
GENDER

Gender ITU
divide programmes

Estimated 200 Girls in ICT Day – over

million fewer 110,000 girls in 140
women online than countries around the
men in 2013
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 ICTs improve Connect the World
population still access to basic initiative: Regional
not online
services like Summits mobilizing
education and resources and
healthcare, create partnerships for ICT
jobs, and empower development
communities
08 What we do
events
08 What we do
events
 ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS

Global The only event to unite

Symposium the global community
for of ICT regulators to
Regulators examine and debate
/ GSR
the latest ICT
regulatory challenges
 ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS

World Conference Reviewed the

on International International
Telecommunications Telecommunication
(WCIT) Regulations (ITRs) in
2012 to help improve
global connectivity
 ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS

World A high-level
Telecommunication international event
Policy Forum designed to stimulate
(WTPF) discussion on
emerging ICT policy
and regulatory matters
 ITU at a glance
08 What we do
EVENTS

World Summit on Held in Geneva in 2003

the Information & Tunis in 2005, WSIS
Society established
(WSIS) 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 Held annually on 17 May

Telecommunication to mark the founding of
and Information ITU in 1865.
Society Day
(WTISD)
Aims to promote
awareness about the
WTISD 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, innovation-
showcasing 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 + ITU NEWS

Titles 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 ITU-R Radio Regulations

publish a variety of
general, regulatory
and conference ITU-T ‘ITU-T
publications Recommendations and
selected Handbooks - DVD-
CD-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 2 3
Set up by ITU Working Monitors global
and UNESCO groups on key advocacy
to promote issues such targets to
broadband as a as ensure full
key facilitator Education, participation
to achieving Gender and in the
global Sustainable Information
development Development 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