The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is celebrating the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2021 (WTISD), on May 17, under the theme "Accelerating Digital Transformation in challenging times."

WTISD has been celebrated annually every 17 May since 1969 to mark the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. The purpose of WTISD is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and ICT can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

WTISD 2021 is an opportunity for ITU membership to continue to push for digital transformation by promoting national strategies on ICT development, smart policies to encourage investments, cooperation and partnership.