ITU

At -26 this week, we launched the ITU Youth Digital Hubs in collaboration with the Global Youth Leadership Development Council to create a global network of youth-led community spaces in universities worldwide! These hubs will give students real access to digital resources, learning, and opportunities to shape the future of technology.

Connecting women, exchanging perspectives and building momentum. 🌍✨
The Network of Women breakfast at -26 brought 150 participants together on the road to PP-26—helping strengthen women’s voices in shaping our digital future.

Finalists announced for the Digital@UNGA Awards! Discover now and get inspired by the digital initiatives, policies, partnerships & leaders making waves across digital inclusion, government, emerging frontiers and youth-led innovation.

https://www.itu.int/initiatives/digital-unga2026/awards/about-awards/

Digital companies step up climate commitments, but emission reductions still lag
https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2026-09-02-greening-digital-companies.aspx
AI’s growing energy demand highlights urgency to align digital opportunities with climate goals.

begins today in Nassau, The Bahamas 🇧🇸 , bringing together governments, industry, academia, civil society & the technical community to explore how digital technologies can support a more inclusive, sustainable, resilient & innovative future.

https://wtpf.itu.int/2026/

🗓️ ITU & GSMA announce Doha (8-10 November 2026) to co-locate alongside the ITU -26 (9-27 November 2026), bringing together the global digital sector for a pivotal month of digital policy engagement & connectivity showcases in Doha.

https://www.itu.int/hub/2026/09/mobile-world-congress-co-locates-with-itu-plenipotentiary-in-doha/

Ahead of -26, the Strategic Dialogue in Nassau, The Bahamas, brought together global leaders to shape discussions on our digital future, while elevating the voices of and other vulnerable economies.

📸More photo highlights here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/itupictures/albums/72177720335381511/

Hosting a digital-related event during this year? Have it featured as an Affiliate Session of the Digital@UNGA Programme!

Showcase your solutions, partnerships & innovations for a more inclusive, trusted, and people-centered Digit'all Future
👉http://www.itu.int/go/affiliatedigitalunga

Space and satellites are crucial to ensure the whole world can get online. Global coverage means digital connectivity can now reach unserved and underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure is hard to deploy.

Satellite technologies and services are helping:

🛰️ Extend broadband access even to the world’s hardest-to-reach communities.

🛰️ Enhance early warning systems and strengthen disaster response for everyone.

🛰️ Keep maritime operations, aviation and emergency services more connected than ever before.

But the rapidly evolving orbital landscape raises serious questions about spectrum management, regulatory frameworks, investment models and the long-term sustainability of space activities.

Stronger international cooperation on space-based connectivity is crucial to build an inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital future.

Space connectivity is one of five key topics at the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2026 (WTPF-26) taking place in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 2 to 4 September.



Discussions on space networks and sustainability challenges will help shape a -26 Opinion offering policy guidance for countries and organizations worldwide on space connectivity.

Explore the full thematic area: https://wtpf.itu.int/2026/about/thematic-areas/space-connectivity/

More than ¾ of humanity is now connected – but closing today’s digital divides is harder than ever. Beyond global gaps in connectivity, disparities persist in digital skills, affordability, user ages, and Internet usage by women and girls.

Closing today’s digital divides will take holistic policies that do more than roll out infrastructure, ensuring people can meaningfully participate in the growing digital economy and society.

That's the thinking behind Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC), a framework for addressing these interrelated challenges by:
🔍Expanding affordable access and services.
🔍Strengthening digital skills.
🔍 Promoting inclusive digital ecosystems.

Bridging digital divides is one of five key topics at the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2026 ( -26) taking place in Nassau, The Bahamas, from 2 to 4 September.

Discussions on today’s connectivity challenges will help shape a WTPF-26 Opinion, offering policy guidance for countries worldwide on bridging digital divides.

Explore the topic in depth: https://wtpf.itu.int/2026/about/thematic-areas/bridging-digital-divides/