Global ICT development and ITU

Telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICT) are amongst the main drivers for the social and economic development of mankind and play a vital role in enhancing access to basic services in all sectors of life and in meeting the targets in millennium development goals. With almost half of the world's population having access to mobile cellular services, the increasing and sustained growth in Internet usage and broadband deployment, ITU, as the leading United Nations Agency in ICTs with a mission to connect the unconnected, is playing a leading role in the global coordination of activities and initiatives aimed at using ICTs to contribute towards solutions to a number of global issues. As the oldest UN agency, with a global presence and a membership that includes 191 countries and 700 sector members, ITU's mission is to bring the benefits of ICTs to the world's inhabitants. Global issues as the digital divide, cyber-insecurity, emergency telecommunications and climate change are high priorities in the agenda of ITU and central to its strategies and work programmes. In its unique role in the global management of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for fixed, mobile, broadcasting, amateur, space research, ITU activities pave the way for the current and future landscapes of mobile and wireless communications worldwide. Through its global telecom forums and exhibitions, ITU brings together policy makers and industry leaders to showcase technologies and discuss global policies and strategies.