ITU or International Telecommunication Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for coordinating global telecommunications and information and communication technology (ICT) issues. It was established in 1865 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The ITU is one of the oldest international organizations and serves as the primary global forum for governments, regulators, industry stakeholders, and other stakeholders to collaborate on telecommunications and ICT matters.
Over the years, ITU has played an active role in developing international standards (Recommendations) for telecommunications and ICT systems and services, to enable interoperability, compatibility, and efficiency in global communications networks.
Apart from that, ITU also manages the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits for terrestrial and space-based telecommunications services and provides assistance and support to developing countries in building and modernizing their telecommunications and ICT infrastructure.
The ITU serves as a platform for global policy coordination and cooperation on telecommunications and ICT-related issues. It convenes international conferences, forums, and meetings where governments, industry stakeholders, and other entities discuss and negotiate agreements, regulations, and policies to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the digital age.