World Telecommunication Day 2026 to Spotlight Digital Resilience

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026 will be observed on Sunday, 17 May, under the theme “Digital Lifelines: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World”. The day will be marked through various programmes involving the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and relevant public and private sector organisations.

An inaugural ceremony has been arranged at the main conference hall of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in Agargaon, Dhaka. A two-day telecom fair will also be held at the BTRC premises on 17 and 18 May.

The event, to be chaired by Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi, will be attended by Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam as the chief guest. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad and Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Kazi Anwar Hossain will attend as special guests. BTRC Chairman Major General Md. Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.) will deliver the welcome speech.

To mark the occasion, a series of initiatives have been undertaken, including the publication of a special supplement, unveiling of commemorative postage stamps, publication of technology-focused souvenirs, essay competitions, special television discussion programmes, and the telecom fair. According to organisers, these activities aim to raise public awareness about the positive use of digital technologies, the progress of the telecommunications sector, and the development of a connected and resilient digital society.

In a video message issued on the occasion, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said digital connectivity is no longer merely a technological advantage, but a key foundation for human resilience, economic stability, and social security. She noted that building reliable digital infrastructure can help ensure crisis response, innovation, and inclusive development.

Following the inauguration ceremony, a seminar will be held based on the theme of the day. Moderated by BTRC Commissioner Mahmud Hossain, the seminar will focus on the importance of connectivity in the digital economy, digital payment systems, inclusive digital services, and technology-driven economic resilience.

The discussion session will feature ZTE Corporation Deputy Chief Technical Officer Syed Md. Shamsur Rahman, bKash Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer Major General Monirul Islam (Retd.), Grameenphone Chief Business Officer Dr. Asif Naimur Rashid, Bdjobs.com Co-founder and CEO A K M Fahim Mashroor, Robi Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam, InterCloud Limited Chief Executive Officer Hasibur Rashid, and Shikho Founder and CEO Shahir Chowdhury as panelists.

Notably, World Telecommunication Day has been observed since 1969 to commemorate the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union on 17 May 1865. Later, following a decision at the 2006 ITU conference, the day began being observed as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

DBTech/MA/MUM/OR