DHAKA & GLOBAL —Under the global theme “Digital Lifelines: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World,” nations worldwide—including Bangladesh—united on May 17 to celebrate the 57th World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD 2026). The celebrations marked a decisive shift from merely expanding basic internet access to building hyper-secure, crisis-resistant networks capable of safeguarding humanity during global emergencies.
Bangladesh’s Ambitious Vision for Digital Sovereignty-
In Dhaka, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) hosted a grand seminar and a two-day Telecom Fair featuring 30 premier tech institutions.
Government and telecom leaders outlined a major structural transformation to boost the telecom sector’s GDP contribution from 10% to 15%, aiming to position Bangladesh as a top 10 digital economy within the next decade. Key national announcements included:
“One Citizen, One Wallet, One ID”: A unified, secure national database to be deployed within two years.
National Data Bank: A centralized infrastructure to be launched within 20 months.Safety and Law Reforms: Cabinet ministers called for immediate updates to outdated telecom laws to protect women and children from online misinformation.
Infrastructure Expansion: Plans were revealed to deploy high-speed Wi-Fi across airports (including Dhaka’s Terminal 3), integrate IoT into disaster management, and shift toward a fully paperless, secure administration.
BTRC Chairman Major General Md. Emdad ul Bari (Retd.) reminded the audience that with 99% of international data traveling through 1.7 million kilometers of submarine cables, protecting this infrastructure is absolutely necessary to prevent catastrophic global economic breakdowns.
A United Global Front-
From the Middle East to Eurasia and the Americas, nations emphasized telecom’s role in public safety and emergency readiness. While countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar showcased rising resilience, India called for platform-led ecosystems, and China hosted the central WTISD conference in Wuhan to push for inclusive digital transitions.
UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action-
In his official message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recognized digital technologies as literal “lifelines” that connect people to safety and vital services during disasters. However, he warned that rising climate crises, cyber threats, and a widening AI divide threaten the most vulnerable.
“Digital infrastructure is an essential public good,” Guterres stated, urging global governments and the private sector to invest heavily in connectivity—from seabed cables to satellites—and to implement the Global Digital Compact for rights-based AI governance.
Honoring Heritage for Future Peace.
The event concluded by honoring the historical roots of the day, tracing back to the founding of the International Telegraph Union on May 17, 1865. Leaders reaffirmed that safe, robust, and universal digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental public good required for sustainable peace and global progress.
[ Peace News Desk ]