By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent

On 17 May, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) with a spotlight on older persons and health ageing.

The annual celebration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) marks the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.

WTISD-22 puts the spotlight on “Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing”, reflecting a defining demographic trend of the 21st century. More than a billion people around the world are currently aged 60 years or older. Amid the overall ageing of the global population, ITU is promoting digital solutions as a key element in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.

Yet societies struggle to recognize the opportunities that this trend can unleash. Telecommunications and ICTs can support healthier ageing, as well as help to build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination in the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.