Geneva

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was established in 1849 as the International Telegraph Union, making it the oldest UN specialised agency. In 1906, the International Radiotelegraph Union was also established, and the two international organisations were merged in 1932. In 1949, the ITU became a specialised agency of the UN in the field of telecommunications. The ITU has 194 members, including Estonia, which became a member in 1922 (see also the 1922 Telegraph Yearbook). Due to the Soviet occupation, Estonia was unable to exercise its membership until 1992.

The ITU is a UN specialised agency, whose activities are divided into three areas: radiocommunication (ITU-R), development (ITU-D), and standardisation (ITU-T). In addition to Member States, representatives of the private sector, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations also participate in the work of the ITU, contributing within the scope of their membership status. In representing Estonia’s interests in the ITU, the Permanent Mission cooperates with the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA). Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is an official partner of the ITU Academy, providing training on e-governance and IT solutions.