On the evening of 17 July 2025, the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva co-organised an open-air screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at Parc de la Perle du Lac, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Ciné-Transat. The event was held in the context of the ITU’s 160th anniversary and aimed to highlight the importance of universal and inclusive connectivity.

E.T. phone home. That iconic line from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic took on new meaning last night as it resonated with the ITU’s motto: “Technology for all and for good.”

From 19:30 onwards, the park was filled with families enjoying kid-friendly activities and sharing picnic blankets in anticipation of the evening’s programme. As the sky darkened, guests were welcomed with opening remarks by ITU Deputy Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas and EU Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso.
 

This film reminds us, in the most touching way, that friendship, understanding, and connection can transcend even the greatest of distances. The European Union shares the ITU’s vision of digital transformation that leaves no one behind. Through partnerships across the UN system, we are working to ensure the digital future is inclusive, safe, and human-centric. 
| Ambassador Michele Cervone d'Urso

He also highlighted the EU’s leadership in setting the first global rules on Artificial Intelligence through the EU AI Act, reinforcing the message that innovation must go hand in hand with transparency, safety, and fundamental rights.

The screening itself brought magic and nostalgia to the night—eliciting laughter, a few tears, and heartfelt applause as the story of E.T. unfolded beneath the stars. It was a perfect reminder that while technology may advance, the human values of empathy, courage, and connection remain timeless.
 

Happy 160th Anniversary, ITU!
 

European Union