17 July 2025The WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, held in Geneva from 7 to 11 July 2025, concluded last week, marking two decades since the inception of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Co-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation, and co-organised with ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, the event served as a vital multi-stakeholder platform for reflecting on global collaboration, digital inclusion, and leveraging technology for development. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions.
Key Highlights and Outcomes:Global Participation:
The event welcomed over 11,000 participants from 169 countries onsite, with many more joining virtually. This diverse gathering included 59 ministers and deputies, 56 regulators, more than 60 UN representatives, as well as CEOs, civil society leaders, youth, technical experts, and academics.
Reaffirming WSIS Principles:
Participants reaffirmed the WSIS principles, emphasising their continued relevance in shaping digital policy and implementation through multi-stakeholder collaboration. These principles are rooted in human rights, development, and multilateral co-operation.
Laying Groundwork for UN General Assembly Review:
The event laid the groundwork for the United Nations General Assembly’s 20-year review of the WSIS Process, a multi-stakeholder platform addressing challenges in digital development driven by advancing technologies. This review is scheduled for 16 and 17 December 2025, in New York.
Renewed Call for Digital Co-operation:
The Chair’s Summary, presented by H.E. Mr. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies of South Africa and Chair of WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, highlighted the indispensable role of existing mechanisms like the WSIS Forum and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), as well as initiatives like the AI for Good Global Summit. These platforms are crucial for implementing the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and translating its principles into measurable action. The Summary called for building on the last two decades with ‘WSIS Accelerating Vision & Empowerment’, an ambitious vision for the future of WSIS.
WSIS Action Lines:
Participants emphasised the importance of leveraging the WSIS Action Lines, 11 priority areas established in 2005 for UN efforts to connect technology and development. There was a strong movement to redouble efforts to implement these Action Lines in light of rapid technological change.
Diverse Engagements:
Over 200 sessions took place, including Leaders TalkX sessions, high-level dialogues, interactive sessions, knowledge cafés, and exhibitions. Highlights included keynote addresses, statements from UN leaders, and the WSIS Prizes 2025 which recognised 19 winners and 71 champions for their outstanding contributions to digital development.
Ministerial and Regulator Roundtables:
A Ministerial Roundtable, with 56 ministers and deputies, discussed national digital priorities, emerging digital trends, and the future of WSIS beyond 2025. The Regulators Roundtable brought together over 50 regulators to exchange insights on enabling innovation, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, and building capacity.
Youth Engagement:
More than 300 youth participants actively engaged in a dedicated Youth special track, contributing through high-level dialogues, knowledge cafés, interactive sessions, and exhibitions.
Strong Community:
The event demonstrated the ongoing vitality of the multi-stakeholder WSIS community in building a more inclusive and sustainable information society. As ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin stated, “governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, the technical community, and the United Nations reaffirmed our commitment to keep the WSIS spirit alive beyond 2025”. |
