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You will find latest developments about the WSIS+20 overall review by the United Nations General Assembly on this page
Elements Paper for the WSIS+20 overall review by the United Nations General Assembly is now available
The Co-Facilitators of the WSIS+20 review process have released the Elements Paper. The paper outlines key themes, priorities, and proposals drawn from preparatory discussions and stakeholder consultations to date. It is intended to guide continued dialogue with Member States and stakeholders in the coming months.
Written inputs are invited from all stakeholders until 15 July 2025 via the dedicated submission form.
The Elements Paper is available here.
WSIS+20 Co-Facilitators Launch Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB) – Call for Interest
The Co-Facilitators of the WSIS+20 Review are pleased to announce the establishment of the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB) — an informal stakeholder mechanism designed to serve as a channel for diverse multistakeholder perspectives, not a formal advisory group.
Composed of non-governmental members of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and Leadership Panel (LP), the IMSB will contribute to a transparent, inclusive, and responsive WSIS+20 review process.
Role and Functions:
- Assist the Co-Facilitators informally by offering stakeholder-informed perspectives on key issues under negotiation, based on consolidated feedback from civil society, technical communities, academia, the private sector, youth, and other relevant non-governmental actors.
- Synthesize contributions from multistakeholder consultations into actionable advice, reflections, and written notes.
- Promote inclusivity by ensuring dialogue across regions, sectors, and traditionally underrepresented voices, with particular emphasis on the participation of women and girls, especially from the developing countries.
Gender parity and geographical representation are essential requirements for the formation of the group. Its establishment will proceed only if these conditions are met.
Participation is open to all eligible non-governmental members of the 2025 IGF MAG and LP.
Terms of Reference of the IMSB are available here.
Interested individuals are invited to email @email by 25 June 2025.
Tentative speaker list is now public for the WSIS+20 virtual stakeholder consultation sessions (9-10 June 2025)
The two-day virtual consultation will be divided into two sessions to accommodate different geographic regions and time zones.
- Session 1 - 9 June 2025 8pm EST for stakeholders from East and South Asia, Oceania, and the Americas
- Session 2 - 10 June 2025 10am EST for stakeholders from Africa, West Asia, Europe, and the Americas
The Secretariat, under the guidance of the Office of the President of the General Assembly and the WSIS+20 Co-Facilitators, has compiled a tentative speakers list for each session, available here.
Statements will be limited to 3 minutes. The second session, scheduled for 10 June, will begin with interventions from UN agencies, each allotted a maximum of 5 minutes.
If time permits, the Co-Facilitators will open the floor at the end of each session for additional speakers who have expressed interest in taking the floor.
If not all registered speakers are able to deliver their statements due to time constraints, all written statements will be published online.
1st Preparatory Meeting & Stocktaking Session - 30 May 2025
The first preparatory meeting for the WSIS+20 General Assembly overall review will take place on 30 May 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This meeting will provide an opportunity to hear views from Member States and observers on expectations for the WSIS+20 outcome and process. The session will also serve as a basis for the preparation of an elements paper to inform subsequent steps in the intergovernmental process. Please see details here.
WSIS+20 Co-Facilitators publish indicative roadmap of key steps
On 21 May 2025, the Co-Facilitators, H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, and H.E. Ms. Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania, presented a roadmap of key steps leading up to the draft outcome document of the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society. Please see here the Letter from the Co-Facilitators for the World Summit on the Information Society.
Appointment of Co-Facilitators for the WSIS+20 overall review by the United Nations General Assembly
On 23 April 2025, the President of the United Nations General Assembly has appointed H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, and H.E. Ms. Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations, as co-facilitators to lead the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society. Please see related letter here: Letter from President General Assembly on World Summit on the Information Society Co-Facilitators.
The Modalities Resolution (A/79/L.62) is adopted – 25 March 2025
The Modalities Resolution (A/79/L.62 [ LINK: n2506655.pdf] ) is adopted without a vote on 25 March 2025. The final resolution is published here: [ LINK: A/RES/79/277 ].
The Commission on Science and Technology for Development
In connection with the 28th annual session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) to be held on 7 to 11 April 2025, the UNCTAD secretariat circulated the following documents:
Programme of work for the commissionWSIS+20 final draft report prepared by the CSTD secretariat, which will be the background paper for the WSIS+20 discussion on 9 April.Explanatory note for the WSIS+20 discussion on 9 April
CSTD secretariat will hold, on 27 March from 10:00 to 12:00 in Room XXIII, an informal briefing on its draft WSIS+20 report and on the 28th annual session of the CSTD in general. Those who cannot attend the briefing in person will be able to listen to the live audio stream at https://listen-live.unog.ch/en/
Draft Modalities Resolution (A/79/L.62) to be Submitted for Consideration at GA Plenary on 25 March 2025
The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Philemon Yang, has circulated a letter announcing that the draft modalities resolution (A/79/L.62) for the WSIS+20 review will be submitted for consideration at a plenary meeting on 25 March 2025 at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall.
The resolution, led by co-facilitators H.E. Mr. Erastus Lokaale (Kenya) and H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas (Lithuania), outlines the framework for reviewing WSIS implementation. Please find more details here: Letter from President of General Assembly on World Summit Information on the Information Society Modalities.
The agenda to the plenary meeting is available at UN Journal
For more information, please visit: Draft Modalities Resolution A/79/L.62
Next reading of the modalities resolution will take place on 7 March 2025
Please be advised that, as announced by the Co-Facilitators on 26 February 2025, the next reading will take place on Friday, 7 March at 10 a.m. in Conference Room 3.
Letter from President General Assembly on World Summit on the Information Society – Zero draft (Modalities Resolution) – 7 February 2025
The Co-facilitators of the intergovernmental consultations to finalize the modalities for the overall review by the General Assembly of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society presented a timeline and also circulated the Zero Draft of the modalities. For further details, please visit the Letter from President General Assembly on World Summit on the Information Society – Zero draft | General Assembly of the United Nations.
Appointment of Co-Facilitators for WSIS+20 Modalities Review - 20 January 2025
The President of the United Nations General Assembly has appointed H.E. Mr. Erastus Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuania, as co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations to finalize the modalities for the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This appointment follows the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 79/194 on 19 December 2024. Please see the related letter here: Letter from President General Assembly on WSIS Co facilitator appointment | General Assembly of the United Nations
PGA Highlights Digital Divides and WSIS at UN General Assembly Briefing - New York, 14 January 2025
In remarks delivered during the briefing on the priorities for the resumed part of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Philemon Yang, underscored the critical need to address global digital divides. “Our efforts to advance these aims will be doomed unless we also bridge digital divides and improve accessibility for everyone, everywhere,” said the PGA, emphasizing the essential role of inclusivity in achieving broader UN objectives. The President also highlighted the importance of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), scheduled to take place later this year, as a transformative platform to advance global efforts in fostering a free, open, and secure digital future. “The World Summit on Information Society later this year presents a pivotal opportunity to advance our efforts to create a free, open, and secure digital future for all,” he stated. The PGA's remarks reflect the UN's ongoing commitment to addressing pressing challenges in the digital landscape, aligning with global efforts to ensure equitable access to information and communication technologies for sustainable development. To read the full remarks, visit the UN General Assembly President's official page.
The UN GA adopts ICTs for Sustainable Development Resolution - 19 December 2024
The UN General Assembly Resolution 79/194, titled “Information and Communications Technologies for Sustainable Development,” was adopted on December 19, 2024, based on the report of the Second Committee (A/79/434, para. 21). This resolution outlines the roadmap for WSIS+20. In accordance with paragraph 71 of General Assembly Resolution 70/125, it decides that the General Assembly will finalize the modalities for the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society as early as possible, but no later than the end of March 2025. The resolution further invites the President of the General Assembly to appoint two co-facilitators to convene open intergovernmental consultations for this purpose, ensuring the input and participation of all stakeholders in both the review and preparatory processes (paragraph 62). Final negotiations are scheduled to take place during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
The UN GA Second Committee adopts ICTs for Sustainable Development Resolution - 26 Nov 2024
Para 61. Looks forward , in accordance with its resolution 70/125, to its high-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2025, involving the input and participation of all stakeholders, including in the preparatory process, to take stock of the progress on the outcomes of the World Summit and identify both areas of continued focus and challenges;
Para 62. Decides to finalize the modalities for the overall review by the General Assembly of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, in accordance with paragraph 71 of the General Assembly resolution 70/125, as early as possible, but no later than the end of March 2025, and invites the President of the General Assembly to appoint two co-facilitators to convene open intergovernmental consultations for that purpose, involving the input and participation of the stakeholders in the review process, including in the preparatory process;