WSIS+20 UN GA High-Level-Meeting - Side Events

On the margins of the WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, a limited number of in-person, virtual, and off-site side events will be organized from 15 to 17 December 2025. These events provide space to share experiences, showcase innovations, identify emerging issues, and announce voluntary commitments towards a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.

The Secretariat received forty-six (46) side event proposals, out of which thirty-three (33) were selected.

The preliminary list of side events is available here.

The draft programme will be published by 21 November on this webpage.

Who can organize a side event

UN Member States, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), UN entities, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with ECOSOC consultative status.
Other stakeholders may be considered case by case.
Partnerships with UN Member States and among organizers are strongly encouraged.

Participation guidelines

Only successfully registered WSIS+20 participants can attend events at UN Headquarters (UNHQ).
In-person UNHQ events will be held in English, only, with no interpretation.
Charging a fee for participation in side events is strictly prohibited.

Selection criteria

Relevance to WSIS+20 themes.
Gender and geographic balance in speaker panels; including broad stakeholder participation.
Concrete success stories, innovations, and practical solutions.
Clear outcomes (e.g., announcements, commitments, follow-ups).
Preference for joint and innovative proposals.

Timeline

All submissions were reviewed by 14 November 2025.
Room assignments and timeslot allocation for UNHQ events will be announced shortly after the selection.
Final programme will be published mid November 2025.

Responsibilities of organizers

Cover all costs (travel, visas, logistics, etc.).
Manage side event promotion, invitations and note-taking.
Submit a 1-page summary of key messages within 2 working days for publication on the WSIS+20 website.

Disclaimer
Side events are organized independently. The UN is not responsible for their content or participants, and inclusion in the programme does not imply endorsement.