WSIS+20 overall review by the United Nations General Assembly

Background

WSIS commits to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life.

A major feature of the WSIS process was the unprecedented engagement of the private sector, civil society and technical communities in the preparation of the two phases of the Summit and in the Summit meetings themselves. As a result, the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society explicitly highlight the need to take the multi-stakeholder approach into account in all implementation and follow-up activities.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was held in two phases.

Geneva (2003) - The first phase of the Summit formulated a Plan of Action containing a number of indicative targets, to be achieved by 2015, that are to serve as global references for improving connectivity and access in the use of information and communication technologies. The Plan identified 11 action lines corresponding to the key principles of an “information society for all”, as formulated in the Declaration of Principles.

Geneva Declaration of Principles: Key principles for an information society for all.
Geneva Plan of Action: Translating the principles into WSIS Action Lines

Tunis (2005) - The second phase of the Summit focused on three major issues: financial mechanisms for meeting the challenges of information and communication technologies for development, Internet governance and implementation and follow-up.

Tunis Commitment: Reaffirming previous principles and commitments.
Tunis Agenda for the Information Society: Financial mechanisms for meeting challenges of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for development; internet governance & IGF; implementation and follow-up

The United Nations General Assembly overall review took place after ten years in 2015. The outcome document (A/RES/70/125) took stock of progress made, identified remaining gaps in information and communications technologies (ICTs), and outlined priority areas for continued focus. It also called for a high-level meeting in 2025 to review the overall implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), known as WSIS+20 Review.

Reaffirmation of WSIS Vision (A/RES/70/125): Reaffirmed commitment to people-centred, inclusive, development-oriented Information Society, as guiding vision.
ICTs and the 2030 Agenda (SDGs): Acknowledged role of ICTs as enablers to achieve 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Highlighted need to expand equitable access to affordable and reliable digital infrastructure + services, review in 2025.
Human Rights in the Digital Space: Called on states to ensure freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly, and right to privacy.
Inclusive Internet Governance: Reaffirmed that management of the Internet encompasses both technical and public policy issues, should involve all stakeholders. Recognized need for greater participation and engagement in IG discussions.
Cybersecurity and National Security: Recognized leading role for governments in matters related to national security and cybersecurity

Since 2005, the follow-up to WSIS has been led through the United Nations system. The Commission on Science and Technology for Development, or CSTD, was tasked with reviewing progress each year. It reports to the Economic and Social Council, which in turn informs the General Assembly. Each year, the CSTD brings together governments, UN bodies, and other stakeholders to assess how the WSIS commitments are being implemented—across regions, sectors, and technologies. See Reports of the UN Secretary-General on WSIS follow-up, UN GA Annual Resolutions on Information and communications technologies for sustainable development and ECOSOC Resolutions related to WSIS.

CSTD has also been requested by the UN Economic and Social Council Resolution E/RES/2023/3 to collect inputs from all WSIS stakeholders and organize discussions on WSIS+20 at its 27th Session in 2024 and 28th in 2025, and report thereon, through the Council, to the General Assembly. See also the WSIS+20 final draft report prepared by the CSTD secretariat.

United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) coordinates implementation among UN agencies. The Tunis Agenda requested the Secretary-General, in consultation with members of CEB, to establish within the Board a United Nations group on the information society, consisting of the relevant United Nations bodies and organizations with the mandate to facilitate the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit. In considering lead agencies for this work, the text stipulates that CEB should take into consideration the experience and activities of ITU, UNESCO and UNDP. Read more here.