WSIS+20 Review Prepares for UNGA Meeting This December

This December, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will review how outcomes from the original World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) have been implemented over the past 20 years and assess progress. Focused on efforts to bridge the digital divide, enhance the role of ICTs in development, and address emerging challenges – including those related to AI governance, cybersecurity and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – the meeting will evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of existing WSIS frameworks, including the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), and propose updates to ensure they are fit for purpose.

The current WSIS+20 Zero Draft reaffirms global commitments to building inclusive, people-centred, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies. It emphasises the importance of universal, meaningful, and affordable access to digital technologies, while addressing persistent digital divides, particularly those affecting developing countries, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities. The draft recognises the need to align the WSIS outcomes with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Global Digital Compact (GDC).

Once finalised, it will be presented to UNGA in New York on 16-17 December 2025, where the future shape of the WSIS framework will be determined. Stakeholders from the public sector, private sector, civil society, academia, and intergovernmental organisations have submitted written inputs, and throughout October and November will be granted further opportunities to contribute to the revision of the draft through in-person and virtual consultations. This includes meetings to be held at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) 84^th Annual Meeting, 25-30 October, in Dublin.

All stakeholders are invited to hold a side event during the WSIS+20 Review to showcase innovations, raise and discuss emerging issues, or announce voluntary commitments that align with the WSIS Action Lines. The deadline for stakeholders to submit a side event proposal is 31 October 2025.These will be important opportunities to engage directly with delegates as they discuss and negotiate the WSIS+20 outcomes.