Events

Informal interactive WSIS stakeholder consultation on the review of implementation of the outcomes of the WSIS+20

In preparation for the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on 16–17 December 2025 to review the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the President of the General Assembly will host an informal stakeholder consultation on 9 and 10 June 2025.

The consultation aims to gather input from all relevant WSIS stakeholders on the preparatory process for the review of the implementation of the WSIS outcomes.

Guiding questions for the consultation:

  • How can cooperation through the WSIS mechanisms, including multistakeholder dialogue
    and recently adopted the Global Digital Compact, enhance coherence in digital
    governance?
  • To what extent and how has the vision of a ‘people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society’ evolved over the past 20 years since WSIS?
  • What are the priorities and challenges to the implementation of WSIS outcomes today?

The event will be held in two sessions to accommodate different time zones:

  • 9 June (20:00–22:00 EST): For stakeholders in Asia-Pacific and western North America
  • 10 June (10:00–13:00 EST): For stakeholders in the Americas, Europe, and Africa

Each session will include opening remarks, stakeholder interventions (limited to 3 minutes), and a closing segment. The second session will begin with updates from UN agencies.

A summary of the consultation will be issued by the President of the General Assembly and shared with all stakeholders and member states. It will also contribute to the Co-Facilitators’ Elements Paper for the WSIS+20 process.

ICANN 83

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will hold its ICANN83 Policy Forum in a hybrid format from 9 to 12 June 2025 at the Prague Congress Center in Prague, Czech Republic. The four-day event will bring together participants from around the world to advance ongoing policy development, engage in outreach activities, and connect with members of the global internet community.

Designed as a focused working meeting, ICANN83 will feature sessions led by ICANN’s Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, aimed at progressing key policy and advisory initiatives. Discussions will also address broader internet governance issues, including preparations for the 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) and updates on ICANN’s internal ‘How We Meet’ initiative, which explores improvements to the format and structure of ICANN Public Meetings.

A Policy Outlook Report has been published to support participants’ preparation, offering a high-level overview of the key activities and expected developments. A community reception hosted by the ICANN Board is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 June, to recognise the contributions of working group leaders.

Final Brief on the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025

The Final Brief on the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, will take place on Tuesday, 10 June, in Geneva, with remote participation available. Organised as part of the ongoing WSIS+20 process, the session aims to foster open dialogue, encourage active stakeholder engagement, and support continued progress toward the High-Level Event. All interested stakeholders are encouraged to take part in this important exchange.

The WSIS+20 review marks twenty years since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005). The WSIS+20 review process will take stock of the progress made in the implementation of WSIS outcomes and address potential ICT gaps and areas for continued focus, as well as addressing challenges, including bridging the digital divide and harnessing ICTs for development.

The overall review will be concluded by a two-day high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), to be held on 16–17 December 2025. 

UN Virtual Worlds Day 2025

The 2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day is a global event convened to examine the role of AI-powered virtual worlds in addressing global challenges and in advancing the objectives of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC). It brings together representatives from UN entities, governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to discuss how AI and virtual technologies can support sustainable development, inclusive governance, and digital transformation.

Co-organised by ITU, ITCILO, FAO, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCWA, UNFCCC, UN Guatemala, UN-Habitat, UNICC, UNICEF, UNRISD, UN Tourism, UNU, UN Futures Lab, the World Bank, and WIPO, the event features a combination of high-level dialogues, expert panels, technology showcases, and presentations of UN-led initiatives.

Sessions will explore the integration of virtual worlds into national and local strategies, with a focus on digital equity, regulatory challenges, and the risks of exclusion. Case studies on job creation, decentralised workforces, and urban resilience will provide concrete examples of how virtual environments are being used to address systemic issues in areas such as manufacturing, tourism, and city planning.

The program will also address structural gaps in digital access and rights, particularly in the Global South. Discussions will cover the use of digital twins and immersive platforms to preserve cultural heritage, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen governance systems. A dedicated session on digital human rights will explore safeguards for privacy, accessibility, and non-discrimination. Futures thinking and scenario planning will be used to assess the long-term societal impacts of AI-integrated virtual ecosystems. The event concludes with a showcase of youth-led projects and UN initiatives, highlighting how emerging technologies are being piloted to advance digital inclusion and sustainable development within existing international frameworks.

2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit

The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from 15 to 17 June 2025. Marking the 50th anniversary of the first G7 Summit, this year’s gathering is hosted by Canada, which holds the G7 Presidency for 2025.

Leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA, along with the EU, and invitees Australia, Mexico, and Ukraine, will convene to discuss a wide range of global challenges. Key agenda items are expected to include international peace and security, global economic stability and growth, the digital transition, climate action, and other pressing global issues.

The summit provides a forum for leaders to explore shared solutions and reinforce cooperation at a time when global challenges demand coordinated and innovative responses.

Human Rights Council (HRC) 59th session

The 59th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC59) is scheduled to take place from 16 June to 11 July 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

This session provides a key platform for the international community to discuss, promote, and protect human rights worldwide.

The session will address a comprehensive agenda encompassing a broad spectrum of human rights issues. Major agenda items include the consideration of the Annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, discussions on the promotion and protection of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and the review of specific human rights situations that require the Council’s attention.

The Human Rights Council will review numerous reports during the session. Regarding digital matters, the council will review:

Internet Governance Forum 2025

The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.

‘Norway is committed to ensuring an open, safe, and free Internet for all. In an era where some countries seek to restrict online freedoms, it is more vital than ever for nations like Norway to engage in the discussions and negotiations regarding the frameworks that govern the Internet. As host country for IGF 2025, the international community trusts Norway to bring together global stakeholders for crucial conversations about the future role of the Internet,’ Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, stated.

‘A free and open Internet is fundamental to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. International cooperation to ensure the Internet remains a safe and inclusive space for everyone, is more crucial than ever. Norway wants to contribute to this effort,’ stated Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.

More information about the event will be available soon.

Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025

Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025, bringing together global leaders, experts, and policymakers to advance ethical AI governance. 

Under the theme ‘Ethical Governance of AI in Motion,’ the forum will assess progress since UNESCO’s 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and explore strategies for its continued implementation.

Building on previous forums in Prague and Ljubljana, this year’s event will focus on AI’s impact on human rights, gender equality, and sustainability. Discussions will centre on balancing innovation with responsibility, fostering global collaboration, and shaping ethical governance frameworks. Featuring expert panels and interactive sessions, the forum aims to drive actionable progress and strengthen international cooperation in AI ethics.

UN OEWG 2021-2025 11th substantive session

The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) will hold its seventh substantive session on 7-11 July 2025 in New York, the USA. This will be the final session of the group’s work.

The OEWG was established in 2021 by UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/75/240. The group is tasked to continue to develop the rules, norms, and principles of responsible behaviour of states; discuss ways for their implementation, and to study the possibility of establishing a regular institutional dialogue with broad participation under the auspices of the UN. Also included in the group’s mandate is a study of existing and potential threats to information security and possible confidence-building measures and capacity development. Its composition is declared as open, allowing all UN member states that express a desire to participate.

For more information about the OEWG, please visit our dedicated page.