The internet’s business model is being rewritten. As AI and agentic systems become the lens through which users engage with the web, and games evolve into persistent, AI-driven digital worlds, the traditional link between attention, ads, and value is breaking down.
If clicks and impressions no longer anchor value, what should take their place in defining how information, experiences, and their creators are valued?
Join us for a summary of the key insights, conclusions and next steps from the Annual Meeting 2026.
The International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place in Porto, Portugal, from 2 to 3 February 2026.
The event is hosted by the Government of Portugal under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Presidency, with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC).
The Summit builds on previous international efforts, notably the 2025 Abuja Summit, and aims to strengthen collaboration across public and private sectors, support evidence‑based decision‑making, explore innovative solutions and advance resilient infrastructure planning, including in underserved regions. The programme includes opportunities for experience sharing and strategy development to address pressing challenges affecting submarine telecom cable systems that underpin global digital connectivity.
The Summit will convene stakeholders from governments, regulatory authorities, industry, investors, submarine cable experts and international organisations to engage in high‑level sessions, expert panels and interactive discussions focused on enhancing the resilience of submarine telecommunications infrastructure.
Masters of Digital 2026 is scheduled for 26 February 2026 as a hybrid conference (in‑person in Brussels, Belgium and online).
The 2026 edition is themed ‘Redesigning Europe’s Digital Power’, with discussions focused on leveraging AI to boost industrial competitiveness, strengthening digital security amid geopolitical fragmentation, and simplifying regulatory frameworks to unlock growth.
Day 1 focuses on AI and tech leadership, including the European AI & Tech Declaration, investment in critical technologies, industrial strategy, and recognition of emerging tech scale-ups through the Future Unicorn Award. Keynote conversations and panels explore regulatory frameworks, competitiveness, and strategic innovation.
Day 2 covers digital backbone development, health and energy transformation, and cybersecurity. Sessions highlight the role of connectivity, AI, and digital infrastructure in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability. The programme concludes with discussions on transatlantic cooperation and Ireland’s vision for a digital Europe.
Participation is open to a broad range of stakeholders, with virtual registration guaranteed and limited in‑person attendance available by application.
ICANN85 is a community forum organised by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), scheduled to take place from 7 to 12 March 2026 in Mumbai, India. The event will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre and will follow a hybrid format, allowing both in‑person and remote participation.
The Community Forum is the first meeting in ICANN’s annual cycle of Public Meetings, which also includes the Policy Forum and the Annual General Meeting. It typically runs across six days and combines sessions for internal work by ICANN’s Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees (SO/ACs), plenary discussions, and cross‑community interaction on subjects of relevance to the global ICANN community.
The programme is expected to encompass a range of sessions where participants engage in policy development activities, advance ongoing technical and operational work, exchange best practices, and discuss matters related to the coordination of the global Domain Name System (DNS) and other unique identifiers essential for internet functionality.
Registration is open for participants interested in attending either in‑person or virtually, with advance registration required for on-site attendance.
The Blockchain Forum 2026 will be held in Moscow on 14–15 April 2026, bringing together global leaders in Web3, crypto, blockchain, and mining across the rapidly developing CIS region.
The event is expected to draw over 20,000 attendees, including founders, C-level executives, innovators, and investors.
Participants at the two-day forum will gain access to expert insights and forecasts on the evolving industry, engage in high-level networking and deal-making opportunities, and hear directly from founders and senior leaders of major global crypto projects about strategies to capitalise on emerging trends.
The event also features an extensive expo-floor with exhibitions of cutting-edge blockchain and mining technologies, simultaneous translation of sessions, dedicated after-hours networking, and multiple tiers of access for attendees including business and VIP packages.
The 29th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
For its 29th session, the programme will address the priority theme of ‘Science, Technology and Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’, and will also review progress on the implementation and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at regional and international levels.
The session will include presentations on technical cooperation activities and the work of the multistakeholder Working Group on Data Governance, as relevant to development objectives. Participation is expected from representatives of national governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.
E-Gov’A 2026, taking place from 14 to 16 May 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, is the first edition of a pan-African event dedicated to e-governance and digital innovation in public services. The event is organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (Minpostel) and supported by the Smart Click Africa association and Digital Business Africa.
The program is structured around four main components:
The event aims to accelerate the digital transformation of public services, promote inclusive and citizen-centric e-governance, and foster collaboration between governments, startups, institutions, and technology companies. It provides a platform to showcase innovative digital solutions, explore challenges and opportunities in e-governance, and facilitate strategic reflection on building a modern, efficient, and accessible public administration.
The WSIS Forum 2026 is the 2026 edition of the annual multistakeholder gathering established under the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process, which brings together actors engaged in digital cooperation, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and sustainable development. The Forum is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 6 to 10 July 2026.
It will convene representatives from governments, international organisations, civil society, the private sector, academia, and technical communities to exchange knowledge, highlight innovative solutions, and engage in multistakeholder dialogue to advance the implementation of WSIS Action Lines and contribute to broader global development goals.
The event is co-organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in collaboration with more than 50 UN entities.
WSIS Forum 2026 will serve as a principal platform for reviewing progress, strengthening partnerships, and identifying future directions in digital cooperation and ICT‑related development initiatives.
The AI for Good Global Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place from 7 to 10 July 2026 at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland.
Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with more than 50 UN agencies and co-convened with the Government of Switzerland, thesummit focused on exploring and advancing the practical application of AI to address global challenges and support the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The summit brings together representatives from governments, international organisations, the private sector, civil society, academia, and technical communities.
Participants will engage in discussions, presentations, and collaborative sessions on topics including AI governance, innovative AI solutions, capacity-building, standards development, and ethical considerations.
The programme includes keynote speeches, panels, exhibitions, workshops, and related initiatives to identify scalable AI applications that contribute to sustainable development and societal benefit. The event also offers opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and stakeholder engagement across the global AI ecosystem.
