UN General Assembly endorses the holding of WSIS

In June 2001, the ITU Council endorses the ITU Secretary-General's proposal to hold WSIS in two phases, in 2003 and 2005. Later in the year, the UN General Assembly, through Resolution 56/183, also endorses the holding of WSIS in two phases. It invites the ITU to 'assume the leading managerial role' in preparing WSIS. It also invites and encourages governments, UN bodies, other intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and the private sector to contribute to the summit and its preparatory process.