Distinguished delegates, the 68th plenary meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will continue its high-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society. The Assembly will continue to hear the statements in the plenary in accordance with Resolution 79-277 and Decision 80-524 taken at the 66th plenary meeting.

Speakers are reminded that statements are limited to three minutes. Having said this, I would like to appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate implementation, interpretation into six official languages. I now give the floor to the representative of Africa ICT Alliance.

Your Excellencies, Delegates, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, My name is Jimson Olufuye, one of the members of the WSIS Plus 20 Informal Multistakeholder Standing Board and also a member of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group.

I am also the Chair of the Contemporary Consulting Limited based in Abuja, Nigeria. We do systems integration, software engineering, cybersecurity and research. I also have the privilege of being the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Africa ICT Alliance, AFICTA.

AFICTA is a private sector-led alliance of ICT associations, companies, and individual stakeholders across Africa. It was founded in 2012 with six countries, and we are now in more than 40 countries in Africa. Our vision is to fulfill the promise of the digital age for everyone in Africa.

And as a matter of fact, the WSIS inspired the formation of AFICTA. I would like to congratulate Your Excellencies Ambassador Suela Janina of Albania and Ekitela Lokaale of Kenya, the UNDESA, Member States, their colleagues in IMSB, and stakeholders around the world for the success of the 20-year review of the WSIS, which especially will be coming out with a consensus outcome document.

It has been a painstaking work for the global community. Your Excellencies, the WSIS started with the recognition of the multistakeholder nature of the information society, and I’m happy to know that it remains so, as evidenced by the creation of the IMSB. I only hope that the momentum is sustained.

Our gathering today is a testimony to the need for enhanced digital cooperation for sustainable development. In the age of AI, the need for interoperable data governance, online security, and the respect of human rights, it is imperative that we all work together as one family to close the digital divides in and among our countries and release resources for increased digitalization, digital literacy, and connectivity so that no one is left behind.

The agreement to make the impactful internet governance forum permanent is evidence of our collective vision and commitment to advancing our one common humanity. As it has grown to over 170 national and regional initiatives, including the youth, it is a veritable platform to review the WSIS and GDC to avoid duplications at the national, sub-regional, and regional level.

The recently concluded Nigeria Internet Governance Forum demonstrated this, that we can have one platform to handle these reviews. I would like to use the opportunity to commend Nigeria for organizing Africa’s first truly multistakeholder delegation to the UN General Assembly. Finally, I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly, Her Excellency Ms.

Annalena Baerbock for the opportunity to speak on this platform. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Africa ICT Alliance. I now give the floor to the representative of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

I thank the representative of International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. I now give the floor to the representative of AI for Good Young Leaders.

Excellencies and delegates, I am here today as a young AI leader, speaking on behalf of the San Francisco Hub, not as a future stakeholder, but as a present partner in building information society. The outcome document before us today, while not perfect, presents a people-centered vision of a future of this society, and recognizes the effective participation of all stakeholders, including youth, has been and remains a vital part to achieving this vision.

We see this as a long-championed, multi-stakeholder cooperation, but recognition is not the same as empowerment. For young people, digital isn’t a policy topic. It’s our classrooms, our workplaces, our communities.

It’s where our identities are shaped, and the lens through which we view the world, for better or for worse. We grew up together with the internet, and understand its opportunities and dangers better than anyone. So we are not here for symbolic inclusion.

We are here for a shared ownership of digital future being shaped in this hall. What we ask is not only practical, but necessary, if the internet is to live up to its promises as a tool for the betterment of society, and not its detriment. Move from youth participation to youth decision shaping.

Fund programs for young people in countries across the world. Build youth seats into the action line implementation, and treat youth as co-designers of the policy that will govern our digital lives. Because youth are not only impacted by digital policy, we are creators of the digital reality these policies seek to govern.

We are the earliest adopters, most consistent users of this new technology. We are the builders and the debuggers, the ones who translate new tools into everyday life, at school, at work, in our communities. There are many who view us as just consumers, potential buyers of this new technology.

And to them I say yes, we are, but we are also much more. We are trailblazers, catalysts who shape how technology spreads, how norms form, and how innovation becomes commonplace. Young AI leaders, an organization I’m part of, is helping lead the way in mobilizing a global, localized help-to-help portfolio of youth-led work because we see both the promise of AI, along with its disruption, and those who are left behind.

In San Francisco, our work on AI and mental health is grounded on a simple principle. The future of AI requires not just innovation, but also justice. Excellencies, if policies are written about young people, without young people, we should not be surprised when they fail young people, when they miss how platforms are actually being used, how harms are actually spread, and where opportunities truly lie.

So today, as you move towards adoption, hear us clearly. Our work does not end today with the adoption of this document. It is just the beginning, and no group has more stake and more potential to carry this forward than the generation that will live with these decisions the longest.

Don’t just engage youth. Empower your youth. Give us a seat where decisions are made, and we will help build an inclusive, just, safe, and sustainable digital future that we see as promised for us all.

Thank you.

I thank the representative of the AI for Good Young Leaders. I now give the floor to the representative of the Internet Society.

Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates and Colleagues. I am honored to speak on behalf of the Internet Society, one of the many stakeholders that make up the global Internet community. We commend this Assembly for recognizing the borderless and collaborative nature of the Internet in the text in front of us.

It is an acknowledgment of the physical reality that networks must interoperate in order to function. And it is an affirmation of the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance that has so effectively served our collective goals throughout the decades. Thank you.

In bringing together the best expertise from governments, academia, civil society, industry, and the technical community, we have been able to build and maintain a network that has helped countries experience historic economic growth and opportunities.

But our work is far from done. 2.2 billion people still lack meaningful connectivity. They depend on the Internet for economic growth and access to public services, education, and health care.

They need the Internet to participate in the digital society indeed. We collectively must end their wait. The multi-stakeholder model allows people and organizations to bring the Internet to hard-to-reach communities.

It helps shape enabling policy environments. that accelerate connectivity. It makes high quality, open standards, open data, and open source technology available to everyone.

And it enables us to learn from one another and identify solutions to some of the most stubborn and harmful digital challenges of our times. Within the UN system, the Internet Governance Forum serves as a main venue for this work. Open, non-binding, and inclusive by design, it helps all of us shape the Internet and digital policies for the betterment of society.

Within the IGF, stakeholders bridge the gap between high level diplomacy and ground level implementation, allowing local needs to shape global deliberations. The Internet Society is a proud, long-standing funder and participant in not just the global IGF, but also more than 180 national, regional, sub-regional, youth IGFs, as well as Internet Governance Schools worldwide.

We do that to ensure that the future of the Internet Governance remains in steady, but collaborative hands. We should all be proud of what we have built together. Let us continue our important work, making sure that the future of the global Internet is written by those committed to making it a force for good, for everyone, everywhere.

Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Internet Society. I now give the floor to the representative of IT for Change.

Esteemed Delegates, the WSIS Geneva Declaration articulates the abiding values of digital society, underlining that technology and innovation are but instruments, and their purpose at all times is to foster social well-being and human rights.

The data and AI blitzkrieg has rewritten the script. We are now enamored and our cognition enslaved by the heady wares of platform capitalism. People and planet are now instruments for innovation, and we have indeed lost this plot.

Consider this. A worker in India folds hand towels hundreds of times a day with a camera mounted on their head, generating training data for an AI that will never problem-solve for their embedded reality. This is the platformization of work, a story of precarity and indignity of data labor.

An estimated 96% of global deepfakes are non-consensual intimate content targeting women and girls, yet generative AI is heralded as an unequivocal story of civilizational success. As overall emissions and water usage skyrocket due to AI infrastructure, the most powerful corporations have simply walked away from their carbon neutrality commitments. The feverish race for AI expansion trumps even existential climate threats.

This tragically is our innovation economy built on disposition, dehumanization, and disenfranchisement. But people from the south are reclaiming the internet and its promise. They are resisting the new epoch of data extractivism, saying no to unjust trade deals.

They are calling for an embodied and embedded knowledge society and a return of innovation to the edges, where the digital commons thrives with digital public infrastructures. Respected colleagues, it is time to affirm this alternative imagination. Another innovation paradigm, south-led, decentralized, small, agentic is possible.

It hinders on concrete actions for redistributive justice, contributions for digital infrastructure from major transaction levies on technology companies, respect for the right of all countries to tax cross-border digital services, and reform of international trade.

It needs a new normative framework for AI, an international AI constitution predicated on global democracy, and a global technology assessment mechanism to govern all emerging technologies. We close our contribution with a big thank you to the WSIS Action Line holders. The wealth of networks belongs to the people.

Let us pledge to restore it. Thank you.

I thank the representative of IT for Change. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States.

As the world’s largest digital and technology market, the United States wishes to issue our explanation of position regarding the WSIS Plus 20 outcome document. We reiterate our support for advancing technology, innovation, and connectivity in an increasingly connected world. A free, open, and multi-stakeholder approach to advancing information technology systems is imperative to this important work.

Although we did not call a vote, the United States has reservations regarding the outcome document. First and foremost, the United States has serious reservations about international organizations setting a standard that legitimizes international governance of the Internet. Specifically, we oppose references to the Global Digital Compact.

Summit for the Future, and Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. The United States strongly supports a multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance that embraces innovation, preserves sovereignty, protects fundamental rights, and grows the modern digital economy. AI is set to define the future of economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure this technology benefits all of our fellow and future citizens. This will not be accomplished through more bureaucracy, for instance, the AI fellowship and research program called for in this resolution. We are concerned by any stated or implied suggestion of threats to freedom of speech and expression, including references to disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech.

All speech, even audio speech, should be protected. The protection of intellectual property provides critical incentives needed to drive the innovation. The United States underscores the importance of regulatory and other legal environments that support innovation on voluntary and mutually agreed terms.

This resolution unnecessarily advances divisive social themes such as climate change, gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and right to development. On unilateral coercive measures, we underscore that economic sanctions are lawful, legitimate, important, appropriate, and effective tools for responding to malign activity and addressing threats to peace and security.

Additionally, in Paragraph 5, the United States interprets, quote, countries and territories under foreign occupation, end quote, as being situation dependent. Finally, the United States understands that this resolution does not create or otherwise change any rights or obligations for states under international law. As such, the United States now disassociates from any language in the outcome document that is contrary to the positions outlined above.

We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively, build consensus-based solutions, advance the UN’s core mission, and ensure the UN can deliver practical, tangible results. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United States. Distinguished delegates, we have heard the last speaker in the plenary. The Assembly will now proceed to consider Draft Resolution A-80-L41, entitled, Outcome Document of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Overall Review of the Implementation of the Outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

Thank you, Mr. President. The present oral statement is made in the context of Rule 153 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly.

The present statement has also been distributed to Member States. The requests referred to in Operative Paragraphs 99 and 103 of the Draft Resolution would entail additional activities for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management for $153,200, the Department for Economic and Social Affairs for $1,266,400, including six posts, one at D1, one at P5, one at P3, one at P2, and two general service at that level, as well as the Department for Global Communications for $5,500, and the United Nations Office in Geneva for $4,000, not including staff assessment.

Please refer to Annex 1 of this statement. Under Paragraph 127, the General Assembly would request the General Assembly to hold a high-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2035, involving the input and participation of all stakeholders, including in the preparatory process, to take stock of progress and concerning the outcomes of the World Summit and identify areas of continued focus.

With regard to the high-level meeting contained in Paragraph 127 of the draft resolution, in the absence of modalities for the meeting, it is not possible at the present time to estimate the potential cost implications of the requirements of the meeting.

When the format, scope, and modalities of the meeting are determined, the Secretary-General would assess the budgetary implications and advise the General Assembly in accordance with Rule 153 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.

Furthermore, once modalities are known in accordance with established practice, the date of the meeting would be determined in consultation with the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management.

In this regard, reference is made to Operative Paragraph 11 of General Assembly Resolution 69/ 250, and subsequent resolutions, the most recent of which is Resolution 79/248 of 24 December 2024, in which Assembly invited Member States to include in new legislative mandates adequate information on modalities for organization of conferences or meetings.

Should the General Assembly adopt Draft Resolution L41, the resource requirements for 2027 and thereafter would be presented in the proposed program budgets for the respective years for consideration of the General Assembly.

The Secretariat also wishes to inform the General Assembly that its ability to implement the mandates would depend on the availability of adequate liquidity resources. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of the Secretariat. Distinguished delegates, we will now hear explanations of vote before the vote. Before giving the floor for explanations of vote before the vote, may I remind the delegations that they are strongly urged to limit explanations of vote to five minutes, which should not in any case exceed ten minutes and be made from their seats.

I now give the floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, Mr. President, at the outset, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the adoption of the outcome document of the comprehensive review of the implementation of the outcomes of WSIS plus 20 and expresses our appreciation for the efforts made by the delegations of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kenya in facilitating the negotiations.

The Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to continue the implementation of the summit’s outcomes in a manner that contributes to building an inclusive, secure and people-centred information society. In this context, the Kingdom underscores the importance of the pivotal role of information and communications technology in supporting digital transformation, bridging the digital divide, enhancing innovation and empowering societies and helping them to achieve balanced digital development that takes into account differing levels of readiness among countries and respects their national priorities, while emphasising the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the areas of internet governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, trust building and cyber security.

The Kingdom at the same time stresses the need to respect national sovereignty, ensure flexibility in digital policies and uphold the rights of states to formulate their regulatory and technical frameworks in line with their national systems and their cultural and social contexts.

We support the paragraphs of the Tunis Programme of Action of 2005 with regard to the governance of the internet. And with regard to the role and responsibilities of government for international management of the Internet, in order to ensure the stability and sustainability, governments must adopt policies in this regard for all stakeholders.

Governments must meet their obligations and their role in the area of general international policy. The Kingdom expresses its reservations regarding a number of paragraphs contained in the outcome document that are not consistent with national policies or international consensus or which move away from consensus, which is the basis for the success of the summit.

And in this regard, we would like to express our reservation with regard to sexual violence and gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and protection from infectious diseases, contained in paragraphs 11, 38 and 79, as these fall outside the agreed thematic scope and framework of the WSIS, which focuses on leveraging information and communications technology to support sustainable development, build the information society and bridge the digital divide.

The document also refers to the Convention and International Declaration, so to which the Kingdom is not a party, which may give the impression that there are obligations which are not based on international or national legal frameworks existing for the Kingdom.

In this regard, the Kingdom affirms that any such references do not create new legal obligations and shall not be interpreted in a manner that constrains its established positions or commitments. in line with the principle of national sovereignty and respect for applicable legal frameworks. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also would like to record its reservation regarding the use of the term community networks in paragraphs 27 and 64 due to the absence of a clear and internationally agreed definition from the ITU on this and because these issues were not discussed at the summit.

In conclusion the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for the goals of the World Summit on the Information Society within the framework of full respect for state sovereignty, cultural diversity and the plurality of digital and developmental models.

The Kingdom will continue to play its constructive role in supporting international efforts aimed at enhancing the use of technology as a tool for empowerment, capacity building and the achievement of a more inclusive and secure digital free future for all and we ask that this statement be recorded in the records of the session.

Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia. I now give the floor to the representative of India.

Mr. President, After months of consultations involving member states and other stakeholders we’re finally at the finish line of what has felt like a race against time. India has actively and constructively engaged in the negotiation of the outcome document of the WSIS plus 20 until the very last moment and although the text is not ideal we acknowledge that outcomes emerging from multilateral negotiations seldom satisfy all parties equally.

However it has been our endeavor as a delegation to ensure that developing countries are not left more disadvantaged than other groups and upon taking stock of the document it is our understanding that this process could have been handled in a more transparent and organized manner.

I wish to clarify, however, that India does appreciate that the document reaffirms the original WSIS vision of an inclusive and development-oriented information society and situates digital cooperation firmly within the framework of the 2030 Agenda, the Global Digital Compact, and the Pact for the Future.

From India’s perspective, a key strength of the outcome is its clear recognition that digital transformation must serve sustainable development and reduce inequalities, not deepen them. The outcome document rightly acknowledges the persistent digital divides between and within countries, particularly affecting developing countries, women and girls, persons with disabilities, rural populations, and other disadvantaged sections of the society, and calls for strengthened international cooperation to address these gaps.

We appreciate the attempt to address gaps in AI capacity through the establishment of an AI Capacity Building Fellowship for government officials and research programs, which could be a game-changer for the Global South countries in their development journeys.

We call for further deepening of international cooperation on AI capacity building, especially for the Global South, where these capacities are most lacking. India particularly welcomes the recognition of digital public infrastructure and digital public goods as critical enablers of inclusive digital transformation. The acknowledgement that there is no one-size-fits-all model and that countries must develop digital systems in line with national priorities and capacities reinforces the importance of policy space, national ownership, and context-specific pathways for digital development.

India also takes note with appreciation of the decision to recognize that Internet governance must continue to be a global and multi-stakeholder in nature and make the Internet Governance Forum a permanent forum of the UN.

This is an important step towards strengthening inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on Internet governance. ensure more predictable participation by developing countries. The emphasis on broadening engagement from underrepresented regions and communities is particularly relevant.

While India supports the multi-stakeholder approach of the IGF, we emphasize inclusive participation of developing countries and the primary role of states in the global decision-making process on business issues.

The text could have addressed this element in a better and clearer fashion if only the process had been more transparent and better organized. India also believes that the document could have been more ambitious on means of implementation. While financing needs, capacity constraints and technology gaps are clearly recognized, commitments on predictable, concessional and additional financing as well as on effective technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries and ICT development remain largely procedural and deferred to future assessments.

Bridging digital divides at scale will require moving more decisively from recognition to delivery. India also regrets that an explicit mention of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities was not included in this document. CBDR is a well-established principle within the UN system that is especially relevant to global digital transformations.

The omission of this principle dilutes the development aspect of the document and ignores the structural disparities in capacities and resources among countries, particularly when WSIS is expected to serve as a framework to support digital equity and bridge technological divides.

This is a dangerous precedent that India will strongly oppose in future processes. Additionally, India also believes that the outcome document could have more clearly reflected the importance of preventing the misuse of online anonymity for malicious and unlawful activities. In our view, confidence, trust and security in ICTs are best strengthened through approaches that enhance user safety and accountability while carefully balancing privacy protections and the respect for human rights.

rights. Yet, India views the WSIS plus 20 outcome as delivering important, if limited, gains for the global south while reaffirming support to global digital cooperation. India therefore joins consensus on this document and encourages others to do the same.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of India. I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

Thank you, Honorable Chair. We already gave our national statement yesterday, so I will just address the action in front of us. Israel would like to provide an explanation of its position on draft resolution 80L41 on the outcome document of WSIS.

While we came to celebrate WSIS today, our negotiation process was anything but a cause of celebration, reflecting a deeply divided world. In spite of the outcome, I want to acknowledge the work and thank the co-facilitators, Kenya and Albania, for their efforts. I regret that the final leg of the process was not transparent and did not reflect the spirit of negotiations we would have liked to see here at the UN.

The final stage was slow bias, incompetence, and the lack of transparency. We know the usual arguments that consensus does not mean agreement, and if no one is happy, it means that we did a good job, etc., etc. Yet in this case, reaching that desired consensus did not contribute to building trust, neither between member states nor with the UN Secretariat.

I also want to say something about the overused argument of agreed language in negotiations. The UN is not the same UN we had 10 years ago and 20 years ago when we negotiated WSIS plus 10. At that time, we adopted the SDGs and were a bit more optimistic about the UN.

Unfortunately, we had to learn the hard way about the impact of false narratives that are repeated time and time again in different forms of the UN. Our words here matter, and go well beyond these walls. There are strong movements today that feed on these false narratives and member states that benefit from spreading them.

With that said, Israel would like to disassociate from the terminology used in preamble or paragraph five, viewing it as inappropriate reference within the text. While we support the values at the heart of WSIS, the only reason this is added to the text is to attack my country. For the above reasons, Mr.

President, my delegation is obligated to call for a more transparent and less politicized process going forward. Please include our statement in the official records of this meeting. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Israel. Distinguished delegates, we have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote before the vote. The assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution A stroke 80 stroke L41, entitled Outcome Document of the High Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Overall Review of the Implementation of the Outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society.

May I take it that the assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution A stroke 80 stroke L41. It is so decided. Distinguished delegates, we will now hear explanation of vote after the vote.

Before giving the floor, I would like to remind you that the assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution A stroke 80 stroke L41, entitled Outcome Document of the High Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Overall Review of the Implementation of the High Level Meeting of the for explanation of vote after the vote, may I remind the delegations that they are strongly urged to limit the explanation of vote to five minutes, which should in any case not exceed 10 minutes and be made from their seats.

I now give the floor to the representative of Iraq to speak on behalf of Group of 77 and China.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. I have the honor to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the constructive efforts that contributed to the adoption of this strategic document while expressing its regret that the adopted text did not adequately reflect the number of core concerns of developing countries, both in terms of substance and with regard to the procedural approach through which the final phase of the negotiations was conducted.

The group regrets the absence of an explicit mention of a principle of common but differentiated responsibilities a well established principle within the United Nations system that is especially relevant to the global digital transformations.

The omission of this principle was weakened the development aspect of the declaration and overlooked the structural disparities in capacities and resources among countries, particularly when WSIS is expected to serve as a framework.

to support digital equity and bridge technological divides. We also hoped for a more ambitious and action-oriented text on financial mechanisms to close all digital divides and ensure meaningful connectivity for developing countries. While we welcome the establishment of a financial task force, we urge its work to be purpose-driven and concrete, including recommendations and best practices on new, innovative and inclusive financial mechanisms, as well as increased access to these for developing countries at risk of getting left further behind.

The group considers that references to unilateral coercive measures were diluted as they failed to reflect the real negative impacts of such measures on access to technology, knowledge transfer and digital capacity building in developing countries.

Reliance on general formulation does not address the actual challenges these measures pose to inclusive digital development efforts. The group expressed concern over the absence of a clear approach to misinformation and disinformation despite the direct threats they pose to social cohesion, public trust and democratic systems, as well as to a stability of the digital space in many developing countries.

The group is of the view that overlooking this challenge undermines a key element in building a safe and trustworthy information society. We also regret that the language regarding the intergovernmental segment for dialogue among governments has been weakened. Additionally, the specific reporting requests from the group on closing digital divides and on impacts of automation and AI on labor and employment were not reflected in the final text.

We call on all relevant action line facilitators and UNGIS to deliver greater impact and more relevant work in the implementation of the WSIS framework for developing countries, as addressing these issues is crucial to achieving the SDGs and the vision of WSIS of a people-centered and development-oriented information society.

The Group of Citizens in China stressed that the lack of transparency is the final stage of the negotiation process caused doubts with the group regarding the procedural approach. The group believes that transparency and equal sharing of information among all members are essential prerequisites for ensuring collective and balanced ownership of the adopted outcomes. The Group of Citizens in China stressed that its participation in the adoption session does not necessarily mean satisfaction with all elements of the declaration, but rather reflects its commitment to multilateralism and its determination to maintain the unity of the United Nations process, while clearly recording its substantive and procedural reservations, it hopes these reservations will be duly considered during the follow-up and implementation phases.

I thank you.

I thank the Distinguished Representative of Iraq. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of the Russian Federation.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Russian Federation welcomes the adoption of the Resolution on the Implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society.

We would like to note that the document reflects important overarching ideas. These include the need to bridge the digital divide, enhancing digital capacity, the inacceptability of illegitimate unilateral measures that are adopted while circumventing international law and the UN Charter.

At the same time, the Russian Federation cannot stand in solidarity with some provisions, namely provisions that have to do with controversial concepts of information integrity, which are drawn up and promoted without the consent of member states.

Furthermore, we cannot support the broadening of the mandate of the OHCHR to the digital sphere. We’d like to recall that the office was not in the initial list of UN entities that was responsible for the implementation of the agreements. of OASIS.

We see no need to change this situation, and considering the expert capacity in other special institutions that have the appropriate mandates, considering what I’ve said, the Russian Federation distances itself from paragraph 77, 78, and 119 of the outcome document, and we will not consider ourselves bound by their provisions.

I’d like to avail myself of the right to write a reply here, and so doing, the Russian Federation roundly rejects what we’ve heard today, that is, baseless accusations coming from Ukraine. We wish to point out that issues of international peace and security, including in terms of ICTs, fall under the competency of other UN bodies. We regret the fact that the Ukrainians, instead of engaging in substantive discussion about the scope of WSIS, intended to politicize the professional discussion taking place in this hall.

We would like to note that the Ukrainian representatives didn’t appear at any of the consultations on the review document WSIS Plus 20. In so doing, they confirmed their complete lack of interest in global efforts to bridge the digital divide. Judging by all of this, such constructive steps aren’t among the priorities of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Going forward, we urge them to refrain from biased anti-Russian attacks and to adhere to the topic under discussion. I thank you for your attention.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

Thank you, President. The Argentinian delegation would like to thank the coordinators in helping to prepare this important document as well as the work done at the global summit of WSIS. At the same time, the Argentinian delegation would like to distance itself from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and other related matters contained in the text, as well as those mentioned which introduce mandates which are not under the WSIS mandate, particularly the gender focus and wording with regard to misinformation, disinformation or hate speech or other sexual agendas within that framework.

We distance ourselves from them. And finally, Argentina doesn’t agree with governance that limits sovereignty and the ability of governments to arrange their productive forces as they see fit. Thank you very much.

I thank Argentina. I now give the floor to Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ukraine would like to explain its position following the adoption of the resolution on the outcome document of WSIS.

We welcome the adoption of the resolution and we wish to express once again our sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators for their dedicated efforts. and delivering the outcome document. We welcome the outcome document’s strong reaffirmation of people’s central right-based approach to information society, its emphasis on closing digital divides, advancing meaningful connectivity, promoting gender equality, and safeguarding human rights online.

At the same time, we have to put on record our reservation with regard to the paragraph 52 referring to unilateral coercive measures. Our delegation believes that restrictive measures are a legitimate foreign policy tool when adopted in accordance with international law. They are necessary in the face of clear violations of international law or actions jeopardizing international peace and security.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Ukraine. I now give the floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Mr. President, for the floor. Mr.

President, the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great importance to the World Summit on Information Society, WSIS, as a development-driven multilateral process anchored in the Geneva and Tunis outcomes.

In view of the importance of the document, the Islamic Republic of Iran joined the consensus while placing on record its position and considerations as set out below. Our explanation of the position reflects serious concerns regarding a number of substantive paragraphs that lack consensus as well as the unprecedented inclusion for the first time in the WSIS process of a new section that was not agreed upon, resulting in the dilution of the development pillar.

It also expresses our dissatisfaction with the negotiation process itself, during the final week, marked by a lack of transparency and an inclusive, predictable negotiation framework. The Geneva Declaration defines the WSIS as a development-oriented process focused on development, poverty eradication, equitable access to knowledge, technology transfer, and financial support for developing countries.

The outcome document weakens this pillar by failing to translate these objectives into concrete commitments and by diverting attention from core development priorities. Mr. President, Tunisia’s Agenda mandates enhanced cooperation among governments on an equal footing in international Internet-related public policy.

The outcome document instead treats the IGF as a substitute rather than a complement, giving enhanced cooperation, undefined and unimplemented, and perpetuating structural imbalance affecting developing countries.

Geneva and Tunisia both recognize structural barriers to participation faced by developing countries. The outcome document merely acknowledges these constraints without establishing predictable support mechanisms, thereby sustaining existing inequalities. Mr.

President, neither the Geneva nor the Tunis outcomes envisage WSIS as a forum for establishing human rights pillars. The introduction of such elements goes behind the agreed mandate of WSIS and diverts attention from its core development objectives, including bridging the digital divide through financial technology, transfer of technology and capacity building, and meaningful participation of developing countries.

In light of the lack of consensus, the persisting of significant divergence of views, And the disregard of this position during the negotiation, particularly where the development pillar is vacant, the Islamic Republic of Iran dissociates itself from the paragraph related to the human rights section.

While the outcome acknowledges the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures, its language remains substantially inadequate and non-operationalized. The absence of a concrete mechanism to address such measures, including their extraterritorial effects, fails to protect developing countries from digital fragmentation, technological denial, and restricted access to critical digital infrastructure.

Consistent with the Geneva Declaration and Tunis agenda, respect for national sovereignty and nationally determined priorities is a fundamental priority of the basis process, in line with the principles of sovereign equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr. President, in this context, the Islamic Republic of Iran underscores each state’s sovereign right to determine its own development path and considers the outcome document to be non-legally binding and voluntary.

Hence, Iran is not committed to any part of the outcome document that contradicts its national priorities, laws, policies, culture, and ethical values. This includes paragraph 76. The Intergovernmental Charter of the United Nations must be preserved while the multi-stakeholder approach is an important feature of WSIS.

It must not undermine the central role of the governments. The roles, accountability, and responsibility of stakeholders, particularly large technology companies and cross-border digital platforms, must be clearly defined vis-à-vis users and national regulatory authorities.

We express reservation regarding certain controversial and non-consensual terms and concepts, including gender-related terminologies and reference to sexual and reproductive health and SGBB, and accordingly, we dissociate ourselves from paragraph 11, 38, and 79.

And it is regrettable that the concerns of the group of 77 were not reflected in paragraph 101, that a section was removed at the final stage of the negotiation, and that paragraph 72, reflecting a consensus of G77 position drawn from global digital compact, was not acceptable, while non-consensual provision was included.

These developments undermine balance, inclusivity, and credibility of the outcome. Mr. Chair, any reference to the international mechanisms or frameworks to which Iran is not a party, such mechanisms do not create any obligation for my country.

Mr. President, at the end, I would like to request this explanation of the vote be put in the record and be included in the relevant official report of the document. Thank you.

I thank Islamic Republic of Iran. I now give floor to the representative of Nigeria.

Thank you, Vice President. Nigeria aligns with the explanation of position just delivered by the delegation of Iraq on behalf of the G77 and China. In addition, we wish to place on record that despite Nigeria’s joining the consensus with the adoption of the outcome document of the WSIS plus 20, all references in the document to terms in the document including sexual and gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health.

will be interpreted by Nigeria in line with its national legislation and social and cultural norms. I thank you, Vice President.

I thank Nigeria. I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh.

Thank you, Mr. President. These are unprecedented times, and unprecedented times calls for unprecedented measures.

Bangladesh has intervened time and again on multiple paragraphs. Some of our ideas have been reflected in the final outcome documents. Some have not.

For the sake of consensus, we have been very persistent, patient, and would remain so. However, we believe that these are times when we need to take into cognizance what’s happening around us. When we had started with WSIS 20 years or more than 20 years before, we had not really thought about where we would be coming in 20 years, but where we are now.

Artificial intelligence is on the roll. It’s being rolled out. In just one year’s time, we have seen what the powers of LLMs could be and how they live a lived life again and again.

Internet and access to Internet is almost a fundamental human right now, particularly for Gen Zs and for the youth. We must take that into account. We must take into account the need for market connect to tech, organizations, and the rights-based approach that we have always pursued from the United Nations and other multilateral fora.

What we see is that in the next 24 to 36 months, many things will happen. Many more things will happen. We believe that tech transcendence, technosyn, and tech singularity are on the horizon.

So next WSIS high-level review, or even for that matter summit and plenary, might have an entirely different set of… concourses and discourses. What would we do about that?

What we believe is that we have made our points heard during the discussions and also during the side events and also in numerous other occasions where we could intervene or at least put our positions in clear sight and review for the review of our distinguished colleagues from other parts of the world.

We believe that in next seven months at least four of the UN processes will intersect with each other. WSIS, GDC, AI for Good and Pact for the Future. What we believe is that we need to take into account where those intersection points could be leveraged for the benefit of a common standard for the whole of humanity.

The DPI, the DPGs and also AI will be intersecting with each other. We need new epistemologies. We need new interpretations of the ontologies which are emerging all around us and WSIS even if not in the operative paragraphs but also in its preamble must take into cognizance of what’s around us.

While we respect and appreciate what has gone in over the last 20 years we need to do more. That’s where we believe that although we agree with the outcome document but still the points that we have raised during last one month of negotiation and we thank each colleague from each distinguished participant participating countries and stakeholders.

It’s a multi-stakeholder process. We thank each of them for their heartfelt participation but we will not let go of the of the points that we have raised because we believe that these points are not Bangladesh points alone. These points are not even the base of pyramid points alone.

These are points for humanity. This great hall where we’re sitting all all of us here must reflect, must resonate a voice of hope, a voice of vision, a vision for a grand future together. I rest my case with you.

Think about it. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Bangladesh. Distinguished delegates, we have heard the last speaker in explanation of vote after the vote. I would now like to express my sincere appreciation to Her Excellency Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, and His Excellency Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations, who ably and patiently conducted the discussions and complex negotiations in the informal consultations on the draft resolution.

I’m sure members of the Assembly join me in extending to them our sincere appreciation. The high-level meeting on the overall review by the General Assembly of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society is now concluded. May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 15.

Thank you. It is so decided.