Closing Ceremony and Chair’s WSIS Forum 2026 Summary

The Partner to Connect initiative achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 WSIS Forum by exceeding its $100 billion target, ultimately securing over $120 billion in commitments. This was highlighted as a shared accomplishment deserving recognition from the entire community.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin explicitly stated that Partner to Connect surpassed the $100 billion goal, reaching over $120 billion in US dollar commitments to connect the world meaningfully, and invited applause for this shared accomplishment .

The WSIS Forum 2026 was described as a historic event due to its unprecedented scale of participation, both in-person and online. It was part of the broader Geneva Digital Week, which also included the first-ever Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the AI for Good Global Summit.

More than 12,000 physical participants from over 170 countries gathered at Palais des Nations for the first-ever Global Dialogue on AI Governance, the AI for Good Global Summit, and the WSIS Forum, with thousands more joining online .

Geneva Digital Week 2026 was notable for hosting the inaugural Global Dialogue on AI Governance alongside the AI for Good Global Summit and the WSIS Forum. This underscored the growing centrality of AI governance in global digital policy discussions.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that participants gathered at Palais Expo for the first-ever Global Dialogue on AI Governance, the AI for Good Global Summit, and the WSIS Forum as part of Geneva Digital Week .

The WSIS Prize winners were highlighted as practical examples of digital tools being deployed to address gender inequality and health challenges. Their work demonstrates the tangible impact of digital initiatives on vulnerable populations.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that winners of the 2026 WSIS Prizes are using digital technologies to strengthen media literacy, develop future-ready talent including upskilling women and girls, and improve health outcomes for mothers and children .

The WSIS Prize winners serve as concrete evidence of how digital initiatives can build capacity and prepare young people for the future. Their projects illustrate the real-world impact of the WSIS Action Lines on youth development.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted that WSIS Prize winners are developing future-ready talent and upskilling women and girls, among other impactful activities, and congratulated the winners and champions .

Looking ahead, Action Line facilitators are tasked with developing concrete implementation roadmaps to be presented to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) in 2027. These roadmaps will be directly tied to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Digital Compact.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin stated that next year, Action Line facilitators will present their implementation roadmaps to CSTD, linking directly to SDG targets and Global Digital Compact commitments .

The UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) Task Force on Strengthening Financial Mechanisms is set to submit recommendations specifically aimed at advancing digital development in developing countries. This reflects the ongoing effort to ensure that financial support reaches those most in need.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin announced that the UNGIS Task Force on Strengthening Financial Mechanisms will submit its recommendations for digital development in developing countries .

Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasised that the UN system is demonstrating leadership by centring people and the planet in all its activities. She framed this as a transition from an information society to an intelligent society, reflecting the growing role of AI and advanced technologies.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin stated that the UN system shared how it is leading by example, putting all people and the planet at the core of all that it does as society moves from an information society to an intelligent society .

Doreen Bogdan-Martin opened her remarks by paying tribute to three individuals who played pivotal roles in the development of the WSIS community and have recently passed away. Their contributions spanned key WSIS processes, leadership roles within ITU, and the establishment of ITU's first office at the UN in New York.

Rita Goulous from Tunisia was described as 'the man behind the WSIS' ; Yuri Grin from the Russian Federation led important WSIS processes within ITU, including as chair of the council working group on WSIS ; Gary Fowley from Canada was a key ITU staff member who worked on WSIS phase one and two and created ITU's first office at the UN in New York .

The WSIS Prizes 2026 demonstrated remarkable global engagement, with a large number of submissions and an extensive public voting process. The selection of 18 winners and 72 champions from across 122 countries underscores the breadth and diversity of digital innovation being recognised.

Raafat Hendy stated that this year, 18 winners and 72 champions were selected from 1,595 submissions across 122 countries, supported by more than 2.2 million public votes, and that these projects prove the Action Lines deliver real change to people everywhere .

Raafat Hendy stressed that while connectivity is a prerequisite, it is insufficient on its own to achieve meaningful digital inclusion. People must also have access to affordable services, digital skills, locally relevant content, and a safe online environment.

Hendy identified digital inclusion as the central priority of the forum, noting that people need affordable and reliable access, digital skills, relevant content, and the ability to use technology safely and meaningfully .

Hendy argued that AI holds significant potential for advancing development across multiple sectors, but this potential must be harnessed responsibly. Closing the AI divide and ensuring AI is safe, trusted, and inclusive are essential conditions for AI to genuinely serve development goals.

Hendy stated that AI can support health, education, agriculture, public services, and economic growth, but that work must also be done to close the AI divide, strengthen skills, support local language and data, and ensure AI is safe, trusted, and inclusive .

At the ministerial roundtable, ministers raised concerns about an emerging AI accessibility gap that risks deepening existing inequalities. They called for concrete measures including blended finance, compute sharing, and targeted investment to ensure underserved communities are not left behind.

Hendy reported that ministers warned of the potential of a growing AI accessibility gap and called for blended finance, compute sharing, and investment that reaches underserved communities, as well as keeping AI people-centred, secure, and accountable .

Hendy identified closing the gender digital divide as one of the five key priorities emerging from the forum. He emphasised that achieving gender equality in the digital sphere requires a comprehensive approach covering access, skills, finance, safety, and leadership.

Hendy stated that women and girls must have equal access to connectivity, skills, digital finance, safe online spaces, and leadership opportunities in the technology sector, and that this requires considering women and girls at every step .

Hendy argued that youth should be recognised as contributors to the digital future rather than passive recipients of its benefits. Their roles as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders mean their perspectives must be integrated into policy-making and decision-making processes.

Hendy stated that young people are not just beneficiaries but innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and that their ideas must be reflected in policies, platforms, and decisions .

Hendy emphasised that the post-WSIS Plus 20 phase must shift from high-level commitments to tangible, on-the-ground implementation. Countries need practical support to translate digital strategies into concrete outcomes for their populations.

Hendy stated that the next phase of WSIS must be practical and must help countries turn digital strategy into real services, real skills, real jobs, and real opportunities for people .

Hendy articulated Egypt's vision for the next decade as one defined by concrete implementation rather than further deliberation. The priorities identified — digital inclusion, responsible AI, digital trust, and shared prosperity — reflect a particular focus on the needs of the Global South.

Hendy stated that Egypt's ambition for the coming decade is to be a true decade of implementation that advances digital inclusion, responsible AI, digital trust, and shared prosperity, especially for the Global South .

Hendy underscored that the complexity and scale of digital transformation necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach. No single actor — whether a country, institution, or sector — can drive this transformation alone; it requires collective effort, trust, and shared accountability.

Hendy stated that digital transformation cannot be shaped by one country, one institution, or one sector alone, and that it requires partnership, trust, and cooperation, as well as shared responsibility .

The Republic of Korea marked a significant milestone at the 2026 WSIS Forum by participating as a partner for the first time. This new status allowed Korea to engage more actively in the forum's discussions and activities.

The Korean representative noted that this year held particular significance for Korea as it joined the WSIS Forum as a partner for the first time, enabling the country to contribute more actively to its discussions and activities .

The Korean representative argued that the digital agenda must evolve beyond simply connecting people to ensuring that connectivity translates into meaningful use. This requires addressing affordability, building digital skills, ensuring accessibility, fostering trust, and guaranteeing equal opportunities.

The Korean representative stated that as the international community looks beyond WSIS Plus 20, it should move from connectivity to meaningful use, ensuring affordability, digital skills, accessibility, trust, and equal opportunities for all .

The Korean representative reaffirmed Korea's commitment to working with the international community to advance responsible innovation and inclusive digital development. The emphasis on translating the WSIS vision into practical action reflects Korea's focus on implementation over rhetoric.

The Korean representative stated that Korea remains committed to working with the international community to advance responsible innovation and inclusive digital development, and to translate the WSIS vision into practical action .

The Malaysian representative used the closing ceremony to reaffirm Malaysia's dedication to the goals of universal connectivity, digital inclusion, and resilient digital infrastructure. This commitment was framed within the context of Malaysia's broader partnership with ITU and the global community.

The Malaysian representative stated that Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working closely with the ITU and all member states in promoting universal connectivity, digital inclusion, trusted digital governance, innovations, and resilient digital infrastructure .

The Malaysian representative articulated a vision of an inclusive digital future in which no individual or community is excluded from the benefits of digital connectivity. This commitment aligns with the broader WSIS principle of people-centred digital development.

The Malaysian representative stated that together, the international community can build a digital future and leave no one behind and no one offline .

The Malaysian representative praised ITU's role in convening a diverse range of stakeholders to advance shared digital goals. This multi-stakeholder approach was seen as essential to achieving an inclusive and sustainable digital future.

The Malaysian representative commended the ITU for its steadfast leadership in bringing together governments, industry, academia, civil society, and international organisations to advance an inclusive, trusted, and sustainable digital future .

The South African representative affirmed that the core WSIS vision — centred on people, inclusion, and development — remains as relevant as ever. This vision was described as having been reaffirmed throughout the week's discussions.

The South African representative stated that the week had reaffirmed the enduring relevance of WSIS' vision: a people-centred, inclusive, and development-orientated information society .

The South African representative, speaking as the outgoing chair of the WSIS Business Forum 2025, expressed full support for Egypt's chairmanship and pledged South Africa's readiness to work together towards an inclusive and development-orientated outcome. This reflects a spirit of continuity and solidarity within the WSIS process.

The South African representative expressed full support for Egypt and stated that South Africa stands ready to work with Egypt to advance an inclusive, ambitious, and development-orientated outcome as the next process approaches .

The South African representative formally expressed solidarity with Egypt's leadership of the WSIS Forum 2026 and committed to continued collaboration. This gesture of support underscores the importance of African solidarity and partnership within the WSIS process.

The South African representative thanked Egypt for successfully chairing the WSIS Forum 2026, commended Egypt's leadership especially for the African continent, and stated that South Africa stands ready to work with Egypt to advance an inclusive, ambitious, and development-orientated outcome .

The South African representative paid tribute to Mr. Radha Gaurav, recognising his foundational role in shaping the WSIS process. His legacy of prioritising consensus and people-centred approaches was described as continuing to inspire the next generation of WSIS practitioners.

The South African representative paid tribute to Mr. Radha Gaurav, described as a key architect of the WSIS process since the PP Minneapolis, noting that his commitment to consensus and putting people first continues to guide the younger generation now carrying the mandate forward .

Gitanjali Sah opened the closing ceremony by noting that it was beginning one minute in advance, which she described as a record time for the WSIS Forum. She contrasted this with the forum's usual tendency to run over time, framing it as a notable achievement.

Gitanjali Sah stated that the closing ceremony was beginning one minute in advance, describing it as a record time at the WSIS Forum 2026, and noted that the forum usually overflows its scheduled time .

Gitanjali Sah acknowledged the co-organisers of the WSIS Forum 2026, namely UNDP, UNESCO, and UNCTAD, alongside the ITU. This recognition underscores the multi-agency nature of the forum and the collaborative effort required to bring it together.

Gitanjali Sah explicitly acknowledged UNDP, UNESCO, and UNCTAD as co-organisers of the WSIS Forum 2026 and thanked them for their presence , and reiterated this acknowledgement during the closing remarks .

Gitanjali Sah took the opportunity during the closing ceremony to thank the forum's sponsors and partners by name, highlighting their contributions to the event's success. She specifically acknowledged Malaysia's dedication as a five-day platinum partner and welcomed Nigeria as a new silver partner.

Gitanjali Sah thanked DG Mesmar and Malaysia for their five-day dedication and contribution as platinum partner, acknowledged Saudi Arabia and Japan as strategic partners, and welcomed Nigeria as a new silver partner for the year .

Gitanjali Sah mentioned that some partners had suggested the idea of creating a new emerald partnership tier, and she floated this idea publicly during the closing ceremony. She invited interested parties to contact the Secretary General to explore this possibility.

Gitanjali Sah noted that some partners had given her the idea to start an emerald partnership and invited any interested parties to contact the Secretary General to assist in the process .

Gitanjali Sah expressed her appreciation for the WSIS Forum and the community it serves, affirming the dedication of the ITU team in delivering the event. Her remarks reflected a sense of collective pride and commitment to the forum's mission.

Gitanjali Sah stated that she and the team love doing the WSIS Forum and that the community shares this sentiment, and she thanked the Secretary General for her remarks . She also thanked the co-host Ambassador Schneider, the co-organisers UNDP, UNESCO, and UNCTAD, and invited the WSIS team members including Sulina, Vladi-Tala, and Ruth for a group photograph .