The WSIS Moon Shot: Celebrating 20 years and crystal-balling the next 20!

27 May 2024 09:00h - 09:30h

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Full session report

Reflecting on Two Decades of Progress: Highlights from the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High Level Event

The WSIS Plus 20 Forum High Level Event marked the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society, which began in Geneva in 2003. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in leveraging technology for societal benefit, to address the ongoing digital divide, and to discuss the future direction of the WSIS initiative.

**Digital Transformation and Inclusivity:** A key theme of the forum was the role of digital transformation in driving development and prosperity. Dr. Bosun Tijani from Nigeria highlighted the country’s achievements in connecting a significant portion of its population and the potential of digital technologies to enhance productivity across various sectors. He stressed the need to move beyond merely connecting individuals to ensuring that connectivity is meaningful and inclusive, enabling people to contribute to the global economy.

**Global Digital Cooperation:** The discussions emphasised the necessity of global digital cooperation in assisting countries to utilise digital technologies for economic diversification and public service delivery. Dr. Tijani spoke about Nigeria’s efforts to invest in digital public infrastructure, including a significant expansion of its fibre optic network, to improve government service delivery and foster economic growth.

**Standards and Sustainability:** Dr. Thomas Coughlin from IEEE highlighted the critical role of standards in ensuring that technology is reliable, secure, safe, scalable, and efficient. He pointed out how standards are essential for the responsible deployment of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Standards were also recognised for their role in supporting sustainable development, particularly in managing e-waste and promoting a circular economy.

**Private Sector Investment:** Maria Fernanda Garza from the International Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the private sector’s role in deploying infrastructure, innovating, and delivering ICT applications and services. She emphasised the need for public policies that encourage rather than deter private sector investment, which is crucial for further economic and social development.

**Civil Society Participation:** Anriette Esterhuysen highlighted civil society’s significant role in the WSIS process, particularly in holding states and corporations accountable and ensuring a human rights-centred approach to development. However, she expressed concerns about a shift from a people-centred focus to a digital-centric approach and the persistence of digital inequality. She called for a renewed focus on people and digital equality within and between countries.

**Future of WSIS:** The idea of “WSIS Plus 30” was proposed as a future goal, with an emphasis on updating the WSIS vision and strengthening its implementation mechanisms. Thomas Schneider from Switzerland discussed the country’s support for the WSIS process and the need for an inclusive and accountable WSIS+ to address current and future digital challenges. The upcoming Summit of the Future and the Global Digital Compact were identified as opportunities to renew the WSIS vision and enhance its implementation mechanisms.

**Noteworthy Observations:** The event highlighted the evolution of the WSIS process, which has seen an increase in participation, with over 120,000 participants from 160 countries, and improved gender balance, reaching 45% female participation last year. The WSIS process has been successful in fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation, but it needs to evolve to meet future needs and challenges.

In conclusion, the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High Level Event was a significant milestone in the journey of WSIS, celebrating the achievements of the past two decades while acknowledging the challenges that remain. The discussions set the stage for a week of dialogue aimed at shaping the future of global digital governance, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and meaningful connectivity. The “WSIS Plus 30” vision calls for a strengthened and more inclusive WSIS process, capable of addressing the opportunities and challenges of our increasingly digital world.

Session transcript

Intro:
And I said coach, you are going to lose, and encourage them. And I said, no, coach. I’m free. I’ll do everything, coach. You know I like that. I’m staying in my box. I’m doing completely independent, but I’ll still put up my arms and nothing but my hand and potatoes and keep my paycheck. All right. Thank you. How about practice life? I was just on a phone report meeting. Oh boy. And I situated around 15 minutes. So I ended up practicing at 6 o’clock. Got an invite in the morning. And I started practicing two hours into the weekend. A couple nights later, I said no. I said, no. I said, I don’t care. I don’t know how to practice. And so, I bought myself a PowerPoint with some background information. I took a bunch of classes, worked on myself, and went to practice all day all week under a cloud. And I realized, all right. I did it. I made it. I tried it, every day. And I started to do nothing about it till the day I was able to practice, and that is when I experienced the real truth the importance of running speed. Like all athletes every time when they hit a climb. Yeah. Another one, that one. Yeah, similar to the video. This one was actually something our sponsor posted a form to my website that train riders have been doing ever since. And so, they would send it to me, and it would be written, and I would look at it, and it would be me just about from my hospital office coming out of it from the warehouse. They would come in, they would come in. And keep it so that I could know how to do the things that they asked me to do. And I could become an athlete, and everybody looks for me to be like, yeah, yeah. My manager added to it that I went to that a chain of different triathlerons I think I was over 10, quite large. Another 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. The World Summit of Taste … … of Society, WSIS, a two-decade journey began in Geneva in 2003 to chart a course for the digital future and harness technology for positive change. WSIS continued to build an agency in 2005 in Tunisia, helping ensure inclusivity, transparency and fairness in the digital world. Bringing together governments, international organisations, the private sector, civil society, the technical community and research institutions, WSIS is dedicated to leveraging technology to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and bridge the digital divide. WSIS action lines have stood the test of time and continue to serve as a main reference point for global digital discussions. Back in 2003, only 785 million people had access to internet. By 2023, 5.4 billion people were connected. We’ve gone from 2G to 5G. Watch the evolution of the metaverse and seen the rapid development of AI. Through it all, WSIS has remained at the forefront of emerging technologies, always resilient, always relevant. But challenges remain, making the process more relevant than ever. Today, we come together to showcase all the progress of the last 20 years, to look at WSIS towards the summit of the future and beyond, and to continue driving meaningful progress towards a more inclusive and equitable digital society for all. Welcome to the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High Level Event 2024.

Gitanjali Sah:
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, wish you a very good morning and welcome to the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High Level Event. Thank you for joining us today. Over the next five days, we’ll reflect on our journey, tackle digital challenges and shape the future of global digital governance. Let’s dive into our successes, learn from our experiences and envision a more connected, inclusive world. Let’s begin with our high-level dialogue, the WSIS Moonshot. And I’d like to invite our Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Thomas Laminiscus, and the panelists who will be discussing the discussions at this high-level dialogue. Thank you very much. A big applause for our panelists. Deputy Secretary General, I’d like to ask you to start the dialogue.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
I think it’s on, no? Thank you very much, Gitanjali, and thank you, everyone, this morning. From the stage and setup this morning and the dramatic voice that Max started with, I think you’d expect some pop star here greeting you, but it will have to do with me in the beginning. So really, really big welcome to all of you to the WSIS Plus 20 High Level Event and Forum. We’ll have an opportunity to both review what we’ve done in the last 20 years and chart the path for the future. So when we started WSIS in 2003, World Summit Information Society represented a great vision and high ambition. The Internet was growing fast, but only 785 million people had access, 12.4% of the world’s population at the time. The WSIS participants in January 2003, over 11,000 actually of them from 175 countries, knew this was the start of the next era. They were early to recognize the Internet as a public good, a digital public good, one the whole world should share in. The Geneva Plan of Action gave us our framework to bridge the digital divide, enhance digital literacy, and foster sustainable digital development. Two years later, Internet access reached 1.1 billion, 16.8% of the global population. WSIS Part 2, held in Tunis in 2005, rallied over 19,000 participants in the push to create a more inclusive information society. By addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by information and communication technologies, ensuring the benefits of digital are accessible to all, and promoting sustainable development through the technology use. It was a bold statement that a digital revolution must leave no one behind. So how has the revolution progressed? An estimated 5.4 billion people, or 67% of the world’s population, are online in 2024. Digital platforms are key to modern societies and economies. And WSIS action lines are now inseparable from the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Internet, though not a goal as such, is central to SDG 9, about resilience, infrastructure, sustainable industrialization and innovation, and is an enabler for all 17 SDGs. In tandem, countries have created regulatory frameworks, implemented the government initiatives, introduced digital literacy programs, formulated cybersecurity strategies, and adopted inclusive digital development policies. It’s happening with the steady support of ITU, as well as our sister UN agencies, and all our partners in the WSIS process. Ladies and gentlemen, connectivity keeps growing, with fiber connectivity, mobile broadband, and satellites breaking new ground daily. But that still leaves some 2.6 billion people today, the last one-third of humanity, unconnected. And billions more held by weak infrastructure, low on existing digital skills, and a lack of relevant online content in their own languages, keeping them effectively excluded from the world’s accelerating digital transformation. At the same time, we face new challenges and opportunities brought to us by the explosive rise of technologies like artificial intelligence. And we face an imperative to harness them for the benefit of all, while ensuring the risks are managed. That’s where we are at WSIS Plus 20, as we decide on where to go from here. And therefore, I’m honored to moderate today’s first discussion here on the WSIS Moonshot, that will assess how far we have come in 20 years, and which direction we must take for the next 20. Our panel features, in a true WSIS spirit, the multi-stakeholder group, comprising of government, technical community, private sector, and civil society, all key stakeholder groups that are crucial for the WSIS process so far, and will be crucial in the future. So, I’m delighted to moderate this session and the panel with Mr. Thomas Schneider, Director of International Affairs of Ofcom, Digital Regulator here in Switzerland. And you’ll hear more about Swiss role here, I think, in an hour or so, in the next session, especially in the Swiss Forum. Then, His Excellency, Mr. Dr. Basun Tijani, Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy from Nigeria. Mr. Thomas Coughlin, 2024 President of the IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Ms. Maria Fernanda Garza, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce with us. And last, but definitely not least, computer networking pioneer and human rights defender, Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen, Senior Advisor for Global and Regional Internet Governance and the Association for Progressive Communications. So, it will be one round of quickfire questions, and we’ll get started with the energy of this morning. So, I really hope all the panelists have their coffee shots already, and they’re ready to go. So, we’ll start with Ambassador Schneider. So, Thomas, you’ve been involved in the WSIS from the very beginning in 2003, and you know the WSIS process very well. What do you expect from this WSIS plus 20 event and the WSIS plus 20 as such going forward, please?

Thomas Schneider:
Yes, thank you, and good morning, everyone. As you may know, Switzerland has been a key supporter of the WSIS from its very beginning here in Geneva 20 years ago. And this 20 years anniversary, of course, is a moment for celebration, but also a moment for reflection, because this year and the next will be important in setting the course of all our digital futures. Later this year, we know that we’ll have the Summit of the Future coming up with the GDC, Global Digital Compact, that should outline shared principles for an open, free, and secure digital future for us all. And then next year, we’ll have the big WSIS plus 20 overall review by UN General Assembly. For Switzerland, the GDC is an important tool to help updating the vision of WSIS and to strengthen the WSIS as the structure for implementing the WSIS and GDC vision. Switzerland is convinced that the WSIS, with its vision, but also with its inclusive approach among all stakeholders in their respective roles, that WSIS has not worked perfectly, but it has worked remarkably well. The WSIS architecture, including the leading UN departments, agencies, as well as this WSIS forum, the UN Internet Governance Forum, offer indispensable mechanisms to further mutual understanding and international cooperation and to shape the agenda in all other fora that take decisions on our digital future. The WSIS mechanisms are ideally placed to ensure a meaningful follow-up and periodic review of the Global Digital Compact outcomes and take us all to a next level of global digital cooperation. In this regard, avoiding duplication and making sure that our energies focus on making things happen for the people on the ground are essential for us. We therefore would like to work with you all in order to strengthen the WSIS process and its architecture and update it into a kind of WSIS+, fit for purpose to address the opportunities and challenges of our digital worlds. This means strengthening the multilateral system, including in particular the UN specialized agencies in their facilitating role, the CSCD as a system-wide follow-up, the WSIS forum as the forum to assess program made in achieving the WSIS goals, strengthening the IGF as the biggest global multistakeholder dialogue platform to discuss new and emerging as well as existing issues, and strengthening of the mutual reinforcement of the multilateral and multistakeholder approach. In this regard, the NetMundial guidelines that have been adopted last month in San Paolo could serve as a blueprint to make all processes, be they multilateral or multistakeholder, more inclusive and accountable. So we are proud to be the co-host with the ITU and all the partners of this WSIS20 High-Level Forum and we encourage you all to join our efforts to develop this WSIS+, which will be even more inclusive and accountable and should make sure that all voices of all people are heard in all processes of digital governance. Thank you.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
So thank you very much, Thomas, indeed, for very well summarizing the value of WSIS, but also challenging us to adapt to the new times. And of course, big thanks for Switzerland to being the host of WSIS from the very beginning in 2003, of course, with also the event in Tunisia, but also all these WSIS forums from the very beginning. So big thanks. So with that, we’ll move to Minister Tijani now. So Minister Tijani, Nigeria is a great example of the power of digital transformation to bring development and prosperity to the societies, especially young people. But it’s also, of course, an example of still the way and the road we need to travel to get there. And of course, it’s always very enlightening to talk to you about your ambitious agendas in this regard. But can you also explain how do you see it going forward, how digital transformation can help countries like Nigeria, but also how can global digital cooperation help you in that regard?

Dr. Bosun Tijani:
Thank you so much, DSG. Good morning, everyone. I think 20 years of WSIS is actually a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the gains that we’ve made as a global world in the last years. For a country like Nigeria, I think within that period, we’ve seen nearly 150 million people now being connected, over 200 million mobile phone lines. Like you mentioned, we’ve seen tremendous demonstration of the value of digital technologies and actually lifting society, but also raising the level of productivity across key sectors. Like many economies in Africa, where there’s constant battle and goal of diversifying the economy, I think digital technologies has demonstrated how technologies like that can help lift productivity in agriculture, in public health, and so many other sectors that are critical. But one thing that we’ve also seen as well is the changing narrative around inclusion. Whilst we still have so many people that we need to connect, I think the narrative is changing from connecting the unconnected into ensuring that we’re bringing the opportunities that exist across the world for the benefit of the network. Because I look at the world almost like a network, and the value of a network is truly in the opportunity given to every node that is part of it to contribute to its development. A continent like Africa has got tremendous, tremendous opportunity to help solve many of the challenges that we face in the world today. 60% of the population, over 1.4 billion people under the age of 30. In Nigeria, 70% are under the age of 25. That is the workforce of the future that we’re all seeking and looking for. So there’s a need to truly, truly accelerate opportunities, learning opportunities for these young people to be part of the global economy. And that’s something we’re prioritizing in Nigeria, where we’re now running the largest talent accelerator in the world, training 3 million technical talent. One thing we’re also doing is to accelerate investment in fiber optic network in the country. As you know, we have eight submarine cables already in Nigeria, but only just about 10% of that is being used. Now, the government is investing in 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable across the world. across the country, which will make it the third longest after Egypt and South Africa in Nigeria. And I think Thomas mentioned digital governance, which is something that is actually we should all pay significant attention to, because we live in a world today where trust is being eroded. One of the best ways in which we can rebuild trust is meeting our people at a point of their needs. I’ve been visiting Finland and Estonia. You can see what’s being done with the use of technology to actually serve people during life events, whether it’s the period where a child is given birth to, when you register for marriage, or you go to school, or you start a business. Digital technology offers a significant opportunity for us to help improve the way government deliver those services. But we can’t do so if we don’t invest in the digital public infrastructure that you mentioned, if government doesn’t have a clarity around ensuring that we have a whole of government approach to the use of technology. And which is why in Nigeria, again, one of the biggest tasks I’ve been given is to actually build a data exchange system, connecting every part of government, making sure all MDAs share data seamlessly. Of course, taking into consideration security as well. So I think we have a unique opportunity moving forward from what we’ve created. We’ve demonstrated the value of these technologies. Our goal now is to ensure that we can truly, truly leapfrog the application of digital technologies for our collective prosperity.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
So thank you, thank you very much, Minister. Indeed, these are very inspiring words showing how this huge potential of empower young population with digital technologies. But of course, we can only achieve that if we have the right pieces of infrastructure in place. We have physical infrastructure, but we need, as you say, more than that, through the full inclusion, through digital transformation as well. So I think this is exactly the WSIS framework to look at all the different aspects of the digital economy and to make sure that we harness them all. And indeed, Minister, will be great to work with you further in this WSIS forum. And we have a great also working item on submarine cable resilience as well. So it’s another thing how we need and how we as through the WSIS community are strengthening the infrastructure and also empowering everyone. Thanks a lot. So with that, I’m moving to Thomas Coughlin from IEEE. So Thomas, why do you think standards will play such a big role in reaching SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals, and for the future of WSIS, please?

Dr. Thomas Coughlin:
Thank you very much, Secretary General, honorable ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I’m honored to be here today and to speak on behalf of IEEE on the 20th anniversary of WSIS. This milestone represents two decades of collective effort to harness the power of information and communication technologies for development, inclusion and progress. As the world’s largest technical professional organization, representing over 460,000 members in over 190 countries, we are dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Our dedicated members develop standards that contribute to creating a better, sustainable future for all. We are witnessing rapid developments in technology with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology and more. These innovations have tremendous potential for transforming industries, improving human health and solving complex problems. But these technologies bring new challenges and uncertainties such as ethical dilemmas and privacy concerns, and they also create the need for foundational elements that ensure technology serves the broader societal goals of efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility. Standards enable technologies to work seamlessly together, ensuring that products and services are reliable, secure, safe, scalable and efficient. Standards are the unseen force behind today’s technological innovations and a growing circular economy. In the context of sustainability, ICT standards are vitally important for several reasons. Emerging technologies produce new opportunities for improving energy efficiency and the support to transition to a more sustainable future as energy availability and consumption are some of the most pressing challenges of our time. ICT standards are playing a pivotal role in defining the data center resource use, providing the framework needed to make them more resource efficient and to optimize energy use while providing required services. Standards support the transition to a circular economy where products and materials are reused, refurbished and recycled. Standards for e-waste management, recycling and material recovery ensure that valuable resources are reclaimed, therefore reducing the strain on our environment. Standards create a level playing field for innovation. They enable different stakeholders using a true multi-stakeholder collaborative environment to develop solutions that work together to drive progress towards the sustainable development goals. As we look to the future and YSYS plus 30, the role of standards and the technical community in general will only grow in importance. Emerging technologies hold great potential for sustainable development. However, the responsible deployment hinges on the establishment of comprehensive standards that address ethical, environmental and societal considerations. Standards are the invisible thread that weave together the fabric of our digital society, ensuring that technical advances are aligned with sustainable, inclusive, principled and prosperous future. Thank you.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
Thank you very much, Thomas. And indeed, I think it’s very good to highlight from technical community that we cannot just have a policy discussion, now we need to back up it with a technology. And I really appreciate your very optimistic outlook. I’ve heard you talking about YSYS plus 30, so really looking forward to that. And also I think maybe we need to already have it, have someone in the tagline here, towards the YSYS plus 30. Thank you very much. And now we’ll move to the private sector, to Maria Fernanda Garza. And indeed, Maria, from the private sector perspective, what have been the main achievements and challenges in implementing the YSYS vision and how can we best prepare for the future in people’s century inclusive and development oriented information society, please.

Maria Fernanda Garza:
Thank you, Thomas. International Chamber of Commerce is the institutional representative of more than 45 million companies in over 170 countries. And through a unique mix of advocacy, solutions and standard setting, we promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation. Our members include many of the world’s leading companies, SMEs, business association and local chambers of commerce. And we were founded in 1919 for over 100 years now. ICC has served as a voice of global businesses across many international organization and multi-stakeholder fora. And ICC was the business focal point for the YSYS process that started here in Geneva over 20 years ago. Since then, business has continued to stay engaged through ICC’s business action to support the information society initiative on the YSYS follow up workstream and convenes here at the YSYS forum year by year to take stock of the implementation of the YSYS action lines and chart the path forward with partners from all stakeholders. There were two main consideration reached at YSYS 20 years ago. First, that information and communication technologies, the internet and digital technologies hold an enormous potential for inclusive social and economic growth. And second, that these potential can only be truly unlocked through multi-stakeholder cooperation between governance, business, civil society and the technical and academic community. These have held true over the years with multi-stakeholder collaboration anchored in the YSYS action lines and the Tunis agenda, continuing to enable partnership to spread meaningful connectivity across the globe. Business takes its role in advancing the global agenda very, very seriously. And we are working with governments and stakeholder communities around the globe to inform and partner for better policy outcomes to serve our shared interests. The private sector has been and continues to be an important actor in deploying internet related infrastructure, innovating and delivering a wide range of ICT applications and services, as well as supporting skilling and capacity building initiatives. It’s on these investments that local and global digital ecosystems have flourished. Sustainable private sector investment will continue to be a principal factor in pursuing further economic and social development. Aligning public policies that promote rather than deter investment in infrastructure, technologies, applications and services is paramount. By enabling participation from all relevant stakeholders, governments can generate policies that are timely, scalable and innovation enabling. While we have come a long way, we still have a lot of work to do. There are billions of people who are waiting for the opportunity to join the human centric, inclusive and development oriented information society that we all envision at YSYS. As we look ahead to the review of the YSYS process and beyond, we must remember the lessons learned 20 years ago and ever since. The multi-stakeholder model is how we will connect everyone and everything to a better future. The YSYS plus 20 review should aim to continue to strengthen, spread and enable this model. And I look forward to discuss further throughout the forum and I wish you all a very productive week.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
Thank you very much, Maria Fernanda. And indeed, you know, we cannot achieve sustainable digital inclusion without private sector investment and private sector energy. And so it’s great to have had private sectors active member of this multi-stakeholder community for 20 years. And we’re looking forward to many years more. Thanks very much. And indeed, now we move to civil society. So, Henriette Esterhoyer-Klausen. So Henriette, civil society has had an important role in YSYS. And can you elaborate a little bit on that role and how it evolved in the last 20 years and what has gone well, what’s not done well so we can learn from it and what you would envisage the role to be in the future. Please, Henriette.

Anriette Esterhuysen:
Thanks very much, Thomas. I think for civil society, the systemic approach of YSYS was immensely useful and powerful. The fact that the action lines delve into particular areas of implementation enabled cooperation with government, at ministry level, at departmental level. It enabled learning about the specificity and the challenges of integrating ICTs into education, into food security, into media freedom. So I think that was a powerful structural element of YSYS that created opportunity for civil society from grassroots implementation level to policy advocacy level. I think what has also been incredibly powerful has been the opportunity to work in partnership with other stakeholders. This is a partnership that’s not always easy, it’s not always smooth, but it’s a partnership that’s beneficial to civil society and we believe to other stakeholders as well. I think the other progress that has taken place since YSYS is a deeper understanding of what is meant by the YSYS principles of being human rights-centered, people-centered development that’s human rights-oriented and the body of work that has been done by UN agencies, by the Office of the High Commission on Human Rights, by UNESCO, in understanding how human rights apply has been work that civil society has been instrumental in and has also been able to use to hold states and corporations accountable. I think what has not been good and what we feel is concerning is that there’s a shift from the WSIS focus on people-centeredness and development to a focus on digital. Now we use the term, the global digital compact, digital cooperation. It’s as if people, humans, institutions are a little bit in the background. The other real concern is that digital inequality persists and I think the minister from Nigeria has put this very well. We cannot stop at looking at the fact that billions of people are connected. If that connection is not meaningful, if it doesn’t enable meaningful, effective participation in the information society, it actually can result in the digital inequality gap getting wider as there’s more sophisticated and expansive application of ICTs in everyday lives. Those people who are not effectively connected are even more excluded than they would have been. The other concern, and I think the role of the private sector is obviously critical, but we also have to confront the fact that there’s been so much concentration of ownership and control in relatively few big global companies. And this presents challenges for developing countries who are trying to diversify dynamic ICT markets at home that are inclusive, that include from small to large business investments. I think going forward really, I really like the idea of versus plus 30. I think that should be a mantra. I think we have to put people first. We have to invest in digital equality, equality within countries, but also between countries. And we have to acknowledge failure. We have not succeeded to the extent that we wanted to at the end of 2003 in particular. And we have to confront new challenges such as climate change. And then finally, we have to harness the opportunity presented by the Global Digital Compact and the Summit of the Future to not fragment the efforts of the WSIS agencies and of the broader WSIS community, including the Internet Governance Forum and its national and regional IGFs, but rather to strengthen those initiatives and focus it more and integrate WSIS and SDGs as it should have been from the outset.

Tomas Lamanauskas:
So thank you very much, Anne-Marie. And thank you very much of highlighting this spirit of partnership that WSIS community and WSIS process was known for. I think today in global environment, it’s very much needed. So probably it’s something a lot to learn from, even if you show, and even in your speech today, demonstrate some tensions that still exist between different stakeholder groups, indeed. And of course, thank you for highlighting that importance of bringing people back into the center, or at least, or hopefully keeping them in the center. And also I think sometimes words do matter when we use, so how we use that as well. And of course, the final, I think, Thomas, you’re the winner of this panel with the WSIS plus 30 mantra. I think we’ll kind of, this is something that we probably will pick up further as well. So I think indeed, I think it’s important to look at the future. So ladies and gentlemen, indeed, just in closing, I’m sorry for the panelists to putting just in a quick fire remarks and not giving much time to respond. I think it will be a lot of time to discussing this five days. So indeed, ladies and gentlemen, two decades of WSIS have exemplified the crucial cooperation action. The WSIS forum over the years, over 15 years actually, has attracted over 120,000 participants from 160 countries, both in person and virtually. We’re also proud that we improved gender balance, which is also important aspect in these global events, from less than 30% of women in 2003 to 45% of women last year. And we hope that the figures, the registration figures and participation figures when we see it this year, will bring us even closer to the equality. 234 WSIS prize winners have put WSIS ambition in practice. The WSIS stock taking database tracks over 13,000 digital projects aligned with the ZGs. We have also cemented the multi-stakeholder model in both the WSIS forum and the Internet of Governance forum and brought specialized agencies together, United Nations Group on Information Society. Our process has evolved with the emergence of new technologies, artificial intelligence, especially has stunned the world with its potential for good, just as it has unearthed anxiety about its risks. The AI for Good Summit later this week explores how AI can help achieve ZGs. On Wednesday, it kicks off with our first AI Governance Day, focused on shifting from principles to practice. And we believe this makes also a fitting compliment to WSIS Plus 20. Friends, WSIS outcomes will be a vital ingredient at the UN Summit of the Future in September, and both in harnessing multi-stakeholder energy for shaping the global digital compact and in offering a powerful implementation platform. For this, the WSIS process must, and it has proven that it can, keep evolving to meet future needs. Actually, it must keep being evolved and developed by all of us, us meaning WSIS community. So thank you with that, and thank you panelists for this great start to today. And thank you everyone, and we’ll continue the event. Thank you very much.

AE

Anriette Esterhuysen

Speech speed

167 words per minute

Speech length

664 words

Speech time

239 secs


Report

The systematic methodology established by YSYS (Your System, Your Society) has remarkably improved the collaborative efforts between civil society and the government, culminating in the successful integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across various essential sectors. The action lines spearheaded by YSYS have not only encouraged cross-departmental partnerships but have also shed light on the distinct challenges associated with infusing technology into sectors such as education, food security, and media freedom.

Civil society’s comprehensive engagement, ranging from implementation to policy advocacy, has been crucial in adopting human rights-centred, people-oriented development principles as delineated by YSYS. Their pivotal role in utilising frameworks and guidelines from UN agencies, particularly from offices such as the High Commission on Human Rights and UNESCO, exemplifies a drive towards ensuring state and corporate accountability in the realm of digital governance.

Nonetheless, the evolving narrative within the information society presents pressing issues. Firstly, the drift from the initial World Summit on the Information Society aim of a people-centred approach towards a more ‘global digital compact’ narrative indicates a potential overshadowing of human aspects by digital ideologies.

Furthermore, digital inequality remains a persistent barrier; the mere provision of connectivity fails to guarantee effective inclusion. Without fostering capacity for impactful and efficient participation, technological advancements risk widening the gap, further alienating those who are already disconnected. An additional point of concern is the concentration of ownership and influence within a small number of large corporations.

This is particularly challenging for developing countries striving to establish robust and inclusive local ICT sectors that are capable of scaling from small to significant business contributions. Looking forward, the importance of prioritising people and investing in digital equality is highlighted.

It is essential to recognise the need for equitable access to digital opportunities as a fundamental value, both internationally and within nations. A candid reflection on the limited success achieved since the commencement of these objectives in 2003 serves as a foundation for future goals.

Additionally, contemporary probes such as climate change demand urgent attention and integration into these dynamics. In a decisive manner, the necessity for leveraging the potential offered by conceptions like the Global DigitalCompact and the Summit of the Future is stressed.

The aim is to unify the efforts of WSIS bodies and the extensive community, which encompasses the Internet Governance Forum along with its national and regional counterparts, rather than allowing fragmentation. The advocacy is for strengthening these alliances to promote an integrated approach that aligns WSIS principles with the Sustainable Development Goals from inception, ensuring a cohesive and undivided push towards a human-centred digital future.

DB

Dr. Bosun Tijani

Speech speed

175 words per minute

Speech length

687 words

Speech time

236 secs


Report

Good morning. As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Nigeria’s progress in digital connectivity is a notable case study. The country has successfully connected approximately 150 million people and witnessed a significant increase in mobile phone subscriptions, now over 200 million.

Nigeria’s advances showcase the dramatic effects of the global digital revolution. This digital leap has enhanced productivity in critical sectors, such as agriculture and public health, aligning with the ongoing economic diversification in many African nations. The emphasis has progressed from merely achieving connectivity to ensuring digital inclusion, aiming for an integrated global network where each participant can equally share and benefit from technological advancements.

African youth, particularly in Nigeria where 70% of the population is under 25, is a demographic boon, forming a substantial future workforce. Nigeria’s large-scale talent accelerator programme is a critical endeavour targeting the training of 3 million technical talents, key for assimilating young Nigerians into the international economy and fostering national innovation and affluence.

Infrastructure development is equally a priority, with Nigeria investing in a 90,000-kilometre fibre optic network, which, upon completion, will make it the owner of the third-longest network in Africa. This aims to elevate digital capacity utilisation, leveraging submarine cables that are currently underused.

Moreover, digital governance is gaining attention as Nigeria seeks to utilise technology to restore institutional trust. Learning from the success of Finland and Estonia, Nigeria is aiming to develop digital public infrastructures that employ a comprehensive, government-wide approach to tech application.

Practically, this has led to directives for creating an integrated data exchange among government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). The goal is to streamline data sharing effectively and securely, thus improving governance and public service efficiency. In summary, Nigeria exemplifies how digital technology can be pivotal in enhancing a nation’s economic and governance realms.

As we mark two decades since WSIS, Nigeria demonstrates how strategic use of digital technology can drive prosperity and position a nation for a digitally empowered future.

DT

Dr. Thomas Coughlin

Speech speed

162 words per minute

Speech length

501 words

Speech time

185 secs


Arguments

Standards are vital for seamless integration of technologies, reliability, security, and efficiency.

Supporting facts:

  • Standards enable technologies to work seamlessly together
  • Standards ensure that products and services are reliable, secure, safe, scalable and efficient

Topics: ICT Standards, Technology Integration, Reliability, Security, Efficiency


Standards play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development and environmental responsibility.

Supporting facts:

  • ICT standards are important for energy efficiency and supporting sustainable future
  • Standards define data center resource use and optimize energy
  • Standards support circular economy with reuse, refurbishment, and recycling
  • Standards for e-waste management help reclaim valuable resources

Topics: Sustainable Development, Environmental Responsibility, ICT Standards


Developing comprehensive standards is essential for ethical, environmental, and societal aspects of new technologies.

Supporting facts:

  • New technologies bring challenges and a need for standards to ensure they serve societal goals
  • Responsible deployment of technologies requires comprehensive standards considering ethical, environmental, and societal factors

Topics: Ethical Considerations, Environmental Impact, Societal Impact, Standards Development


Standards foster a level playing field for innovation and progress towards sustainable development goals.

Supporting facts:

  • Standards enable multi-stakeholder collaboration
  • They drive progress towards the sustainable development goals by facilitating compatible solutions

Topics: Innovation, Sustainable Development Goals, ICT Standards


Report

The significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standards in the seamless integration and utilisation of technological systems is paramount. These standards are crucial in ensuring that technologies work in harmony, which is essential for technology integration. They form the core foundations of reliability, security, and efficiency in products and services – vital characteristics in today’s interconnected world.

Standards provide consistent protocols and guidelines that enable the development of compatible and interoperable solutions, fuelling innovation and technological advancement. ICT standards play a significant role in furthering sustainable development. They contribute to energy efficiency, addressing Sustainable Development Goals such as affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).

Standards delineating the efficient use of resources in data centres are key to reducing the digital industry’s carbon footprint. Additionally, guidelines promoting circular economy practices, including reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of ICT equipment, help reduce waste and the environmental impact of technology.

E-waste management standards are crucial for material reclamation, thus decreasing environmental degradation due to technology production and disposal. The ethical, environmental, and societal implications of emerging technologies also highlight the importance of ICT standards. New advancements, such as in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, present ethical and privacy challenges requiring careful navigation.

The development of comprehensive standards in these areas ensures that these potent technologies contribute positively to society and do not cause inadvertent damage. Collaboration in standard development, facilitated by ICT standards, is vital for fostering innovation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and partnership for the goals (SDG 17).

Standards provide a foundation for equal opportunity in technological advancement, enabling diverse stakeholders to drive global progress collectively. Upon detailed analysis, it is clear that standards play a pivotal role in the trustworthy deployment of emerging technologies. Their robustness and alignment with societal values engender public trust in new tech developments.

In summary, the multifaceted role of standards is evident in their contribution to a technological ecosystem that is secure, efficient, and responsible. They are essential not only for current technological coherence but also as a platform for future tech solutions to be developed ethically and sustainably.

The perspective on ICT standards underscores their critical importance and proactive influence in shaping the evolving digital landscape. The outlook towards ICT standards is universally affirmative, emphasising their necessity and influential role. The text has been reviewed for grammatical accuracy, sentence structure, and UK spelling and grammar conventions.

Long-tail keywords have been incorporated to improve SEO without sacrificing the quality of the summary.

GS

Gitanjali Sah

Speech speed

118 words per minute

Speech length

132 words

Speech time

67 secs


Report

Good morning to all gathered at the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event. As we embark on this week-long deliberation, our goal is to critically assess the progress in the digital landscape over the last two decades, tackle current challenges, and chart a strategy for the future of global digital governance.

Throughout the next five days, we’ll reflect on our achievements in leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development, celebrating the successful practices that have enabled a more inclusive digital society. However, we will also confront the existing challenges and disparities, particularly those affecting underserved and marginalised communities.

Our dialogues aim to learn from past experiences to inform our future approach to these issues. Looking ahead, we are committed to creating a digitally united global community, with connectivity overcoming all geographical and socio-economic barriers. Inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to ensure our decisions reflect a wide range of expertise.

Opening with the symbolic ‘WSIS Moonshot’ dialogue, we are inspired by the ambitious goal-setting reminiscent of the historic moon landing, as we address the task of shaping the future of information society. With a panel of experts and our Deputy Secretary General, Mr.

Thomas Laminiscus, we will set the tone for the upcoming sessions, hoping to initiate discussions that could shape the next phase of the information society. Thanking all participants for their involvement, I look forward to your contributions to this collaborative vision.

Let’s warmly welcome Mr. Laminiscus and the panelists as they commence this high-level dialogue. I am now honoured to hand over to the Deputy Secretary General, who will lead our initial discussion and lay the groundwork for a week of productive collaboration and innovation.

I

Intro

Speech speed

174 words per minute

Speech length

656 words

Speech time

226 secs


Report

The speaker opens by detailing a dialogue with their coach that showcases a determined mindset geared towards practice and discipline within their sporting career. Despite the coach’s cautionary words about the possibility of defeat, the speaker maintains confidence and a sense of autonomy in their approach to training.

They commit to fulfilling all necessary tasks while adhering to their values and boundaries. Their pursuit of independence does not prevent them from valuing the coach’s advice or from focusing intently on their athletic aspirations. This commitment manifests in a rigorous training regime, featuring early morning sessions and weekend commitments, reflecting their tireless drive for perfection.

Throughout the narrative, the athlete encounters moments of self-doubt concerning their training strategies. These are swiftly overcome by proactive efforts in self-improvement and learning, such as preparing PowerPoint presentations and partaking in educational courses. These personal development activities underpin a solid and unyielding week-long training practice, often in difficult circumstances, as suggested by references to practising “under a cloud.” The payoff for these relentless efforts is an improvement in running speed, a crucial skill set for any dedicated athlete, and a deeper appreciation for this capability amidst the competitive ‘climbs’ they encounter.

The athlete’s influence extends beyond their physical prowess to the digital realm, where their sponsor integrates training forms on the athlete’s website. This online presence fosters a sense of community amongst followers and positions the speaker as an inspirational figure.

The expectations set by their manager, who highlights the athlete’s engagement in triathlons, underscore this influence. Parallel to the athlete’s personal experiences, the summary addresses the global digital landscape from the perspective of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Launching in Geneva in 2003, WSIS envisaged a transformative path for employing technology to benefit society. WSIS’s dedication to inclusiveness, fairness, and transparency mirrors the athlete’s values of self-reliance and the relentless quest for excellence. The evolution from 2G to 5G, the emergence of the metaverse, and the strides in AI demonstrate the digital advancements monitored by WSIS.

Reflecting historically, the increase in global internet access denotes the summit’s ongoing importance as a cornerstone for discussions on international digital policy. As the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 approaches its twentieth anniversary, it continues to herald digital advancements whilst addressing persistent challenges, illustrating the WSIS mission’s enduring significance.

The vision for a digital society, foregrounding inclusivity and fairness, parallels the essence of the athlete’s story, which personifies individual success derived from consistent self-discipline, resilience, and unwavering adherence to personal ethics.

MF

Maria Fernanda Garza

Speech speed

138 words per minute

Speech length

592 words

Speech time

257 secs


Report

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) represents a vast network of more than 45 million companies from over 170 countries, including major corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), business associations, and local chambers of commerce. Founded in 1919, the ICC has played a crucial role in formulating global business policies and continues to be a powerful advocate for the business community in international arenas and multi-stakeholder discussions.

A key aspect of the ICC’s work was its role as the business focal point in the YSYS process initiated in Geneva over 20 years ago. This process acknowledged the transformative potential of the internet and digital technologies for inclusive social and economic development.

Furthermore, it recognised the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration involving governments, businesses, civil society, and the technical and academic communities to achieve this potential. The ICC commends the multi-stakeholder partnerships fostered by the YSYS action lines and the Tunis agenda, which have been instrumental in expanding meaningful global connectivity.

The private sector’s contribution, through infrastructure deployment, innovation in ICT applications and services, and support for skill-building educational initiatives, has been key to nurturing robust local and global digital ecosystems. The ICC continues to work with governments and stakeholders worldwide and emphasises that policies should promote rather than hinder private sector investment, which is essential for ongoing economic and social advancement.

Despite significant progress, the ICC recognises that substantial efforts are needed to fulfil the vision of a comprehensive information society as envisaged by the YSYS. With billions still disconnected, the ICC believes in the proven efficacy of the multi-stakeholder model to connect everyone to a better future.

In anticipation of the YSYS plus 20 review, the ICC advocates for a focus on learning from the past two decades and strengthening the reach and impact of the multi-stakeholder model. This would ensure the realisation of a fully inclusive information society.

The ICC looks forward to actively participating in forthcoming discussions, hoping to promote outcomes that align with these objectives.

TS

Thomas Schneider

Speech speed

170 words per minute

Speech length

520 words

Speech time

184 secs


Arguments

Celebration and reflection are essential for WSIS Plus 20.

Supporting facts:

  • The 20th anniversary of WSIS is a moment to celebrate and reflect.
  • Important events such as the Summit of the Future and the Global Digital Compact will shape the future of digital cooperation.

Topics: WSIS Plus 20, Digital Futures, Global Digital Cooperation


Switzerland actively supports the WSIS process.

Supporting facts:

  • Switzerland has been a key supporter since the WSIS inception in Geneva.
  • Switzerland aims to strengthen WSIS for better digital futures.

Topics: WSIS Process, Digital Cooperation


WSIS+, an update to WSIS, is needed to address current and future digital challenges.

Supporting facts:

  • Switzerland views the WSIS+ as a means to update and strengthen WSIS to tackle emerging opportunities and challenges.
  • The WSIS+ structure is proposed to better implement the visions of WSIS and the Global Digital Compact.

Topics: WSIS+, Digital Governance


Embracing a multi-stakeholder approach is crucial for digital governance.

Topics: Multistakeholder Approach, Digital Governance


Report

The 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a significant milestone, serving as a moment to celebrate achievements in the arena of global digital cooperation, as well as to reflect on progress made. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 9, which emphasises industry, innovation, and infrastructure, WSIS Plus 20 is a vital time to appreciate advancements and set a trajectory for future collective efforts in the digital landscape.

Switzerland has been a steadfast supporter of the WSIS process from its inception in Geneva, exemplifying the commitment to digital progression embodied by Sustainable Development Goal 17, which underscores the importance of partnerships to achieve global objectives. Switzerland’s support is indicative of a broader commitment to leveraging WSIS as a vehicle for fostering better digital futures.

The WSIS to WSIS+ transition highlights the need for an updated approach to tackle the dynamic spectrum of digital opportunities and challenges that arise. Pertinent to both SDGs 9 and 17, the debate suggests that an enhanced WSIS structure is imperative for realising the visions of WSIS and the Global Digital Compact.

Such progress is crucial to maintain momentum in the fast-paced digital environment. Moreover, embracing a multi-stakeholder approach is acclaimed as a cheapstone for effective digital governance. Initiatives such as the WSIS Forum and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) exemplify the benefits of dialogue platforms that engage various societal stakeholders.

This method aligns with SDG 17 and reinforces engagement from all quarters as vital to the democratic shaping of digital governance. There is also an advocatory push for inclusive and accountable mechanisms within digital governance to guarantee broad participation. The NetMundial guidelines, produced in São Paulo, provide guidance for such inclusivity and accountability.

WSIS+’s goal to forge digital governance systems that encapsulate all voices, mirrors this ideal, resonating with SDGs 10, 16, and 17. These goals converge on the necessity to reduce inequalities, promote justice, and strengthen institutions. The feedback from these perspectives is resoundingly positive, reflecting on the strides taken in digital cooperation and the need for an engaged, continuous drive toward a connected and inclusive digital era.

The optimism and resolve evident in these discussions highlight the collective awareness that adaptability and vigilance are paramount in the pursuit of sustainable and fair digital development. WSIS Plus 20 not only offers a moment for retrospective appreciation but also acts as a guiding light towards the future of equitable digital engagement.

TL

Tomas Lamanauskas

Speech speed

196 words per minute

Speech length

2162 words

Speech time

663 secs


Arguments

Reflect on digital journey and shape future governance

Supporting facts:

  • Forum spans five days, aiming to reflect on the journey and tackle digital challenges
  • Envisions a more connected and inclusive world

Topics: WSIS Plus 20 Forum, digital governance


WSIS represents a significant vision and ambition

Supporting facts:

  • WSIS started in 2003 when internet was growing rapidly
  • Only 785 million people had access to the internet, which was 12.4% of the world population at that time

Topics: WSIS, digital revolution


WSIS action lines are integral to achieving the UN SDGs

Supporting facts:

  • Internet is central to SDG 9 which focuses on resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and innovation
  • Internet acts as an enabler for all 17 SDGs

Topics: WSIS action lines, UN Sustainable Development Goals


The digital divide remains significant

Supporting facts:

  • 2.6 billion people are still unconnected
  • Weak infrastructure and lack of digital skills exacerbate the divide

Topics: digital divide, Internet access


Emerging technologies bring new challenges and opportunities

Supporting facts:

  • Technological advancements like AI need to be harnessed for the benefit of all while managing risks

Topics: artificial intelligence, digital transformation


WSIS Plus 20 pivotal in determining future digital initiatives

Supporting facts:

  • The event is an opportunity to assess progress and set directions for the next two decades

Topics: WSIS Plus 20, digital initiatives


Private sector investment and energy are crucial for sustainable digital inclusion

Supporting facts:

  • Private sector’s historical role as an active member of the multi-stakeholder community for 20 years
  • Acknowledgment of private sector’s necessary involvement for future advancements

Topics: Private Sector, Digital Inclusion, Investment, Multi-stakeholder Community


Importance of partnership in WSIS community

Supporting facts:

  • WSIS community known for spirit of partnership
  • Tensions exist between stakeholder groups

Topics: WSIS Process, Multi-stakeholder Model, Global Cooperation


The need for a people-centered focus in digital discussions

Supporting facts:

  • Concern about shift from people-centeredness to a focus on digital
  • The term ‘global digital compact’ seems to overshadow the human aspect

Topics: Human Rights, Digital Equality, Inclusivity


WSIS forum’s success in global participation and gender balance improvement

Supporting facts:

  • Over 120,000 participants from 160 countries
  • Gender balance improved from less than 30% to 45% of women

Topics: WSIS forum, Global Engagement, Gender Equality


Multi-stakeholder model’s importance and integration of specialized agencies

Supporting facts:

  • Multi-stakeholder model cemented in WSIS and IGF
  • United agencies in cooperation

Topics: UN Group on Information Society, Internet Governance Forum, Multi-stakeholder Involvement


Artificial Intelligence’s dual potential and associated governance

Supporting facts:

  • AI’s potential for good and risks
  • AI Governance Day

Topics: Artificial Intelligence, AI for Good Summit, SDGs


Adaptation of WSIS process to future needs

Supporting facts:

  • WSIS process must keep evolving
  • Will be vital at UN Summit of the Future

Topics: Digital Evolution, WSIS Adaptability, Future Needs


Report

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plus 20 Forum is a testament to global ambition, as it endeavours to evaluate and mould the future of digital governance. Commemorating twenty years since WSIS’s establishment in 2003, this pivotal forum convenes a five-day meeting with the purpose of reflecting on the progress made within the digital sphere and engaging with the pressing challenges that remain.

Central to the forum’s vision is the commitment to creating a world that is more interconnected and inclusive, an aspiration that has been met with positive reception. Since its origin, when only a small fraction—12.4%—of the global population had internet access, WSIS has signalled a significant vision and dedication, shaping the scaffold of the digital revolution and sustaining its pertinence in the contemporary digital landscape.

The forum recognises the fundamental connection between the WSIS action lines and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, SDG 9 emphasises the importance of resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialisation, and innovation—elements in which the internet plays a driving role as an enabler across all 17 SDGs.

However, the forum also acknowledges the negative impact of the continued predominance of the digital divide—2.6 billion individuals remain without internet connection due to insufficient infrastructure and a lack of digital literacy. In light of new technological advances, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the WSIS Plus 20 Forum remains neutral yet strategic, recognising the dualities of new challenges and promising opportunities.

These topics lie at the heart of the forum’s discussions, guiding the future of diverse digital initiatives. The active dialogue within the forum also sheds light on the critical contribution of the private sector to digital inclusion and to achieving SDG 9 and SDG 17.

The sector’s historic role in the multi-stakeholder community is lauded, reflecting two decades of impactful participation and fuelling optimism for its continued influence on the advancement of digital technologies and partnerships for shared goals. Characterised by a spirit of partnership, the WSIS process endorses a multi-stakeholder model fostering global cooperation.

Despite tangible tensions, this partnership model has been a key to uniting agencies in their cooperative endeavours, demonstrating the partnership-centric nature of the WSIS community, which also reflects in the triumphs of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). A note of caution arises with a growing concern around a shift from a human-centred approach to a predominantly digital focus, underlining the need to foreground human rights, digital equality, and inclusivity, rather than permitting these aspects to be eclipsed by a ‘global digital compact’.

The WSIS forum’s success is also marked by significant strides in global engagement and gender parity—a proud achievement highlighted by the stark increase in female participation from under 30% to 45% and the broad reach that now encompasses over 120,000 participants from 160 countries.

Additionally, the multi-stakeholder model’s vital importance is affirmed within the efforts of UN specialised agencies, ensuring its integral status within the information society. The forum approaches artificial intelligence with cautious optimism, recognising AI’s transformative potential for good, which is discussed at the “AI for Good Summit”, alongside the imperative for sound governance to mitigate associated risks.

In summary, the evolution of the WSIS process is actively championed, deemed essential for remaining relevant to emerging challenges and opportunities. This adaptive capacity will be crucial at the UN Summit of the Future, where the WSIS expects to wield a significant influence in directing the global digital agenda towards a future that is more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive.