Leaders TalkX: Accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era

Summary

This discussion focused on accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era, featuring leaders from multiple countries sharing their national strategies and initiatives. The session was moderated by Professor Abdulkarim Oloyede and aligned with WSIS Action Line C3, emphasizing that access to information and knowledge is a fundamental human right rather than a privilege.

Cambodia’s Minister Dr. Chia highlighted their digital transformation efforts, including AI translators for the visually impaired, digital scholarships, and community access points in rural areas. Ghana’s Minister Samuel Nartey George discussed their multistakeholder approach involving government, private sector, and civil society, announcing a $1 billion agreement with UAE to build Africa’s first AI hub and a program to re-skill one million Ghanaians. Indonesia’s Minister Meutya Viada Hafid presented their 10,000 Digital Villages program, which has connected over 3.8 million citizens to digital services, alongside their Digital Talent Scholarship that has trained nearly 400,000 individuals since 2018.

Russia’s Deputy Minister Grigoriy Borisenko reported that over 90% of Russian households have high-speed internet access and emphasized their investments in AI technologies. Turkey’s Minister Omer Fatih Sayan stressed the importance of ethical AI development, citing recent concerns about AI systems that ignore basic human rights principles. The Dominican Republic’s Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara described their Rapid Skills Centers targeting young people in marginalized communities, particularly focusing on women and border areas with high poverty rates.

The discussion concluded with recognition that universal access to information remains a cornerstone of sustainable development and human rights, requiring continued multistakeholder cooperation to create truly inclusive digital societies.

Keypoints

**Major Discussion Points:**

– **Digital Infrastructure Development and Connectivity**: Multiple countries shared their efforts to expand internet access and digital infrastructure, with Indonesia highlighting their 10,000 Digital Villages program and 4G expansion, Cambodia discussing community access points in rural areas, and the Dominican Republic focusing on connecting marginalized border communities.

– **Human Capital Development and Digital Skills Training**: A central theme across all presentations was the importance of building digital literacy and skills alongside infrastructure, including Indonesia’s Digital Talent Scholarship program training 400,000 individuals, Ghana’s 1 Million Quotas Program for reskilling, and the Dominican Republic’s Rapid Skills Centers teaching programming and AI to young people.

– **Public-Private Partnerships and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration**: Countries emphasized the critical role of partnerships between government, private sector, civil society, and international organizations, with Ghana highlighting their $1 billion AI hub agreement with UAE and collaborative programs with MTN, Huawei, and Google.

– **Ethical AI Development and Responsible Technology**: Turkey raised important concerns about AI ethics, citing recent examples of AI systems spreading hate speech and emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in AI development.

– **Inclusive Digital Transformation for Marginalized Communities**: All speakers emphasized ensuring no one is left behind, with specific focus on women, rural populations, people with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged groups, such as Cambodia’s AI translator for the visually impaired and the Dominican Republic’s programs targeting single mothers.

**Overall Purpose:**

The discussion aimed to share best practices and strategies for accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era, specifically focusing on WSIS Action Lines C1 and C3. The session brought together government ministers and officials from diverse regions to exchange experiences on bridging the digital divide and building inclusive digital societies.

**Overall Tone:**

The discussion maintained a consistently collaborative, optimistic, and solution-oriented tone throughout. Speakers were respectful and supportive of each other’s efforts, sharing concrete examples and achievements while acknowledging common challenges. The tone remained professional and forward-looking, with participants expressing commitment to continued cooperation and shared learning, culminating in a unifying call to action by the moderator.

Speakers

**Speakers from the provided list:**

– **Introduction**: Role/Title: Not specified, Area of expertise: Event hosting/coordination

– **Abdulkarim Oloyede**: Role/Title: Professor of Wireless Communications at the University of Illinois in Nigeria, Moderator of the leaders talks session, Area of expertise: Wireless Communications, Digital transformation in the global South

– **Vandeth Chea**: Role/Title: Minister for Post and Telecom of Cambodia, Area of expertise: Digital policy, telecommunications, digital transformation

– **Samuel Nartey George**: Role/Title: Honorable Minister MP, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Republic of Ghana, Area of expertise: Digital economy, public-private partnerships, AI adoption in government

– **Meutya Viada Hafid**: Role/Title: Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia, Area of expertise: Digital infrastructure, digital inclusion, human capacity development

– **Grigoriy Borisenko**: Role/Title: Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communication and Mass Media (Russia Federation), Area of expertise: Digital development, ICT infrastructure, artificial intelligence

– **Omer Fatih Sayan**: Role/Title: Not clearly specified in the transcript, Area of expertise: AI ethics, digital policy, technology regulation

– **Guido Gomez Mazara**: Role/Title: Chairman/President of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunication (Indotel), Area of expertise: Digital inclusion, skills development, telecommunications regulation

**Additional speakers:**

None identified beyond the provided speakers names list.

# Summary: Accelerating Global Access to Information and Knowledge in the Digital Era

## Introduction and Session Framework

This high-level discussion was part of the WSIS plus 20 high level events, bringing together government ministers and digital policy leaders to address accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era. The session was moderated by Professor Abdulkarim Oloyede and focused on sharing national strategies and best practices for digital transformation under WSIS Action Line C3.

Professor Oloyede established the foundational framework by emphasizing that “access to information and knowledge is no longer a luxury or a privilege, it is fundamental human rights. It is the foundation that empowers individual, strength in communities, drives innovation and accelerates sustainable development.”

## National Digital Transformation Strategies

### Cambodia’s Digital Ecosystem Approach

Minister Vandeth Chea of Cambodia’s Ministry of Post and Telecom highlighted how digital technology has become a core pillar of inclusive growth through national strategy and policies. Cambodia has developed innovative accessibility tools, including AI-powered chemistry-to-braille translators for visually impaired students.

The country has implemented extensive digital scholarship programmes supporting thousands of students while expanding community access points in rural areas. Cambodia is also finalizing its national data governance and open data policy to build public trust and support innovation.

### Ghana’s Partnership-Based Strategy

Honourable Minister Samuel Nartey George of Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation presented a comprehensive partnership approach involving government, private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners.

Ghana announced a $1 billion agreement with the UAE to build Africa’s first AI hub. The country’s 1 Million Quotas Programme aims to re-skill and up-skill citizens through partnerships with major technology companies including MTN, Huawei, and Google.

Minister George revealed an innovative governance approach: “Key among this is three weeks from now, I’m leading all of cabinets to an AI boot camp for all government ministers to show them use cases on the directive of his excellency for AI adoption in their ministries. And this is gonna form the KPIs for ministers in 2026 in the government.”

### Indonesia’s Constitutional Rights Framework

Minister Meutya Viada Hafid of Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs emphasized that “Indonesia’s digital transformation policy is firmly guided by the recognition that digital connectivity is a right rather than a privilege. It is stated in our constitution that information is basic human rights and thus must be extended across all regions, rural, urban, and remote.”

Indonesia’s 10,000 Digital Villages programme has reached over 4,000 villages and connected more than 3.8 million citizens to digital services. The country has deployed 7,500 base transceiver stations to expand 4G coverage in underserved areas.

The Digital Talent Scholarship programme has trained almost 400,000 individuals since 2018, with 40% of beneficiaries from non-metropolitan regions and over 10,000 women from rural and low-income households participating. The National Digital Literacy Movement has reached over 22 million citizens with content localized in 17 regional languages.

Indonesia’s Digital Vision 2045 targets 90% operational broadband coverage by 2030 and 100% by 2045.

### Russia’s Infrastructure Development

Deputy Minister Grigoriy Borisenko of Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communication and Mass Media spoke in Russian with translation provided. He reported that over 90% of Russian households have access to high-speed internet and reliable mobile connections. Russia is developing artificial intelligence technologies, with two AI models comparable to international standards.

### Dominican Republic’s Focus on Vulnerable Youth

Dr Guido Gómez Mazara, Chairman of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunication (Indotel), addressed specific socioeconomic challenges through digital inclusion. The Dominican Republic faces significant youth unemployment, with more than 22% of people aged 15-24 neither studying nor working, particularly in border areas where over 60% of households live under structural poverty.

The country’s Rapid Skills Centres teach programming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to young people in vulnerable communities, specifically targeting single mothers and marginalized populations. These centres will operate across 12 provinces by the end of 2026. The Canasta Digital programme provides devices and connectivity, with over 60% of beneficiaries being women.

Dr Gómez Mazara stated: “where there is more exclusion, there must be more state presence and more innovation.”

### Turkey’s Emphasis on AI Ethics

Minister Omer Fatih Sayan of Turkey focused on ethical considerations in AI development, citing recent incidents where AI systems have spread hate speech and undermined human rights.

“This is not just a software error, but a serious ethical and societal irresponsibility,” Minister Sayan observed. “Allowing abusive language and hate speech to spread on a platform poses a serious threat to the security, not only on one platform, but our entire digital ecosystem.”

Minister Sayan emphasized the need to protect vulnerable populations: “as the experts, we can distinguish that this is artificial intelligence, but what about the children, teenagers, people with low digital literacy?” He called for AI development that respects cultural diversity, social equality, and human rights while maintaining objectivity, transparency, and accountability.

## Common Themes

### Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

All speakers emphasized the importance of partnerships between government, private sector, civil society, and international organizations for effective digital transformation.

### Digital Rights and Inclusion

Multiple speakers framed digital access as a fundamental human right, with particular emphasis on reaching rural and underserved communities.

### Human Capacity Development

Countries consistently highlighted the need for digital skills training and education alongside infrastructure development, with programs targeting millions of citizens.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity

Speakers shared achievements in expanding broadband coverage and mobile connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas.

## Global Challenge

The session acknowledged that 2.6 billion people globally still lack internet access, highlighting the scale of work remaining to achieve universal digital inclusion.

## Conclusion

Professor Oloyede concluded the session as “a renewed call to action” for participants to return to their countries and communities with commitment to driving inclusive digital society. The session ended with a group photograph of the participants.

The discussion demonstrated significant progress in national digital inclusion efforts while highlighting the continued need for international cooperation, ethical frameworks, and sustained investment to ensure access to information and knowledge becomes a universal reality rather than a privilege.

Introduction: and our sponsors, thank you so much. Without you, The WSIS plus 20 high level events would not be possible. Thank you to our Deputy Secretary General and our Director, VDG as well. Thank you very much. Dear ladies and gentlemen, it’s time now to move on to our next leaders talks. This leaders talks is about accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era. And I’d like to invite Professor Abdulkarim, who is the moderator of this leaders talks to please lead the panelists and to lead us into this leaders talks. Abdulkarim, the floor is yours.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Good morning, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, colleagues, friends, whether you are here with us in Geneva or online, good morning to us all. My name is Abdulkarim Oluyede, I’m a Professor of Wireless Communications at the University of Illinois in Nigeria. And it is truly an honor and a privilege to moderate this leaders X session. And our discussion focuses on the team that sits in the very heart of WSIS vision, accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital era, which aligns with the action line C3. For me, coming from the global South, where digital transformation holds tremendous promise, but where digital device still presents a pressing challenge. The topic is one that I am both personally passionate and also professionally engaged in. This conversation is not only timely, but it is also crucial. In our interconnected world, access to information and knowledge is no longer a luxury or a privilege, it is fundamental human rights. It is the foundation that empowers individual, strength in communities, drives innovation and accelerates sustainable development. We are fortunate to be joined by a truly distinguished panel of leaders who are working tirelessly to close the gap. Leaders who are turning aspiration to action, potential into progress in their countries and beyond. So we’re going to start the session. So we’re going to begin from South Asia, where Cambodia has been making steady progress in digital transformation and connectivity. I would like to invite his excellency, Dr. Chia, who is the Minister for Post and Telecom of Cambodia. And Honorable Minister Sir, your question is, your digital growth is truly commendable. So what additional measures has Cambodia taken in addition to foundation efforts to ensure access to information is available to all across the digital divide? You can sit if you want, or you can go on the stage. We can go on the stage.

Vandeth Chea: Excellency, ladies and gentlemen. In Cambodia, we are entering a new era of democratization. which access to the knowledge. Building on over two decades of peace and development, the government has made digital technology a core pillar of inclusive and sustainable growth as reflected in our national strategy and policies. This commitment is operationalized through the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework and the Digital Government Policy, which outline concrete measures to expand access to information, especially for the under-served community. The reforms in our Ministry have led to a significant increase in revenue, enabling us to reinvest in national digital connectivity, human resources, and inclusive innovations. We have supported thousands of digital scholarships and pioneering tools such as an AI translator that converts chemistry into braille. Improving access for visually impaired. To further ensure access and transparency, we are finalizing national data governance and open data policy, supporting both innovations and public trust. At the same time, we are expanding community access points in rural areas to ensure no one is left behind. We also recognize that Cambodia journey is part of a broader global effort. We work with regional and international partners in improving open standards, inclusive technologies, and share platforms that advance access to knowledge for all. With this integrated approach, combining infrastructure, skills, data, and collaborations, we believe our people are better positioned to fully benefit from digital areas. I thank you.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you for sharing your digital growth. It’s truly commendable and contributes greatly to bridging the digital divide, especially in your region. Thank you, Honorable Minister. Cambodia-inspired digital access initiatives will now shift to West Africa, where Ghana is championing innovative public-private partnership. It’s an honor for me to welcome my big brother, His Excellency, Mr. Samuel Nethi George, Honorable Minister MP, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the Republic of Ghana. Thank you so much. So, Honorable Minister, your question is, how has Ghana’s strategic approach to public-private partnership in the digital sector contributed to economic growth, and what lessons can be shared with other developing nations in implementing the WSIS Action Line C1 on stakeholder governance? You have the floor, Your Excellency.

Samuel Nartey George: Thank you very much, and a very good morning to Your Excellencies and delegates in the room. The digital economy for us in Ghana is no longer a luxury. It’s actually the foundation of our modern development. Ghana is a country, and under the leadership of His Excellency, John Dramani-Mahama, recognizes this, and we’re intentionally bringing together government, the private sector, civil society, academia, and our international partners. And this is meant to drive the digital transformation initiatives in Ghana. Our multistakeholder approach is a strong example, and a shining one at that, on the continent, of how inclusive partnerships can accelerate digital transformation. By aligning the strengths of government, private sector, civil society, and development partners, Ghana is building a resilient and inclusive digital economy, and we’re doing this on three key pillars, leadership and policy framework, active collaboration with international and development partners, and private sector partnerships. On leadership and policy framework, Ghana’s leadership plays a government’s leadership as playing a pivotal role in shaping and accelerating the growth of Ghana’s digital economy. My ministry leads this initiative by creating clear policy frameworks, and we’re championing the strategic direction, the legal environment, and institutional support needed to foster innovation, attract the necessary investments, and ensure that there’s inclusive access to digital technologies. We cannot address new challenges with old solutions as a country. And as such, his excellency, John主 Mahmoud Mahamud’s government has initiated various policy reforms that respond to the fast pace of technology and at which our economy is changing. Key among this is three weeks from now, I’m leading all of cabinets to an AI boot camp for all government ministers to show them use cases on the directive of his excellency for AI adoption in their ministries. And this is gonna form the KPIs for ministers in 2026 in the government. This is our way of ensuring that we include AI in our public sector delivery. Under active collaboration with international involvement partners, we know that no country can achieve this on its own. And that’s why on the 29th of May this year, I signed a $1 billion agreement with the government of UAE to build Africa’s first AI hub in Ghana on 25 kilometers squares, which signals our desire to be the leading player when it comes to artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and new technologies. When it comes to our private sector partnerships, we’ve already started what we call the 1 Million Quotas Program, which is gonna see us re-skill, up-skill, and give new skills for the future to 1 million Ghanians, including the civil service, students, and young people. And this is not just being led by government, but through partnerships with partners like MTN, Huawei, and Google. I thank you.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Thank you, Minister George. I would like to say that Ghana’s collaborative approach demonstrates how public-private partnership can drive real impact on economic growth and inclusive governance. So next, I will move to the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia, a country that’s overcome geographic and demographic challenges to build an inclusive digital economy. I would like to welcome my excellency, Ms. Viada Afid, the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia. Thank you. So we acknowledge the significant progress made by the government of Indonesia in ICT and digital development. In this regard, we also recognize the challenges posed by Indonesia’s vast and diverse geographical landscapes and demographs. What kinds of programs or initiative has the government of Indonesia implemented to ensure that ICT development policies remain inclusive, both in terms of physical digital infrastructure and human capital development? You have the floor, Honorable Minister.

Meutya Viada Hafid: Thank you very much, Moderator, and a very good morning to our next distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Indonesia’s digital transformation policy is firmly guided by the recognition that digital connectivity is a right rather than a privilege. It is stated in our constitution that information is basic human rights and thus must be extended across all regions, rural, urban, and remote. As an archipelagic nation, Moderator has stated before, Indonesia is a country with more than 17,000 islands and a population of more than 280 million citizens. We have designed a digital development model that prioritizes inclusivity, both in terms of physical infrastructure and also human capacity. On the infrastructure front, the ministry is implementing the 10,000 Digital Villages program with the goal of internet access, digital public services, and community-based connectivity to Indonesia’s most underserved areas. As of July 2025, the program has reached more than 4,000 villages in outermost frontier and disadvantaged regions, connecting over 3.8 million citizens to digital services for the first time. Additional to that is the deployment of 7,500 base transceiver station, or BTS, has expanded 4G coverage to areas where commercial operators were previously absent. Our broader infrastructure push is supported by Palapari National Fiber Backbone, targeting to achieve 90% operation level broadband coverage by 2030 and 100% by 2045, as outlined in the Indonesia Digital Vision of 2045. However, we also recognize that building infrastructure alone will not be meaningful for the people. That is why our government places equal emphasis on human capacity development. Our Digital Talent Scholarship that the ministry has undertaken has trained almost 400,000 individuals since it was launched in 2018. This includes 76,000 people in 2024 alone. And from this number, importantly to note is 40% of the DTS beneficiaries come from non-metropolitan regions, and over 10,000 of them are women from rural and low-income households. In a broader scale, we also complement this with National Digital Literacy Movement, which as of this year has reached more than 22 million citizens through offline and online training modules. This program targeting youth and also teachers, small-medium enterprises, homemakers, and senior citizens, using culturally relevant and also linguistically inclusive content. For example, the module have been localized into 17 regional languages, including Javanese, Sundanese, Buganese, and also Papuan dialects. The government of Indonesia is also actively collaborating with civil society and the private sectors to ensure that digital transformation is responsive to local realities and also needs. So to close, I would like to say that our digital vision under the leadership of President Prabowo is clear, which is to make digital transformation work for all Indonesians, regardless of who they are and where they come from. Thank you very much.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Thank you, Minister Hafid. And Indonesia’s commitment to man-capacity building alongside infrastructure is a model for many nations facing similar diversity. Thank you very much once again. From Southeast Asia, we now turn to Russia Federation, where digital development plays central role in the national policy and international cooperation. We welcome His Excellency, Mr. Grigori Borisenko, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communication and Mass Media. Your Excellency, your question is, in today’s world, many countries are paying increasing attention to issues of accelerating global access to information and knowledge in the digital age. Is there a similar practice in Russia? If so, what policy is being pursued at a state level in this area? You have the floor, Your Excellency.

Grigoriy Borisenko: Thank you very much. Good morning, everyone. I’m happy to be here. Happy to see you all here. I’ll do my speech in Russian. Therefore, if you guys don’t know Russian well, you may consider using the translation tool. Our main goal is the development of a human-oriented and inclusive digital society where everybody can create knowledge and have access to them. We also focus ourselves on minimizing gap, especially taking into account geographical aspects. Unfortunately, this was not achieved for everybody. Up to date, 2.6 billion people have no access, but in our country, more than 90% of households has access to high-speed internet connection. Also, our mobile connection is a very reliable one. Many social utilities and facilities have access to high-speed fiber optical internet. At the same time, we use the ability of Russian potentiality. We also made massive investments in our ICT complex. We also actively developed our artificial intelligence technologies. Russia has two own models, which can be compared with international leading models. We also are developing V.J.

Omer Fatih Sayan: Bashir Hwayi Chardhan, H.E. Thr. Technology must be shaped through inclusive, visionary, and multi-stakeholder approaches, not solely relying on technical solutions. And every step in this direction will contribute to building a more equitable, connected, and resilient digital society, and Turkey will continue to strongly support these collaborative endeavours. Today, as we all see, accessibility drives the increased use of technology and innovation, and as AI continues to integrate every aspect of human life, ethical responsibilities and human values should play a fundamental role in the development of technology. Otherwise, the development of AI may further deepen social injustices and undermine human rights. I would like to take your attention to ethical concerns over AI with a fresh example from yesterday, in the case of growth. We witnessed an act of artificial intelligence that ignored these basic principles and touched the low-end of society and caused outrage in society. This is not just a software error, but a serious ethical and societal irresponsibility. Turning a blind eye to the dissemination of language that harms human rights, respect and social peace, especially through a technology platform, is not simply a mistake, but a clear violation. And this is irresponsible and undermines trust in technology. Allowing abusive language and hate speech to spread on a platform poses a serious threat to the security, not only on one platform, but our entire digital ecosystem. It’s seen that we will be facing more ethical concerns than ever in the AI world, and as the experts, we can distinguish that this is artificial intelligence, but what about the children, teenagers, people with low digital literacy? It’s clear that developers should adhere to the ethical principles such as objectivity, transparency and accountability in their actions and decision-making processes. As policymakers and regulators, we should establish rules and regulations to ensure that AI systems respect cultural diversity, social equality and human rights. This shows us that, technology having no geographical boundaries, we should work in collaboration for responsible AI to reflect common values of humanity. Thank you.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Thank you so much, Your Excellency, and I’m sure that is why the ITU is also having in parallel the AI for Good that is happening. So thank you so much, Your Excellency. So finally, we move to the Caribbean, where Dominican Republic has been leveraging ICT to promote social inclusion and economic opportunity. I warmly welcome Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara, who is the chairman of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunication. So, Dr. Gomez, could you share with us how Dominican Republic, through Indotel, is using ICT to promote digital inclusion and skills development in traditionally marginalized communities? You have the floor, Your Excellency.

Guido Gomez Mazara: Okay. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Distinguished members of the panel, it is a great honor for me to speak on the representation of my country, Dominican Republic, as the president of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunication. And thanks for your question. In the Dominican Republic, more than 22% of the job people between the age of 15 and 24 are neither study nor working, according to the data from the World Bank and the National Statistic Office. Considering this reality, the Dominican Institute of Telecommunication, Indotel, we understood that it’s not enough to connect community, we must connect the opportunity, the training to transform destiny. We create the Rapid Skills Center, space equipment with virtual classroom, where the job people from vulnerable communities learn programming, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, alongside soft skill and English. We currently have one center operating in Santiago de los Caballeros, and four active rapid skill points along the border zone, specifically in some of the poorest provinces in the country, such as El Espina and Pedernales. According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index, over 60 of the household border areas live under structural poverty, and less than 35% have internet access. That’s why we started there, because where there is more exclusion, there must be more state presence and more innovation. Our goal is clear, to have the program fully operational in 12 provinces by the end of 2026, impacting thousands of strong people through an intensive and transformative educational model. The woman face of Canasta Digital. In detail, Canasta Digital provides devices, connectivity, and basic training to facilitate digital participation. According to our records, over 60 of the beneficiaries have been females, half of the household, or single mothers. This not only bridge the access gap, but also empower women to educate their children, engage in a digital entrepreneurship, and access to public service independently. I respect the three minutes. Thank you.

Abdulkarim Oloyede: Thank you very much. Let me say on behalf of the Chair of WSIS 2025, I want to extend our deepest appreciation to each of you for your insightful and inspiring contribution today. We have had rich perspectives from across the globe. From South Asia to sub-Saharan Africa, from the Caribbean to the Eastern Europe. Despite our diverse context, a common trend unites us, the recognition that universal access to information and knowledge is not just a technical issue, it is a cornerstone of sustainable development of human rights and inclusive digital societies. Today’s session reaffirms that WSIS process is more relevant than ever. 20 years on, it continues to provide a collaborative platform where government, civil society, the private sector, academia, and international organizations come together. Not only to exchange good practice, but to co-create the future of truly inclusive information society. We must continue to uphold and expand multi-stakeholder cooperation. Just as we outlined in WSIS Action C1 and C3 to implement effective national and regional strategies that respond to local realities, let this session be a renewed call to action for each of us to go back to our countries, our institutions, our communities with a commitment to keep driving a shared vision. Once again, thank you for your valuable contribution, and I thank the ITU and all the WSIS stakeholders for sustaining this powerful process. Now I’ll kindly invite my panelists to please join me on the stage for a group photograph. Thank you. Thank you.

Agreement points

Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for digital transformation

Speakers

– Samuel Nartey George
– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Omer Fatih Sayan
– Abdulkarim Oloyede

Arguments

Ghana brings together government, private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners for digital transformation

Indonesia actively collaborates with civil society and private sectors to ensure digital transformation responds to local needs

Turkey emphasizes that technology must be shaped through inclusive, visionary, and multi-stakeholder approaches

The session reaffirms WSIS process relevance as collaborative platform for multi-stakeholder cooperation

Summary

All speakers emphasized the critical importance of bringing together multiple stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners to achieve effective digital transformation and inclusive technology development.

Topics

Development | Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Digital access is a fundamental human right, not a privilege

Speakers

– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Abdulkarim Oloyede

Arguments

Indonesia’s digital transformation policy recognizes digital connectivity as a constitutional right rather than privilege

Access to information and knowledge is fundamental human rights and foundation for empowering individuals and communities

Summary

Both speakers explicitly stated that digital connectivity and access to information should be treated as fundamental human rights rather than privileges, with constitutional and policy frameworks supporting this principle.

Topics

Human rights | Development | Legal and regulatory

Comprehensive human capacity development is crucial alongside infrastructure

Speakers

– Vandeth Chea
– Samuel Nartey George
– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Guido Gomez Mazara

Arguments

Cambodia supports thousands of digital scholarships and develops AI tools like chemistry-to-braille translator

Ghana launches 1 Million Quotas Program to re-skill and up-skill citizens through partnerships with MTN, Huawei, and Google

Indonesia’s Digital Talent Scholarship has trained almost 400,000 individuals since 2018, with 40% from non-metropolitan regions

Dominican Republic creates Rapid Skills Centers teaching programming, AI, and cybersecurity to young people in vulnerable communities

Summary

All speakers emphasized that building digital infrastructure alone is insufficient; comprehensive human capacity development through skills training, digital literacy programs, and educational initiatives is essential for meaningful digital transformation.

Topics

Development | Economic | Sociocultural

Special focus on rural and underserved communities is necessary

Speakers

– Vandeth Chea
– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Guido Gomez Mazara

Arguments

Cambodia expands community access points in rural areas to ensure no one is left behind

Indonesia implements 10,000 Digital Villages program reaching over 4,000 villages and connecting 3.8 million citizens

Dominican Republic’s Canasta Digital program provides devices and connectivity with over 60% of beneficiaries being women

Summary

Speakers consistently emphasized the need to prioritize rural and underserved communities in digital development initiatives, implementing specific programs to bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusive access.

Topics

Development | Human rights | Infrastructure

Similar viewpoints

All three speakers emphasized the importance of comprehensive national policy frameworks that position digital technology as central to national development strategy, with clear legal and institutional support structures.

Speakers

– Vandeth Chea
– Samuel Nartey George
– Meutya Viada Hafid

Arguments

Cambodia has made digital technology a core pillar of inclusive growth through national strategy and policies

Ghana creates clear policy frameworks and legal environment to foster innovation and attract investments

Indonesia’s digital transformation policy recognizes digital connectivity as a constitutional right rather than privilege

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development | Economic

Both speakers highlighted the importance of addressing cultural and linguistic diversity in digital inclusion programs, with specific attention to marginalized groups including women and linguistic minorities.

Speakers

– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Guido Gomez Mazara

Arguments

Indonesia’s National Digital Literacy Movement has reached over 22 million citizens with content localized in 17 regional languages

Dominican Republic’s Canasta Digital program provides devices and connectivity with over 60% of beneficiaries being women

Topics

Development | Sociocultural | Human rights

Both speakers emphasized their countries’ significant investments in artificial intelligence development and international collaboration in AI technology advancement.

Speakers

– Samuel Nartey George
– Grigoriy Borisenko

Arguments

Ghana signed $1 billion agreement with UAE to build Africa’s first AI hub demonstrating international collaboration

Russia actively develops artificial intelligence technologies with two models comparable to international standards

Topics

Development | Infrastructure | Economic

Unexpected consensus

AI ethics and responsible development concerns

Speakers

– Omer Fatih Sayan
– Vandeth Chea

Arguments

Turkey warns that AI development may deepen social injustices and undermine human rights without ethical considerations

Cambodia supports thousands of digital scholarships and develops AI tools like chemistry-to-braille translator

Explanation

While Turkey focused on AI ethics concerns and potential negative impacts, Cambodia demonstrated practical AI applications for accessibility. This creates an unexpected consensus around the need for responsible AI development that serves human needs while addressing ethical concerns.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Sociocultural

Constitutional and legal frameworks for digital rights

Speakers

– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Vandeth Chea

Arguments

Indonesia’s digital transformation policy recognizes digital connectivity as a constitutional right rather than privilege

Cambodia finalizes national data governance and open data policy to support innovation and public trust

Explanation

Both countries from different regions (Southeast Asia) showed unexpected alignment in establishing strong legal and constitutional foundations for digital rights, suggesting a regional trend toward rights-based digital governance frameworks.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Development

Overall assessment

Summary

The speakers demonstrated remarkable consensus across multiple key areas: the fundamental importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, recognition of digital access as a human right, the necessity of comprehensive human capacity development alongside infrastructure, and the critical need to prioritize rural and underserved communities. There was also strong agreement on the importance of national policy frameworks and international cooperation.

Consensus level

High level of consensus with significant implications for global digital development policy. The alignment across diverse geographic regions (Southeast Asia, West Africa, Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Middle East) suggests these principles represent universal best practices for digital transformation. This consensus strengthens the WSIS framework and provides a solid foundation for continued international cooperation in digital development, particularly in bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusive access to information and knowledge.

Different viewpoints

AI development approach and ethical concerns

Speakers

– Omer Fatih Sayan
– Grigoriy Borisenko

Arguments

Turkey warns that AI development may deepen social injustices and undermine human rights without ethical considerations

Turkey calls for developers to adhere to ethical principles of objectivity, transparency, and accountability

Russia actively develops artificial intelligence technologies with two models comparable to international standards

Summary

Turkey emphasizes the critical need for ethical frameworks and warns about AI’s potential to harm human rights and social peace, citing recent incidents of AI causing social outrage. Russia focuses on technical advancement and competitive AI development without addressing ethical concerns or safeguards.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Development

Unexpected differences

Approach to AI development priorities

Speakers

– Omer Fatih Sayan
– Grigoriy Borisenko

Arguments

Turkey warns that AI development may deepen social injustices and undermine human rights without ethical considerations

Russia actively develops artificial intelligence technologies with two models comparable to international standards

Explanation

This disagreement is unexpected because both countries are discussing AI development in the context of global digital access and inclusion, yet they have fundamentally different priorities. Turkey prioritizes ethical considerations and human rights protection, while Russia focuses on technical advancement and international competitiveness without addressing ethical frameworks.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Development

Overall assessment

Summary

The discussion showed remarkably low levels of direct disagreement among speakers, with most conflicts being implicit rather than explicit. The main area of disagreement centered on AI development approaches, specifically between Turkey’s emphasis on ethical considerations and Russia’s focus on technical advancement. Most speakers shared common goals around digital inclusion, infrastructure development, and human capacity building.

Disagreement level

Low to moderate disagreement level. The implications are significant for AI governance and ethical technology development globally, as the different approaches could lead to divergent international standards and practices. However, the strong consensus on digital inclusion goals suggests potential for collaborative frameworks despite methodological differences.

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

All three speakers emphasized the importance of comprehensive national policy frameworks that position digital technology as central to national development strategy, with clear legal and institutional support structures.

Speakers

– Vandeth Chea
– Samuel Nartey George
– Meutya Viada Hafid

Arguments

Cambodia has made digital technology a core pillar of inclusive growth through national strategy and policies

Ghana creates clear policy frameworks and legal environment to foster innovation and attract investments

Indonesia’s digital transformation policy recognizes digital connectivity as a constitutional right rather than privilege

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development | Economic

Both speakers highlighted the importance of addressing cultural and linguistic diversity in digital inclusion programs, with specific attention to marginalized groups including women and linguistic minorities.

Speakers

– Meutya Viada Hafid
– Guido Gomez Mazara

Arguments

Indonesia’s National Digital Literacy Movement has reached over 22 million citizens with content localized in 17 regional languages

Dominican Republic’s Canasta Digital program provides devices and connectivity with over 60% of beneficiaries being women

Topics

Development | Sociocultural | Human rights

Both speakers emphasized their countries’ significant investments in artificial intelligence development and international collaboration in AI technology advancement.

Speakers

– Samuel Nartey George
– Grigoriy Borisenko

Arguments

Ghana signed $1 billion agreement with UAE to build Africa’s first AI hub demonstrating international collaboration

Russia actively develops artificial intelligence technologies with two models comparable to international standards

Topics

Development | Infrastructure | Economic

Key takeaways

Access to information and knowledge is a fundamental human right and cornerstone of sustainable development, not a luxury or privilege

Digital transformation requires comprehensive approaches combining infrastructure development, human capacity building, and inclusive governance frameworks

Multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, academia, and international partners is essential for successful digital transformation

Geographic and demographic challenges can be overcome through targeted programs – as demonstrated by Indonesia’s archipelagic connectivity and Dominican Republic’s border region initiatives

AI ethics and responsible technology development are critical concerns, with need for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights and cultural diversity

Public-private partnerships are effective mechanisms for scaling digital initiatives and leveraging resources for maximum impact

Digital inclusion must prioritize marginalized communities, with special attention to women, rural populations, and economically disadvantaged groups

The WSIS process remains highly relevant 20 years later as a collaborative platform for international cooperation on digital development

Resolutions and action items

Ghana will conduct AI boot camp for all government ministers in three weeks to establish AI adoption KPIs for 2026

Indonesia targets 90% operational broadband coverage by 2030 and 100% by 2045 under Digital Vision 2045

Dominican Republic plans to have Rapid Skills Centers fully operational in 12 provinces by end of 2026

Cambodia is finalizing national data governance and open data policy implementation

Ghana’s 1 Million Quotas Program to re-skill and up-skill citizens through partnerships with MTN, Huawei, and Google

Renewed call to action for participants to return to their countries and communities with commitment to drive shared vision of inclusive digital society

Unresolved issues

How to address the 2.6 billion people globally who still lack internet access

Specific mechanisms for ensuring AI development adheres to ethical principles across different cultural contexts

Standardization of approaches for measuring and evaluating digital inclusion progress across different countries

Sustainable financing models for long-term digital infrastructure maintenance in developing countries

Coordination mechanisms between different national digital strategies to avoid fragmentation

Specific regulatory frameworks needed to govern AI development and deployment responsibly

Suggested compromises

Balancing national digital sovereignty with international cooperation and open standards

Combining government-led policy frameworks with private sector innovation and civil society input

Addressing both urban and rural digital needs through differentiated but coordinated approaches

Integrating local cultural and linguistic requirements with global technology standards

Balancing rapid AI adoption with necessary ethical safeguards and human rights protections

In our interconnected world, access to information and knowledge is no longer a luxury or a privilege, it is fundamental human rights. It is the foundation that empowers individual, strength in communities, drives innovation and accelerates sustainable development.

Speaker

Abdulkarim Oloyede (Moderator)

Reason

This comment reframes the entire discussion by elevating digital access from a technical or economic issue to a fundamental human rights issue. It establishes a moral imperative that transcends national boundaries and economic considerations, positioning digital inclusion as essential to human dignity and development.

Impact

This framing set the tone for the entire session, with subsequent speakers consistently emphasizing inclusivity and universal access in their responses. It elevated the discussion from technical implementation to values-based policy making.

Indonesia’s digital transformation policy is firmly guided by the recognition that digital connectivity is a right rather than a privilege. It is stated in our constitution that information is basic human rights and thus must be extended across all regions, rural, urban, and remote.

Speaker

Meutya Viada Hafid (Indonesia)

Reason

This comment provides concrete constitutional backing to the human rights framework established by the moderator, showing how abstract principles can be institutionalized in national law. It demonstrates practical implementation of rights-based digital policy.

Impact

This constitutional approach influenced the discussion by showing other participants how human rights principles can be legally enshrined, potentially inspiring similar constitutional or legal frameworks in other countries.

We cannot address new challenges with old solutions as a country… Key among this is three weeks from now, I’m leading all of cabinets to an AI boot camp for all government ministers to show them use cases on the directive of his excellency for AI adoption in their ministries. And this is gonna form the KPIs for ministers in 2026 in the government.

Speaker

Samuel Nartey George (Ghana)

Reason

This comment introduces a revolutionary approach to government digital transformation – making AI literacy a performance indicator for cabinet ministers. It challenges traditional government structures and demonstrates unprecedented political commitment to digital transformation at the highest levels.

Impact

This innovative governance approach shifted the discussion toward the importance of leadership commitment and systemic government transformation, influencing other speakers to emphasize high-level political support for their initiatives.

However, we also recognize that building infrastructure alone will not be meaningful for the people. That is why our government places equal emphasis on human capacity development… 40% of the DTS beneficiaries come from non-metropolitan regions, and over 10,000 of them are women from rural and low-income households.

Speaker

Meutya Viada Hafid (Indonesia)

Reason

This comment challenges the common assumption that digital infrastructure automatically leads to digital inclusion. It introduces the critical insight that human capacity building must parallel infrastructure development, with specific attention to gender and geographic equity.

Impact

This observation deepened the discussion by highlighting the multidimensional nature of digital inclusion, prompting other speakers to address both technical and human elements in their responses.

This is not just a software error, but a serious ethical and societal irresponsibility… Allowing abusive language and hate speech to spread on a platform poses a serious threat to the security, not only on one platform, but our entire digital ecosystem… as the experts, we can distinguish that this is artificial intelligence, but what about the children, teenagers, people with low digital literacy?

Speaker

Omer Fatih Sayan (Turkey)

Reason

This comment introduces urgent ethical concerns about AI development and deployment, referencing a contemporary incident to highlight the gap between technical capabilities and ethical responsibility. It raises critical questions about protecting vulnerable populations in the digital age.

Impact

This intervention significantly shifted the discussion from celebrating digital progress to acknowledging serious risks and responsibilities. It introduced a more critical and cautionary perspective that balanced the otherwise optimistic tone of the session.

In the Dominican Republic, more than 22% of the job people between the age of 15 and 24 are neither study nor working… We create the Rapid Skills Center… because where there is more exclusion, there must be more state presence and more innovation.

Speaker

Guido Gomez Mazara (Dominican Republic)

Reason

This comment provides a concrete example of how digital inclusion can address broader socioeconomic challenges, particularly youth unemployment. The principle that ‘where there is more exclusion, there must be more state presence and more innovation’ offers a powerful framework for targeted intervention.

Impact

This practical approach to addressing structural inequality through digital skills training provided a concrete model for other participants, demonstrating how digital inclusion can be a tool for broader social and economic development.

Overall assessment

These key comments fundamentally shaped the discussion by establishing a human rights framework, introducing innovative governance approaches, highlighting the complexity of digital inclusion beyond infrastructure, raising critical ethical concerns, and providing concrete examples of targeted interventions. The moderator’s human rights framing set a values-based foundation that influenced all subsequent contributions. Ghana’s AI governance innovation and Indonesia’s constitutional approach demonstrated institutional commitment, while Turkey’s ethical concerns provided necessary balance to the optimistic tone. The Dominican Republic’s targeted approach to youth unemployment showed practical application. Together, these comments elevated the discussion from technical implementation to a comprehensive examination of digital inclusion as a multifaceted challenge requiring rights-based, ethically-grounded, and systematically innovative approaches. The flow moved from establishing principles to sharing innovations to acknowledging risks to demonstrating practical solutions, creating a well-rounded dialogue that addressed both opportunities and responsibilities in digital transformation.

How can AI systems be developed to respect cultural diversity, social equality and human rights while maintaining objectivity, transparency and accountability?

Speaker

Omer Fatih Sayan (Turkey)

Explanation

This is important because AI is integrating into every aspect of human life, and without proper ethical guidelines, it may deepen social injustices and undermine human rights, as demonstrated by recent incidents of AI platforms spreading hate speech

What collaborative frameworks are needed for responsible AI development that reflects common values of humanity across geographical boundaries?

Speaker

Omer Fatih Sayan (Turkey)

Explanation

This is crucial because technology has no geographical boundaries, and different stakeholders (policymakers, regulators, developers) need to work together to establish rules and regulations for AI systems that serve all of humanity

How can countries ensure that digital transformation policies remain inclusive for both physical infrastructure and human capital development in diverse geographical and demographic contexts?

Speaker

Implied from the discussion format and Indonesia’s response

Explanation

This addresses the fundamental challenge of ensuring digital rights are extended to all citizens regardless of location, which is particularly relevant for archipelagic nations and countries with diverse populations

What are the most effective models for public-private partnerships in digital transformation that can be replicated across developing nations?

Speaker

Implied from Samuel Nartey George’s (Ghana) presentation and the session structure

Explanation

This is important for scaling successful digital transformation initiatives and ensuring that lessons learned from countries like Ghana can benefit other developing nations implementing WSIS Action Lines

How can digital inclusion programs be designed to specifically address the needs of marginalized communities, particularly women and youth in poverty-stricken areas?

Speaker

Implied from Guido Gomez Mazara’s (Dominican Republic) presentation

Explanation

This is critical because over 60% of households in border areas live under structural poverty with limited internet access, and targeted programs are needed to transform opportunities for vulnerable populations