Zero Draft of WSIS+20 outcome document made available

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On 29 August, the co-facilitators for the WSIS+20 process issued the Zero Draft of the outcome document for the twenty-year review of the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20). 

Spanning over 20 pages, the zero draft covers a wide range of issues related to the implementation of WSIS outcomes and the broader global digital governance architecture. It talks, for instance, about the challenges of addressing the persistent digital divides and of the need to advance the use of ICTs for sustainable development. It highlights the importance of ensuring that human rights are protected equally online and offline, and of building confidence in the use of ICTs. A section on internet governance underscores the need to preserve the open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure nature of the Internet, and envisions a permanent mandate for the Internet Governance Forum. 

Some of the Zero Draft’s provisions build on similar text from the outcome document of the WSIS+10 process in 2015, others are repeated from the Global Digital Compact adopted in 2024, and yet others outline new elements. This is the case, for instance, when it comes the interplay between the implementation and follow-up on WSIS outcomes and GDC commitments. Building on recommendations from the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (endorsed by the Economic and Social Council in a July 2025 resolution), the text calls for  a joint implementation roadmap to integrate the Global Digital Compact commitments into the World Summit architecture. It also envisions specific roles for CSTD and ECOSOC in review and follow-up of GDC implementation, in addition to their roles in review and follow-up on WSIS outcomes implementation. 

Member states and other stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the Zero Draft until 26 September. Input will also be collected during two stakeholder consultations on 13 and 14 October. Details about these and other elements in the WSIS+20 process are available on the official page. 

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The Geneva Internet Platform will provide detailed reflections on the Zero Draft in its upcoming briefing for Geneva-based diplomats on 4 September 2025.