WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025
| Event | |
|---|---|
| |
| Process | WSIS |
| Date | Jul. 7, 2025 – Jul. 11, 2025 |
| Region | EUR |
| Country |
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| City | Geneva |
| Venue | Palexpo |
| Organizer | ITU |
| Website | |
WSIS+20 is a meeting aimed at reviewing the overall implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). WSIS was established with the vision of creating a “people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information society”, leveraging the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable development. The WSIS was the first global declaration of political will to create a people-centered, digitally connected society, leveraging ICTs to drive development in the digital age. To achieve this vision, the summit outlined key action lines, including government and stakeholder roles, ICT infrastructure, capacity-building, and cultural diversity.
The WSIS+20 meeting was requested by UN General Assembly Resolution A/70/125[1], adopted on December 16, 2015. This resolution, followed a request in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, and agreement that created the WSIS, tasked the General Assembly with conducting a 10-year review of WSIS implementation. The review took place in May 2015 and was carried out by the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).[2]
The UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), mandated to undertake regular WSIS reviews since 2005, has been requested by the UN Economic and Social Council Resolution E/RES/2023/3[3] to collect inputs from all WSIS stakeholders and organize discussions on WSIS+20 at its 27th session in 2024 and 28th in 2025, and report thereon, through the Council, to the General Assembly.
Before the WSIS+20 meeting takes place, an open questionnaire is available for all stakeholders to share their experiences, perspectives, and priorities, highlighting the issues they consider most important for the CSTD’s 20-year WSIS review.
This meeting is also important for evaluating the renewal or discontinuation of key WSIS outcomes, such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which was established as a result of WSIS.
In this context, WSIS+20 is expected to assess progress in reducing the digital divide, with particular attention to underserved communities. It will also examine advancements in digital skills development, including digital literacy, reskilling, and upskilling, which are crucial for adapting to changes in the job market—especially in response to the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Workforce reskilling in the age of AI is likely to be a key topic, focusing on how to prepare workers for this technological shift.[4]
Additionally, human rights protection will remain a priority, ensuring that technology expands rather than restricts fundamental freedoms. Another major focus will be the sustainability of ICTs, addressing challenges such as e-waste management and the high energy consumption of data centers.
These discussions will help shape the WSIS+20 agenda and define the next steps toward a more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible digital future. Several key documents are already in circulation to guide the debates, including the “Report on the Progress Made in the Implementation of the Outcomes of the WSIS During the Past 20 Years,” prepared by the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).[5]
References[edit | edit source]
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