Dear Councillors

As we ran out of time at our call, here is a brief update from the GNSO IG/WSIS+20 informal group, on the WSIS+20 process and the July High-Level Event in Geneva.

1. The WSIS+20 review is a 20-year stocktake of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society. It is designed to feed directly into the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on 16–17 December 2025 in New York.

Two co-facilitators have been appointed to lead the process: H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale (Kenya) and H.E. Ms. Suela Janina (Albania).

The roadmap began with the First Preparatory Meeting on 30 May, followed by initial stakeholder outreach on 9–10 June. The Elements Paper was issued on 20 June, with written inputs accepted until 25 July. Notably, certain paragraphs of the paper changed the language describing the nature of Internet governance: instead of referring to a “multistakeholder” approach, some text described it as “multilateral, transparent, and democratic.” This shift was discussed extensively in stakeholder consultations, given the established WSIS consensus around multistakeholder governance.

Key consultations were held during June and July:

Looking ahead, the process will continue with the Zero Draft expected in August (feedback window until mid-September), followed by the Second Preparatory Meeting and stakeholder engagement in mid-October. It will then move into informal negotiations (October–November), the Draft Outcome Document and associated consultations (November), culminating in the UNGA High-Level Review on 16–17 December.

2. Turning briefly to the WSIS+20 High-Level Event: it was held at Palexpo in Geneva, co-hosted by the ITU and Switzerland, with UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD as co-organizers. The event brought together more than 11,000 participants from 169 countries, alongside the AI for Good Summit. Jennifer, Farzi, Bruna, and myself in person. 

It featured over 200 sessions covering universal connectivity, ethical AI, sustainability, and multistakeholder collaboration. The Chair’s Summary, delivered by South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, reaffirmed the importance of platforms like the WSIS Forum and the IGF, and stressed the need for measurable implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) using WSIS mechanisms.

To strengthen multistakeholder engagement during the WSIS +20 review process  the co-facilitators announced an Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board during the WSIS High Level Event. 

This board brings together representatives from civil society, the private sector, and the technical community to provide continuous input throughout the drafting process - congrats Jennifer Chung and ICANN staff member, Theresa Swineheart.

Desiree

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