January 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

ITU CWG-WSIS&SDGs Call for Inputs on WSIS+20 review - ICANN's submission
by Elizabeth Oluoch Feb. 4, 2025

Feb. 4, 2025

Hello everyone, I would like to share ICANN’s response (attached) to the ITU Council Working Group on WSIS and SDGs’ call for inputs<https://www.itu.int/en/council/cwg-wsis/Pages/default.aspx> on the WSIS+20 review. The deadline for contributions is Friday, 31 January. The goal of the CWG is to gather insights from all stakeholders on the various elements of the WSIS+20 process as the ITU prepares its WSIS+20 report on its contribution on the implementation of the WSIS outcomes and its role in achieving the SDGs. As reminder, here are ICANN’s recent submissions to CSTD and UNCTAD: * ICANN org Submission for UN CSTD Twenty years in the implementation of outcomes of the World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS)<https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/government-engagement-ge/icann-submissio…> (15 November 2024) * ICANN org Submission for the 2024 Annual Report to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)<https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/government-engagement-ge/icann-contribut…> (31October 2024) Best regards, Elizabeth Elizabeth Oluoch Government & IGO Engagement Director (UN/ITU) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Washington D.C.

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Fwd: [Org-Members-Advisory-Council] Why is ISOC Not Endorsing the GDC?
by Chris Disspain Jan. 27, 2025

Jan. 27, 2025

FYI Cheers, CD Chris Disspain +44 7880 642456 > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Cara Unterkofler via Org-Members-Advisory-Council <org-members-advisory-council(a)elists.isoc.org> > Subject: [Org-Members-Advisory-Council] Why is ISOC Not Endorsing the GDC? > Date: 27 January 2025 at 16:08:19 GMT > To: Harald Summa via Org-Members-Advisory-Council <org-members-advisory-council(a)elists.isoc.org> > Cc: Israel Rosas <rosas(a)isoc.org>, Mona Gaballa <gaballa(a)isoc.org> > Reply-To: Cara Unterkofler <unterkofler(a)isoc.org> > > Dear Organization Members, > > As you know, following the consensus adoption of the Global Digital Compact on 22 September 2024, the Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET, formerly OSET) announced that the GDC is open to all stakeholders for endorsement <https://www.un.org/global-digital-compact/en> to engage in the realization of an open, safe, and secure digital future for all, and has shared the endorsement list <https://www.un.org/global-digital-compact/en/endorsements> as of 31 December 2024. > > After careful consideration, the Internet Society has decided not to endorse the GDC and provided details of our intended plans here <https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/internet-governance/news-updates/gdc…>. 👈 > > If you are considering the endorsement opportunity, or have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to Mona Gaballa and/or Isra Rosas, who are cc’d here. > > We look forward to hearing back from you about your position on the GDC endorsement. > > All the best, > Cara > > > Cara Unterkofler, Sr Director of Organization Members > unterkofler(a)isoc.org <mailto:unterkofler@isoc.org> | Time Zone: CET > <http://internetsociety.org/> > Together, we can build an Internet for everyone. Please make a gift today. <https://donorportal.internetsociety.org/-/XEJSXXLK> > > _______________________________________________ > As an Internet Society Organization Members Advisory Council member you are automatically subscribed to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society Chapter Portal (AMS): https://community.internetsociety.org <https://community.internetsociety.org/>. > - > View the Internet Society Code of Conduct: https://www.internetsociety.org/become-a-member/code-of-conduct/

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CITI Webinar on The WSIS+20 Review, Wednesday 29 January
by William Drake Jan. 25, 2025

Jan. 25, 2025

Hello Sorry for cross-posting but the event below may be of interest to some on this list. If so, please join us, we’ll have a half hour of open discussion and it would be good to hear a range of views. Registration is at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/columbia-institute-for-tele-informati…. Zoom link is provided upon registration. Cheers Bill Drake > > > > > > > > > > > > > Seminars on Global Digital Governance > Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) > Columbia University Business School > https://business.columbia.edu/citi/events/citi-seminars- <https://business.columbia.edu/citi/events/citi-seminars-global-digital-gove…>g <https://business.columbia.edu/citi/events/citi-seminars-global-digital-gove…>lobal-digital-governance <https://business.columbia.edu/citi/events/citi-seminars-global-digital-gove…> > > > > The WSIS+20 Review: > What is Desirable? What is Possible? What is to be Done? > Wednesday, January 29, 2025 > 11:00-12:30 EDT / UTC - 5 > > Register Here <https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/columbia-institute-for-tele-informati…> > > The UN's 2002-2005 World Summit on the Information Society process was a watershed in the evolution of global digital governance. Among its many impacts were the world-wide institutionalization of Internet governance and other information society issues across organizations and governments; the mobilization of civil society, business and Internet technical community stakeholders, and unprecedented coordination among them; the consolidation of multistakeholder participation in global digital cooperation; and the launching of multiple UN action lines and initiatives like the Internet Governance Forum and the negotiations over enhanced cooperation. > > In 2025 the UN is organizing a 20-year review of the WSIS. Since 2006, the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development has done regular WSIS reviews for the General Assembly and is now preparing its WSIS+20 report, and since 2024 multiple other UN bodies have launched assessments and consultations among member governments and stakeholders. The results of all this work will feed into two key meetings: a July High-Level Event in Geneva, and an autumn UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting in New York City that will take decisions on further actions, including the possible renewal of the IGF's mandate. The procedural modalities have not been settled yet but the deadlines for stakeholders to submit written inputs are January 31 for the International Telecommunication Union's working group and March 14 for the High-Level event. > > Despite the looming deadlines, stakeholder mobilization appears to be lagging a bit. Accordingly, the objective of this webinar is to help stimulate dialogue and consensus-building. Three main questions will structure the discussion: 1) What sort of +20 agreement would be desirable, e.g. just a reaffirmation of the WSIS outcomes and perhaps the UN's 2024 Global Digital Compact, or a new deal encompassing new issues since 2005? 2) What is actually possible to achieve given the current states of digital geopolitics among governments, cooperation among stakeholders, and current technological and market dynamics? 3) How should stakeholders engage and collaborate over the next months? > > A panel of closely involved WSIS veterans will lead off the discussion, and then the rest of the session will be devoted to open conversation among all interested attendees. > > > Introduction of the topic > > Eli Noam <https://business.columbia.edu/citi/people/director> is Paul Garrett Professor of Public Policy and Business Responsibility, Emeritus, and Director of the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information at Columbia Business School. > > Moderator > > William J. Drake <https://williamdrake.academia.edu/> is Director of International Studies at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. > > > Panelists > > Anita Gurumurthy <https://itforchange.net/Anita> is a founding member and Executive Director of IT for Change. She serves on various bodies including as co-chair of the T20’s digital transformation working group, and has been part of the High-Level Committee of the NetMundial+10, the UN Secretary-General’s 10-Member Group on Technology Facilitation, and the Paris Peace Forum’s working group on algorithmic governance. Anita is also a Board member of the ETC Group and University centers such as the Tech & Policy Lab at the University of Western Australia and the International Development and Social Change program of Loughborough University. IT for Change acts as the secretariat of the of the Global Digital Justice Forum, a network of thirty-four civil society organizations. (India) > > David Souter <https://www.apc.org/en/column/inside-digital-society> is an independent researcher and writer on the impact of the digital society on economy, society, environment and governance. He served as CEO of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation from 1995 to 2003, and has worked at the London School of Economics and Strathclyde University. In the last ten years he has worked mostly for United Nations agencies including UNESCO, UNCTAD, ITU, CSTD and DESA. He was lead author of UNESCO's Internet Universality Indicator framework and of the CSTD's WSIS+10 review, and is currently leading CSTD's work on the WSIS+20 review. (United Kingdom) > > Paul Wilson <https://au.linkedin.com/in/pwilson4061> has worked in Internet services, management and governance for 35 years, including nearly 25 years in Australia as the head of APNIC, the Regional Internet address Registry for Asia Pacific. Paul has been closely involved in the WSIS, IGF, ICANN and other Internet coordination processes; was a member of the IGF's Multistakholder Advisory Group for 2 terms; served as Chair of the Asia Pacific IGF for several years; and served on the High-Level Advisory Committee of the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China. He was closely involved in the establishment and evolution of the IGF, the IANA Transition process, and the evolution of the RIR system for stewardship of the Internet’s IP addressing resources. (United States) > > > > Columbia Institute for Tele-Information | 645 West 130th Street Geffen 694 | New York, NY 10027 US

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Appointment of Co-Facilitators for WSIS+20 Modalities Review - 20 January 2025
by AHM Bazlur Rahman Jan. 21, 2025

Jan. 21, 2025

[cid:7f921fe7-b7b6-4515-9b3f-9ccd97f2f0f6] World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 : Appointment of Co-Facilitators for WSIS+20 Modalities Review - 20 January 2025 The President of the United Nations General Assembly has appointed H.E. Mr. Erastus Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Mr. Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuania, as co-facilitators for intergovernmental consultations to finalize the modalities for the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This appointment follows the adoption of General Assembly Resolution 79/194 on 19 December 2024. Please see the related letter here: Letter from President General Assembly on WSIS Co facilitator appointment | General Assembly of the United Nations The UN General Assembly Resolution 79/194, titled “Information and Communications Technologies for Sustainable Development,” was adopted on December 19, 2024, based on the report of the Second Committee (A/79/434, para. 21). This resolution outlines the roadmap for WSIS+20. In accordance with paragraph 71 of General Assembly Resolution 70/125, it decides that the General Assembly will finalize the modalities for the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society as early as possible, but no later than the end of March 2025. The resolution further invites the President of the General Assembly to appoint two co-facilitators to convene open intergovernmental consultations for this purpose, ensuring the input and participation of all stakeholders in both the review and preparatory processes (paragraph 62). Final negotiations are scheduled to take place during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Second Committee Resolution on ICTs for Sustainable Development Adopted 26 Nov 2024 by the Second Committee Para 61. Looks forward , in accordance with its resolution 70/125, to its high-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2025, involving the input and participation of all stakeholders, including in the preparatory process, to take stock of the progress on the outcomes of the World Summit and identify both areas of continued focus and challenges; Para 62. Decides to finalize the modalities for the overall review by the General Assembly of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, in accordance with paragraph 71 of the General Assembly resolution 70/125, as early as possible, but no later than the end of March 2025, and invites the President of the General Assembly to appoint two co-facilitators to convene open intergovernmental consultations for that purpose, involving the input and participation of the stakeholders in the review process, including in the preparatory process; https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/latestnews ----------- Bazlu ___________ AHM. Bazlur Rahman | Specialist in Advancing Digital Democracy MSS in Government & Politics, Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) Chief Executive Officer Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) [In Consultative Status with the ECOSOC, Associated with the Department of Global Communications of the United Nations & Observer Organization with the UNFCCC & Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)] Policy Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Media, Culture & Society in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh| Phone: +8801711881647 | +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 48119374 E-Mail: ceo(a)bnnrc.net<mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net> | bnnrcbd(a)gmail.com<mailto:bnnrcbd@gmail.com> | https://www.bnnrc.net<http://www.bnnrc.net/> [cid:091c9e6c-45b6-4965-a6c5-2b88ea4fdbbe]

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Pact for the Future, GDC and Declaration on Future Generatkons
by Veni Markovski Jan. 4, 2025

Jan. 4, 2025

Hi, everyone! You can download the full text here: <https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-the-pact-for-the-future.pdf> [preview.png] sotf-the-pact-for-the-future<https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-the-pact-for-the-future.pdf> PDF Document · 695 KB<https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/sotf-the-pact-for-the-future.pdf> Best regards, Veni __

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The Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology has transitioned to the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET)
by AHM Bazlur Rahman Jan. 3, 2025

Jan. 3, 2025

[cid:b9aedbd8-8a3f-434c-b8fc-fef8cae95d0d] The Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology has transitioned to the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) As 2025 begins, digital and emerging technologies continue to reshape the world, offering transformative opportunities to address global challenges and unlock new possibilities for all. The Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology has transitioned to the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET). With a strengthened mandate, ODET represents a critical step in implementing the commitments outlined in the Global Digital Compact, adopted in 2024. ODET will act across five strategic areas to: * Advise senior UN leadership on technology trends and strategy * Serve as an advocate and focal point for digital cooperation * Facilitate multistakeholder policy dialogue * Strengthen UN system coordination on digital and emerging technologies * Support the follow-up and implementation of the Global Digital Compact This transition represents a significant moment for the United Nations, reflecting the growing importance of a coordinated, inclusive, and multistakeholder approach to the governance of technologies anchored in the UN Charter, human rights, and the sustainable development agenda. The new Office has critical work ahead, including securing multistakeholder endorsement of the GDC, mapping implementation plans for the GDC, supporting the establishment of an international independent scientific panel, initiating AI policy dialogues within the UN, exploring innovative financing options for AI capacity-building—guided by recommendations from the Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Body—and more. Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has been a significant player in the Global Digital Compact process since 2022 under the Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact. We sincerely thank the dedicated staff members of the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET). BNNRC is excited to foster a collaborative relationship with the ODET from Bangladesh for an open, safe, and secure digital future for all. ----------------- Bazlu _____________ AHM. Bazlur Rahman MSS in Government & Politics, Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) Chief Executive Officer Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) [In Consultative Status with the ECOSOC, Associated with the Department of Global Communications of the United Nations & Observer Organization with the UNFCCC & Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)] Policy Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Society in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh| Phone: +8801711881647 | +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 48119374 E-Mail: ceo(a)bnnrc.net<mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net> | bnnrcbd(a)gmail.com<mailto:bnnrcbd@gmail.com> | https://www.bnnrc.net<http://www.bnnrc.net/> [cid:ecd4565c-b0eb-4b3a-b779-c557d3f5039b]

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