November 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

Release: Declaration on Meaningful Youth Participation + Asia Pacific yIGF Report
by Jenna Fung Nov. 23, 2025

Nov. 23, 2025

Dear Colleagues and Friends, This month, the Asia Pacific Youth IGF 2025 released its Declaration on Meaningful Youth Participation <https://netmission.asia/2025/11/04/yigf-asia-2025-declaration-on-meaningful…> and full event report <https://netmission.asia/2025/11/21/yigf2025-report/>, which includes a three-point Call to Action from the Organizing Committee. These documents represent months of collaboration among youth across the Asia-Pacific region to shape our contributions to the WSIS+20 Review process <http://nma.asia/apac-youth-wsis-20>. Throughout this journey, youth leaders worked collectively to define our shared vision, articulate our priorities, and advocate for meaningful roles for young people in the global Internet governance ecosystem. Our message is clear and unified: youth are ready, capable, and committed to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable digital future along with all stakeholders. We call for: - Recognizing youth as co-creators in Internet governance by structurally including us through youth councils and leadership pathways, and by providing sustained support and resources for Youth IGFs. - Closing the digital divide through equity, diversity, and inclusion by engaging youth in capacity building, monitoring, and advocacy to ensure sustainable digital practices for future generations. - Fostering responsible, sustainable innovation that is grounded in long-term thinking and intergenerational fairness. We invite you to take a moment to view these materials and help amplify our work. View all 👉 Read our Declaration on Meaningful Youth Participation <https://netmission.asia/2025/11/04/yigf-asia-2025-declaration-on-meaningful…> 👉 Read the Asia Pacific yIGF 2025 Report & Call to Action <https://netmission.asia/2025/11/21/yigf2025-report/> To learn more about all of our contributions, statements, and advocacy efforts from the past months, please read our WSIS+20 intervention summary <https://netmission.asia/2025/11/22/apac-youth-leaders-call-for-sustained-re…> and visit the full WSIS+20 Youth Contributions page <http://nma.asia/apac-youth-wsis-20>. P.S. Feel free to share the Declaration and Event Report with peers and invite them to help amplify our voice! Every share strengthens our message! Share via WhatsApp <https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=The%20WSIS%2B20%20Review%20is%20underway…>, LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/posts/yigf-asia_youthingovernance-digitalequity-ap…>, Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/p/DRTbYC-DGlB/> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17q8tDPDR1/>. In solidarity with next-generation leaders, *Jenna Fung* Managing Director *| **NetMission.Asia* email. jenna.fung(a)netmission.asia Dot.Asia | NetMission.Asia | yIGF.asia | APrIGF.asia

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Stakeholder consultations at ICANN84 and next steps
by Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond Nov. 22, 2025

Nov. 22, 2025

Dear Colleagues, those of you attending ICANN84 will have been aware of the stakeholder consultations that His Excellency Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale (Kenya) held throughout the week, both in open, large assemblies and in small groups. Ambassador Lokaale is one of the two Co-Facilitators of the WSIS+20 review process, the other being Her Excellency Suela Janina (Albania), who was not present in Dublin. I was very pleased with the extent to which Ambassador Lokaale was open to full dialogue and to listening to all parts of ICANN's community. It was also very interesting to obtain some feedback as to what topics to be included in the Paper will have a chance to remain there and what topics are already flagged as receiving significant opposition by some member States. Of course, the next big steps will be the virtual stakeholder consultations to be held on 14 November. Instructions on how to participate are given on: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20 and https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/rev1consultation But then, the final meeting in the process will be that of the UN High Level Event on 16 and 17 December 2025: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/GA%20High-Level-Meeting And this is where one particularly concerning bit of information troubled me: that there might be some "issue trading" at this high level, with issues that are not related in any way with the WSIS+20 process, traded for geopolitical reasons. And therefore, I heard that we, in our communities, should make sure that our countries' respective Ambassadors and Delegations at the UNGA be fully briefed about the importance of the WSIS+20 process, of our multistakeholder values, of the importance of the WSIS principles to the Internet and its repercussions beyond the Internet. This is a job for each and everyone of us, with our respective national delegations. Kindest regards, Olivier Crépin-Leblond

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Internet Society's intervention during the WSIS+20 virtual stakeholder consultation
by Mona Gaballa Nov. 21, 2025

Nov. 21, 2025

Hi everyone, Please find the Internet Society's intervention during the WSIS+20 Virtual Stakeholder Consultation on Rev1 earlier today. * On behalf of the Internet Society, I would like to begin by thanking you, DESA and the co-facilitators, for keeping the WSIS process as open and transparent as possible, and for welcoming stakeholders views on t views on the first revision of the zero draft. The Internet Society is committed to bridging the digital divide by supporting connectivity and sustainable infrastructure, and to ensuring the Internet remains an open, secure and trusted global resource for everyone. On this occasion, noting time is running short, we would like to offer some general remarks and recommendations to keep the text crisp, concise and action focused. The Internet is empowering more people, more services, and more development opportunities than ever. Which is precisely why the WSIS+20 review outcome document should reinforce what keeps it open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy. Firstly, we would like to note that the section entitled “Enabling environment for digital development”, should explicitly include elements that help achieve an enabling environment. Paragraph 48 should include measures such as “proportionate taxation and licensing fees, access to finance, facilitation of public-private partnerships, multistakeholder cooperation, national and regional broadband strategies, efficient allocation of radio frequency spectrum, infrastructure sharing models, community-based approaches, and public access facilities.” Secondly, in paragraph 53, we note the reference to “critical Internet infrastructure”, which has no agreed definition, and would like to call for it’s deletion, as the paragraph already importantly recognizes the efforts to protect infrastructure. Additionally, we welcome the substantive changes introduced to the “Internet Governance” section. Including the permanent mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the recognition of the NETmundial+10 guidelines for multistakeholder collaboration and consensus building. As well as paragraph 120 which provides recommendations on how to strengthen coherence between the WSIS vision and GDC commitments. However, paragraph 101, which invites the Secretary-General to make proposals concerning future funding of the IGF , needs to be done in consultation with existing IGF funders and stakeholders to ensure stable, predictable, and sustainable financial support of the Forum. Regarding paragraph 119, we recommend retaining the call for multistakeholder advice to UNGIS to ensure more effective collaboration, information exchange, and to avoid duplication. As we noted in the previous consultation, the Internet Society will keep working with our global community of chapters, individual and organization members to translate these priorities into additional concrete recommendations as the process reaches its final stages. Our aim is the same as yours: a WSIS+20 outcome that people can rally around, that strengthens multistakeholder collaboration, and that keeps the Internet open, globally connected, secure and trustworthy for everyone. Warm regards, Mona Gaballa, Senior Advisor, Institutional Relations gaballa(a)isoc.org | +19082799933 [cid:b54d5039-cdbb-407d-8656-8b2572ce6bed] internetsociety.org | @internetsociety

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Rev1 is released
by Israel Rosas Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

Hi all, I noticed that Rev1 was just released: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/R… The IG portion is notably positive, but I haven't had the chance of going through the entire document yet I'd also like to invite you to the Internet Society's open door sessions to discuss this document on Wednesday at 11 and 23 UTC. To accommodate different time zones, please register for the session that works best for you: * WSIS+20 Review Open Door Session 1 🗓️ 12 November, 11:00 AM UTC 🔗 Register here<https://isoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BsM4pd26T42PVUM7mo2WAQ> * WSIS+20 Review Open Door Session 2 🗓️ 12 November, 11:00 PM UTC 🔗 Register here<https://isoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8eKuT4v0QJmhhQM20_aLtA> Best, Isra Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society

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Internet Society analysis on Rev. 1
by Israel Rosas Nov. 18, 2025

Nov. 18, 2025

Dear all, I hope you’re doing well. I’m happy to share with you our initial analysis on the WSIS+20 Rev. 1 document, which is available here: https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2025/wsis20-revision-1-rev-1-… Our matrix focuses on our priorities for this process. We’re open to receive feedback and suggestions, as we keep crafting our analysis for the final views of the process. Best, Isra Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society

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ICANN's intervention at the WSIS+20 Consultations with Stakeholders and Memeber States (14 November 2025)
by Alexey Trepykhalin Nov. 15, 2025

Nov. 15, 2025

Dear All, Please find below ICANN’s intervention on 14 November 2024 at the WSIS+20 Consultations with Stakeholders and Member States. Alexey WSIS+20 Consultations with Stakeholders and Member States New York, United Nations 14 November 2025 Chair, excellencies, and esteemed colleagues. ICANN considers Revision 1 a well-crafted text that continues to provide a basis for the final draft. On Internet governance: ICANN strongly supports the continued affirmation of the value and principles of multistakeholder cooperation as reflected in paragraphs 3, 87, and 88. We also strongly support the need for an Internet that is “open, global, interoperable, stable and secure” as reflected in some paragraphs in the text, including in paragraph 89. ICANN is pleased to see the continued recognition of the unique role of the technical community as a distinct member of the stakeholder community. While ICANN shares the reaffirmation of the need to promote international cooperation to prevent, identify, and address the risk of fragmentation of the Internet, we suggest reverting to the term “fragmentation of the Internet architecture” as protecting the architecture is particularly fundamental to the Internet’s continued smooth operation. Regarding the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), ICANN is encouraged to see Rev. 1’s continuation of support to the IGF’s permanence, enhancement, and future funding. ICANN also welcomes the emphasis on linguistic diversity, including how initiatives like Internationalized Domain Names and Universal Acceptance contribute to making the Internet and digital services become fully accessible to all. We appreciate Rev. 1’s text that seeks to provide further detail on how the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and WSIS integration could be operationalized (for example, in paragraphs 111, 120, and 121), and the future work on future financial mechanisms for digital development in paragraph 64. We caution on the introduction of new terms into WSIS, such as “critical Internet infrastructure” in paragraph 53, especially if it could affect ongoing discussions at other U.N. processes. We are grateful to the WSIS+20 co-facilitators for their tireless efforts to proactively engage with the various Internet stakeholder groups and remaining open to the view of the technical community. ICANN and our community thank Ambassador Lokaale, Ambassador Janina, and the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs team at the ICANN84 meeting in Dublin last month. We thank Ambassador Lokaale’s participation in the geopolitical session. The link to this session’s recording will appear in the chat window: ICANN84 Geopolitical Forum: WSIS+20 Focus https://icann84.sched.com/event/29QIK/geopolitical-forum-wsis+20-focus. This concludes our short remarks. Thank you.

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WSIS+20 HL Meeting Registration Extended
by jen＠dot.asia Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

Dear All, Please see the note from the WSIS+20 Secretariat below regarding the extension for registration for the WSIS+20 High-level meeting. Best, Jen Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 11:19 AM Subject: [IMSB] WSIS+20 HL Meeting Registration Extended Dear All, The Secretariat would like to share with you that the deadline for stakeholders to register for the WSIS+20 High-level Meeting <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/GA%20High-Level-Meeting> has now been extended by one week, until Friday 21 November. Registration is done via Indico, here: https://indico.un.org/event/1020284/. We would be grateful for your support in circulating this information through your networks. With thanks and kind regards, Eleonora

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IMSB Blog: Upcoming Consultations on Rev1 & 'Office Hours'
by jen＠dot.asia Nov. 12, 2025

Nov. 12, 2025

Dear All, The IMSB has just posted a blog on Upcoming Consultations on Rev1 & 'Office Hours'. https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/imsb We appreciate that the community has been following closely the tight timeline between the expected publication of Rev1 and consultation opportunities scheduled for 14 November. I would like to highlight that the IMSB will be hosting 'office hours' to engage directly with all stakeholders, answer questions, and hear views that can further inform its guidance to the Co-Facilitators. These sessions are designed to make it easier for all interested participants to share their perspectives and ensure that the IMSB's advice truly reflects the diversity of stakeholder inputs across regions and sectors. These sessions will be held: * <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdefDfAQL5aMxx6gPwI5vYghmvq0_LyuP_ sXQmj22BKovcsEQ/viewform> Wednesday 12 November (04:00 UTC, 14:00 UTC) * <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUXowz_Hv8rn0a0Wor5tL2ZqrwzJCQnJ1 iNt-3YGzr-mHY9A/viewform?usp=publish-editor> Wednesday 19 November (04:00 UTC, 14:00 UTC) The IMSB warmly encourages all stakeholders to make use of these opportunities for engagement - through consultations, written inputs, or office hours - so that the collective multistakeholder voice continues to shape the process and outcomes in a meaningful way. Best, Jen (on behalf of the IMSB)

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Re: Rev1 is released
by Alexey Trepykhalin Nov. 11, 2025

Nov. 11, 2025

Israel, Thank you for this comprehensive comparison between the Zero Draft and Rev 1. Also, in preparations towards the WSIS+20 review Open Door Session 1 and 2 on 12 November please find attached our initial take on the text of the Rev. 1: Removed text in para 87: We reaffirm the principle agreed in the Geneva Declaration of Principles that the management of the Internet encompasses both technical and public policy issues and should involve all stakeholders and relevant intergovernmental and international organizations, within their respective roles and responsibilities, as set out in paragraph 35 of the Tunis Agenda. We reaffirm that effective Internet governance must preserve the open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure nature of the Internet, and reject models of state-controlled or fragmented Internet architectures. Comment: Removing the first sentence is not a problem, as Geneva Declaration of Principles are reconfirmed in the introduction, but the removal of the last few words from the last sentence is not a good development; I guess they decided to remove text that was controversial for some of the UN Member States. We might see if the fragmentation of the Internet architectures could be introduced in new para 89 (see below). Changed text in para 88 From: We recognise the need to promote greater participation and engagement in Internet governance discussions of Governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, the technical and academic communities and all other relevant stakeholders from all countries. To: We recognize the need to promote greater participation and engagement in Internet governance discussions of all stakeholders from all countries. Comment: while the removal of the stakeholders might seem important, the technical community is mentioned in three other instances (para 53, 57 and 103). Combined text from different paras into a new one, 89: From: 106. We recognize that the Internet is a critical global facility for inclusive and equitable digital transformation. To fully benefit all, it must be open, global, interoperable, stable and secure. 107. We recognise that the open, interoperable nature of the Internet has underpinned the development of an extraordinary range of services and applications, reaching across the range of human society including governance, economy, development and rights. We reaffirm the need to promote international cooperation among all stakeholders to prevent, identify and address risks of fragmentation of the Internet. To: 89. We recognize that the Internet is a critical global facility for inclusive and equitable digital transformation. The open, interoperable nature of the Internet has underpinned the development of an extraordinary range of services and applications, reaching across the range of human society including governance, economy, development and rights. To fully benefit all, it must be open, global, interoperable, stable and secure. We reaffirm the need to promote international cooperation among all stakeholders to prevent, identify and address risks of fragmentation of the Internet. Comment: mostly editorial changes, but opens the possibility to ask them to change “fragmentation of the Internet” to “fragmentation of the Internet architectures” and maybe the sentence “To fully benefit all, it must be open, global, interoperable, stable and secure” to “To fully benefit all, it’s technical functioning must be open, global, interoperable, stable and secure”. New para 93: We take note of the NETmundial+10 guidelines for multistakeholder collaboration and consensus-building, endorsed in April 2024, as a contribution to strengthening Internet governance through inclusive participation, balanced representation and openness. Comment: it’s good NETmundial+10 is mentioned, seems like Brazil’s contribution. New text for the IGF in para 100: The Internet Governance Forum should continue to serve as an inclusive platform for dialogue among all stakeholders, while further strengthening the engagement of governments and other stakeholders from developing countries in discussions on Internet governance and emerging technologies. Comments: seems like a good addition, as asking for increased engagement of governments and other stakeholders, in particularly from the developing countries. There is no change in the decision to make the IGF a permanent forum. Comment: that’s good. The disappointing points are: • IMSB is not mentioned (they did a lot of work); • para 73 deleted reference to "refraining from undue restrictions, such as Internet shutdowns, arbitrary and unlawful surveillance or online censorship" that could be found in para 88 and 89 from the Zero Draft; and • recognition of "the management of the Internet as a global facility includes multilateral, transparent, democratic, and multi-stakeholder processes" to describe Internet governance in para 87 was also deleted (it was previously in para 104 of the Zero Draft). Attention should also be paid to the following points: 1. enhanced cooperation pp. 90 and 91 are in the Section on Internet governance. In the WSIS+10 outcome document<https://publicadministration.un.org/wsis10/Portals/5/N1543842_1.pdf> the enhanced cooperation was moved to a separate subsection 4.1 This signified its separation from “4. IG Section”. Some member states with the codified, civil law system (Russia, China, most of South America, Africa, Europe, etc.) may also view this as a significant development. 2. On Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs Section please note that member states are introducing a term: “critical Internet infrastructure”, – that is new to the WSIS terminology. Tunis Agenda mentions "Critical Internet Resources", WSIS+10 does not mention this at all. Inclusion of this terminology into the confidence and security section could influence how the states may view the discussions in the UN 1st Committee on the new ICT Convention. Best, Alexey From: Israel Rosas via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Reply-To: Israel Rosas <rosas(a)isoc.org> Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:06 AM To: Alejandro Pisanty via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Subject: [wsis20] Re: Rev1 is released As a follow-up, in case it’s useful, please find attached an *unofficial* comparison between the Zero Draft and Rev1 in track changes. Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society From: Israel Rosas via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM To: Alejandro Pisanty via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Subject: [wsis20] Rev1 is released Hi all, I noticed that Rev1 was just released: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/R… [publicadministration.desa.un.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/d…> The IG portion is notably positive, but I haven't had the chance of going through the entire document yet I'd also like to invite you to the Internet Society's open door sessions to discuss this document on Wednesday at 11 and 23 UTC. To accommodate different time zones, please register for the session that works best for you: * WSIS+20 Review Open Door Session 1 🗓️ 12 November, 11:00 AM UTC 🔗 Register here [isoc.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/isoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BsM4pd2…> * WSIS+20 Review Open Door Session 2 🗓️ 12 November, 11:00 PM UTC 🔗 Register here [isoc.zoom.us]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/isoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8eKuT4v…> Best, Isra Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society

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revision 1 draft online
by jorge.cancio＠bakom.admin.ch Nov. 8, 2025

Nov. 8, 2025

fyi: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/R…

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