July 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

Re: Thoughts on WSIS+20 elements paper// food for thought
by William Drake Aug. 10, 2025

Aug. 10, 2025

Hi Jorge Ok so if the issue isn’t that you want to focus on non-IG topics but rather that someone in the larger public (unclear who, based on what) doesn’t understand the scope of IG issues, wouldn’t it be better to simply explain the scope of IG issues, rather than change the name to something that probably is no more clearly bounded in their minds? Maybe the IGF could have a simple page on its site saying what IG (and governance more generally) means? Effectively tossing what was agreed in Tunis and done for 20 years in IGF because someone somewhere is perceived to not understand something about it just seems like an odd move, especially if they are just as likely to not understand what is and isn’t meant by digital governance… Cheers Bill Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 26, 2025, at 2:08 PM, Jorge.Cancio(a)bakom.admin.ch wrote: > Hi Bill > > Thanks for you thoughtful input. We are very well aware of the broad working definition of IG. At the same time the perception of the larger public is nowadays to equate „Internet Governance“ with something more narrow… > > Hence the rebranding is a question of communication and understanding: how do we best convey that the IGF is covering from connectivity to HR, AI and so many other things? A rebranding is an option, and can be done in different fashions (as we say in the paper)… but we are open to any options that help to address the existing branding/communication problem that leads to many unproductive discussions and to (interested or naive) pressions to create „digital governance“ fora/venues… > > kindly > > Jorge > > ________________________________ > > Von: William Drake <williamdrake.lists(a)gmail.com> > Datum: 26. Juni 2025 um 13:43:07 MESZ > An: Cancio Jorge BAKOM <jorge.cancio(a)bakom.admin.ch> > Cc: wsis20(a)icann.org <wsis20(a)icann.org> > Betreff: Re: [wsis20] Re: Thoughts on WSIS+20 elements paper// food for thought > > Hi Jorge > > Thanks for recirculating your paper, which has a lot of good ideas like adding multistakeholder dimensions to the UNGIS and CSTD. However, I’m struggling a bit with one key proposal: > > “One further measure should be to strengthen the IGF by rebranding it into a Digital Governance Forum (DGF) or Digital Cooperation Forum (DCF), reflecting and better showcasing the fact that its mandate and practice already cover all aspects of digital governance, not just matters related to the technical governance of the Internet.” > > The WGIG proposed and the Tunis Agenda agreed to a “broad definition” of IG that covered the use of the Internet for information, communication, commerce etc. This was an explicit rejection of the 1990s view that IG involved just the “technical” governance of names, numbers etc., which had inter alia fed the notion that it was all about ICANN and the fight about whether the ITU shouldn’t be doing these things instead. The WGIG proposed and the Tunis Agenda agreed to an IGF that was based on this definition, and hence we have had 20 years of discussions of governance issues related to privacy, human rights, digital trade, IPR, security, social media content and on and on. Many (but not all) of the issues of today related to e.g. data and AI also fit comfortably within the definition. And the IGF community is generally pretty focused on promoting and protecting the Internet as a primary concern. > > Hence I’m puzzled about why you want to downgrade the focus on the Internet and shift to a broader formulation. What non-Internet governance issues do you want us to focus on that cannot be properly addressed in an “IGF”? Radio spectrum management? Quant? EV plug standards? AI use in molecular research? I’m not getting the argument, but surely it can’t be that IG means just name and numbers? > > If instead the concern is protect the IGF from competing initiatives, I have to wonder. The DCF proposal got no traction and seems to be in the rear view mirror, and renaming phenomena and valued processes because of some actors’ efforts or preferences seems a bad idea. > > I’m just not getting your thinking and would like to, so any clarification would be welcome. In the meantime, I favor keeping a focus on the Internet, and Internet governance. > > Cheers > > Bill > > Sent from my iPad > >> On Jun 23, 2025, at 4:34 PM, jorge.cancio--- via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> wrote: >> >> Don’t miss the deadline for contributions for the zero draft on wsis+20 https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccA9… >> >> If you are in need of ideas, please feel free to use the non-paper attached :) >> >> kindly >> >> Jorge >> >> ________________________________ >> >> Von: Fiona Alexander via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> >> Datum: 21. Juni 2025 um 16:07:16 MESZ >> An: wsis20(a)ICANN.org <wsis20(a)icann.org> >> Betreff: [wsis20] Thoughts on WSIS+20 elements paper >> >> Hi to all >> >> Sharing my take on the elements paper. Looking forward to hearing more from others both in person at IGF in Norway and online. >> >> >> * The upfront/intro section is decent in terms of laying out the current environment, the processes so far and includes fulsome multistakeholder references. This chapeau context is important to keep in mind as you review each of the subsequent 15 sections. >> >> >> >> * The general structure of the first half of the issues listed (the first 7) is that each section seems to have a clear structure of: here is the issue, recognition of improvements and identifications of challenges since WSIS, and then closes with a specific feedback question. >> >> >> >> * Nice call out to ICANN and the work on IDNs in para 33, under bridging the digital divide. >> >> >> >> * This structural approach differs in the second half of the elements paper (the remaining 8 sections) starting with the human rights section, so this includes the Internet governance section. In this second half, the approach taken does not clearly describe the progress since WSIS per topic, but it does indicate proposals will be coming and then describes at some level the scope of proposals. This can come across a bit more prescriptive. Unclear why or if this is indicative of anything. Perhaps different staff drafters/leads per section? >> >> >> >> * On Internet governance the text seems to me to be a bit of a mixed bag. >> >> >> >> * Paragraph 59 is 2003 text without the previously agreed contextual qualifiers, so it appears very stark. It does not even update to the agreed WSIS+10 language and seems inconsistent with opening section on multistakeholder. “The governance of the Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organisations.” >> >> >> >> * 59 should be seen as coupled with paragraph 63 on enhanced cooperation which is also a throwback to 2003/2005 and does not recognize all the work on enhanced cooperation over 20 years including the CSTD working group. “Enhanced cooperation is critical to enabling governments on an equal footing to carry out their roles and responsibilities in international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet.” >> >> >> >> * Paragraph 60 is clear on the IGF though. “The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has become an established forum for discussion and its importance as the primary multi-stakeholder platform for discussion of Internet governance issues has been recognized.” >> >> >> >> * As with the second half of the paper there are no specific feedback questions included, but there is a clear indication in paragraphs 62 and 64 that zero draft will include proposals on IGF mandate and renewal as well as enhanced cooperation. >> >> >> Section by Section >> >> Information and communications technologies for development >> “Feedback is sought on ways to strengthen digital capacity, foster inclusion, and ensure equitable digital development for all.” >> >> Digital Economy >> “Feedback is invited on how to close structural gaps, support small enterprises, and ensure fair access to digital opportunities for sustainable development.” >> >> Social and cultural development >> “Feedback is invited on how to expand inclusive access to digital services, address data protection risks, and strengthen national strategies for equitable digital transformation.” >> >> Environmental impacts >> “Feedback is encouraged on ways to reduce the sector’s environmental impact, including advancing circular economy approaches, improving recycling, and setting sustainability standards for digital technologies.” >> >> Bridging digital divides >> “Bridging digital divides across and within countries will remain a central priority of WSIS. We invite reflections on how the WSIS +20 review can contribute towards achieving this” >> >> The enabling environment >> “Feedback is welcomed on how to strengthen integrated digital policies, ensure legal coherence across sectors, and promote innovation while safeguarding rights and public interests.” >> >> Financial mechanisms >> “Feedback is invited on enhancing international support, increasing targeted financing, and ensuring equitable access to resources for inclusive digital transformation.” >> >> Human rights and ethical dimensions of the Information Society >> No feedback question >> >> Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs >> “We invite proposals in this section on augmenting confidence and security in the use of ICTs in line with existing processes and platforms.” >> >> Internet governance >> “The mandate of IGF is subject to this review and proposals on the renewal of its mandate will be presented in the zero draft.” >> >> “The Zero draft will consider proposals on how to work towards the improvement of enhanced cooperation as envisaged in the Tunis Agenda.” >> >> Data governance >> “Proposals on data governance will be presented in the zero draft, taking into consideration the ongoing process working group on data governance for development established by CSTD that will report to the General Assembly in 2026” >> >> Artificial Intelligence >> “Proposals on Artificial Intelligence will be presented in the zero draft, taking into consideration implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the need to ascertain a relationship between GDC implementation and WSIS” >> >> Capacity development >> “The zero draft will explore how to improve capacity building, including by strengthening coherence and coordination between existing mechanisms, establishing new capacity building programs, and other options. We invite ideas and reflections on how to strengthen capacity building in the WSIS +20 Review” >> >> Monitoring and measurement >> “Proposals concerning monitoring and measurement will be included in the zero draft following consideration of responses to the consultation on this Elements Paper.” >> >> Follow-up and review >> “Proposals concerning follow-up to the 2025 review will be included in the zero draft following consideration of responses to the consultation on this Elements Paper.” >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> Fiona Alexander >> Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence, School of International Service >> Distinguished Fellow, Internet Governance Lab >> Executive Advisor, Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute >> American University >> _______________________________________________ >> >> >> Learn more about the WSIS+20 Outreach Network and review relevant resources: https://go.icann.org/wsis20 >> >> Read the public archives for this mailing list: https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/wsis20/ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos) You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on.

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Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB) Reflections on the WSIS+20 Elements Paper
by jen＠dot.asia Aug. 6, 2025

Aug. 6, 2025

Dear All, I am pleased to share this submission by the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB). It is intended to highlight what we have understood to be the priorities, issues, concerns, and suggestions of a broad range of non-governmental stakeholders in discussions and publications over the past months. It is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it attempt to reconcile conflicting points where we have felt that those positions merit further consideration. Nor is it intended to replace respective stakeholder submissions on the Elements Paper, and we take this opportunity to recognize the many thoughtful, multistakeholder discussions that have taken place in recent months. We have endeavoured in this submission to highlight concrete proposals and ideas to facilitate the next step of the WSIS+20 review process, namely the development of a Zero Draft of the UNGA WSIS+20 Outcome Document. Best, Jen on behalf of the IMSB

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ICANN's intervention at the WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session
by Alexey Trepykhalin Aug. 1, 2025

Aug. 1, 2025

Dear All, Please find attached ICANN’s intervention at the WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session on 29 July 2025. Alexey Trepykhalin Senior Manager IGO and Government Engagement Follow-up WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session on 29 July 2025 New York, United Nations 29 July 2025 Good afternoon, Ambassador Janina, Ambassador Lokaale, excellencies and esteemed colleagues. ICANN appreciates the opportunity to share our contribution to the Elements Paper and insights that could hopefully inform the Zero Draft of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document. On Internet governance: ICANN encourages the Zero Draft to reflect the evolution of the Internet and the multistakeholder model of governance since the WSIS Summits in Geneva and in Tunisia, and to recognize the achievements of the multistakeholder approach. This model has played a central role in ensuring the stable and secure functioning of the Internet’s technical infrastructure. Rather than reverting to legacy language, the Zero Draft should reflect the Internet’s continued success — enabled by 20 years of multistakeholder cooperation and contributions from all communities — and the need to sustain and strengthen that foundation. The Elements Paper already recognized that all stakeholders, including the technical community, “have an indispensable role in achieving WSIS outcomes.” We hope that the Zero Draft will use language that builds on and is consistent with the WSIS+10 Outcome Document and the Global Digital Compact (GDC). The GDC has recognized that “Internet governance must continue to be global and multi-stakeholder in nature” with full involvement of all stakeholders. The GDC also states that the Internet “must be open, global, interoperable, stable and secure.” The GDC acknowledged the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as the primary multistakeholder platform for discussion of Internet governance issues. The IGF’s mandate enables it to evolve with the Internet and the technologies that are facilitated by and built on top of the Internet. As such, the WSIS implementation beyond 2025 should leverage this existing and mature assembly. To remain fit for purpose, the IGF requires sustainable resources, a strengthened mandate, and the ability to produce actionable outcomes. Therefore, in addition to extending the mandate of the IGF, ICANN hopes that the Zero Draft examines practical approaches to strengthen the IGF for the future. Thank you. Thank you, Co-facilitators, for giving us the floor a second time. ICANN contributes directly to the WSIS action lines that promote local content, cultural identity, and linguistic diversity. We are honored that the Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) were cited in the Elements paper as helping to make the Internet more multilingual. Together with the Universal Acceptance (UA) program, these efforts advance a multilingual Internet by ensuring that valid domain names and email addresses work across all Internet-enabled applications, devices, and systems. Widespread adoption of IDNs and UA is essential to bridging the digital divide, but also to opening the gateway to the next billion Internet users; sustaining language diversity; building trust in the Internet’s infrastructure; and reducing barriers to access for all communities. The roles of UN agencies who have contributed to the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines should be recognised and further supported. For instance, ITU has done a commendable job in tracking the achievements of and encouraging further WSIS Implementation, including WSIS stocktaking through its annual ITU WSIS Forum. In addition, UNESCO recently signed an agreement with ICANN to enhance the linguistic diversity in the digital world to make the Internet more accessible to hundreds of millions of users. These examples underscore the value of each component of the multistakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic communities, and international organizations. Their distinct roles and ongoing collaboration are essential to sustaining the WSIS+20 Framework and meeting future challenges. Thank you.

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CSTD WSIS Resolution adopted by Ecosoc
by jorge.cancio＠bakom.admin.ch July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

fyi: today Ecosoc adopted the CSTD Resolution on WSIS, which includes some useful language for wsis+20, e.g.: 132. Highlights the role of the United Nations Group on the Information Society in coordinating the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit, and recommends, as an outcome of the World Summit 20-year review, strengthening its functioning by including further United Nations offices with responsibilities in matters of digital cooperation, as well as multi-stakeholder advice on its work, as appropriate; 133. Recommends further that, as an outcome of the World Summit 20-year review, the United Nations Group on the Information Society be tasked with developing a joint implementation road map, to be presented to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development at its twenty-ninth session, to integrate the Global Digital Compact commitments into the World Summit architecture, ensuring a unified approach to digital cooperation that avoids duplication and maximizes resource efficiency; 134. Highlights, in this regard, the well-established role of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development as an intergovernmental platform for discussions on the impact and opportunities of technologies for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and calls for a strengthening of the Commission as an outcome of the World Summit 20-year review; 135. Emphasizes the role of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development in the follow-up and review process of the Global Digital Compact and the need for ensuring the strongest possible convergence between the implementation of the World Summit outcomes and the Compact to avoid duplication and enhance synergies, efficiencies and thereby impact;

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Speaker list for the Follow-up WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session 29 July
by Amrita Choudhury July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Hi All, The speaker list for the Follow-up WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session on 29 July from 10:00-13:00 EDT to 13:30-15:30 EDT is available here: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/(… Regards Amrita

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EU input to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft
by BARBOTTE Daphne (EEAS-NEW YORK) July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Dear all, On behalf of the EU and its Member States, I am pleased to share the EU written input to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, prepared on the basis of the elements paper shared by the co-facilitators. In addition, I am also pleased to share three non-papers to detail further the EU priorities outlined during the first consultation, respectively on i) WSIS-SDG-GDC roadmaps; ii) human rights; and iii) the IGF. The EU and its Member States remain committed to continue working closely and constructively with all partners worldwide to advance an inclusive, open, free, reliable, safe and secure digital space for all. Kind regards, Daphné Daphné Barbotte Policy Officer - STI/Digital Sustainable Development Team European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York @EUatUN<http://twitter.com/EUatUN> www.eu-un.europa.eu<http://www.eu-un.europa.eu/> [cid:image001.png@01DB004C.8F646F00]

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Blog from the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB)
by Theresa Swinehart July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

All, Appreciating all the discussions on this list! Please find here the blog posted by the IMSB which has been posted on the WSIS website here: WSIS+20 Latest News | Public Institutions [publicadministration.desa.un.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20_…>. Kind regards, Theresa and IMSB team

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APAC Youth Input to the WSIS+20 Consultation 🌐
by Bea Guevarra July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

Dear all, As part of the preparatory process for the WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly (16-17 December 2025), a team of Asia-Pacific youth and NetMission alumni worked collectively to shape input for the WSIS+20 Zero Draft of the outcome document. Attached, you’ll find: - Our Youth Input to the WSIS+20 Consultation - A separate Youth Statement capturing key insights and recommendations shared during the APAC Youth WSIS+20 Webinar Series (2-3 July 2025). The statement is a living document, something we’ll continue to shape through ongoing engagement with the wider NetMission+ community. This effort aligns with the indicative roadmap shared by the WSIS+20 Co-Facilitators (Albania and Kenya) and will help inform negotiations through the Elements Paper and subsequent drafts. The APAC Youth aim to contribute to building a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society that reaffirms the WSIS principles while addressing emerging digital trends and governance challenges. As youth across the APAC region, we're stepping up to ensure our voices are not only heard but meaningfully included in shaping the future of digital cooperation. We welcome your thoughts, feedback, or collaboration as this process continues. 😊 Wishing you well, *Bea Guevarra* *On behalf of the APAC Youth and NetMission Team*

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Announcement: Follow-up WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session - 29 July 2025
by jen＠dot.asia July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

Dear All, The follow-up WSIS+20 Informal Stakeholder Consultation Session for 29 July 2025 (10:00-13:00 EDT / 14:00-17:00 UTC) is now announced with a registration deadline of 23 July. This is a multistakeholder consultation with the participation of Member States and all other stakeholder groups together. The session will be on the Elements Paper, with specific focus on topics where feedback was requested. Please see the announcement containing registration link and additional information here: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/wsisinformalsession Best, Jennifer

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Recall: Welcome Désirée & Last-Minute Contact Details
by Sabrina Wilkinson July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Sabrina Wilkinson would like to recall the message, "Welcome Désirée & Last-Minute Contact Details ".

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