July 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

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

July 8, 2025

Hi everyone, Hope your first day at the WSIS Forum went smoothly! A quick heads-up for Tuesday's panel: the wonderful Désirée Miloshevic will be joining as our final panellist. No changes for Veni, Chafic, Jen and Alishah-same speaking order and questions. Désirée will pick up right after Alishah. I've attached an updated briefing note that simply adds her details. For your info, CIRA also just published the report that underpins this session: cira.ca/en/ig-report<https://www.cira.ca/en/resources/documents/state-of-internet/strengthening-…>. As a reminder, you do not need to have read this report to engage in this panel. Sharing so you're aware of the status of the publication status. Thrilled to have you all on board and looking forward to following along virtually. If anything comes up, please don't hesitate to reach out to Charles (charles.noir(a)cira.ca | +1 613 897 5307) or me-just please note I'm six hours behind. Kind regards, Sabrina Sabrina Wilkinson Internet Governance Manager, CIRA M: 613.857.4195 | cira.ca<http://cira.ca/> [cid:image001.png@01DBEF8B.38D298E0] CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

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Announcement of Selected Members of the WSIS+20 Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB)
by Veni Markovski July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hi, everyone! The Co-Facilitators of the WSIS+20 Review are pleased to announce the composition of the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), an informal mechanism established to support an open and responsive twenty-year review of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Following an open call for expressions of interest among eligible non-governmental members of the 2025 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and Leadership Panel (LP), the following individuals have been selected to serve on the IMSB: * Valeria Betancourt (Ecuador), Civil Society – Latin America and the Caribbean – MAG member * Chris Buckridge (Australia), Technical Community – Western European and Others Group – MAG member * Amrita Choudhury (India), Civil Society – Asia Pacific – MAG member * Jennifer Chung (China), Technical Community – Asia Pacific – MAG member * Hossam Reda Elgamal (Egypt), Private Sector – Africa – MAG member * Maria Fernanda Garza (Mexico), Private Sector – Latin America and the Caribbean – Leadership Panel member * Tereza Horejsova (Czechia), Civil Society – Eastern Europe – MAG member * Wolfgang Kleinwächter (Germany), Civil Society – Western European and Others Group – MAG member * Jimson Olufuye (Nigeria), Private Sector – Africa – MAG member * Theresa Swinehart (United States), Technical Community – Western European and Others Group – MAG member Ex Officio * Vinton Cerf (United States) — At-large – Western European and Others Group – Chair of the IGF Leadership Panel More details: <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20> WSIS+20 Latest News | Public Institutions<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20> desa.un.org<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20> [favicon.ico] <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20> Best regards, Veni __

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Joint NRI & CSO Statement – WSIS+20 Review
by Sophia July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Dear all, My name is Sophia Longwe, and I am reaching out to you on behalf of the German Youth IGF and other already supporting NRIs. In the current version of the IGF elements paper, several core aspects - namely multistakeholder approaches, the role of the IGF, the role of NRIs, and the principle of technology neutrality - are either missing or insufficiently represented. At the Open Consultation in Oslo these concerns were widely raised. We strongly believe that a joint contribution from NRIs and CSOs across the globe would carry significantly more weight and visibility than individual statements. To address this, we have drafted a concise joint statement highlighting the key points we collectively wish to see included in the final version of the paper. Please note that this is not meant to reflect the full positions of all NRIs, but rather the shared priorities we can agree upon as a global network. This statement does not replace or limit any individual NRI or CSO contributions. You can access the current draft here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K7km90ZWqc-EqDN14ULR4roM_NqXruhePz6R0IO… Our goal is to submit this joint statement as a written contribution by July 15. We are aware that due to the timeline this process differs from the usual inclusive approach. However, if the points resonate with your ongoing discussions, we warmly invite you to support the statement and add your organization to the list. A more extensive and comprehensive contribution could follow in September, allowing additional time for wider consultation. We would be grateful if you could review the draft and let us know by July 15 if you are willing to be listed as a supporting NRI and/or CSO. Your input will help ensure that the joint statement is both inclusive and impactful. Best wishes, Sophia Longwe

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AI powered ressources and analysis of open consultation on WSIS+20 with co-facs
by jorge.cancio＠bakom.admin.ch July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Dear all Drawing your attention to the AI powered analysis of the key open consultation session held by the wsis+20 co-facs in Lilleström last week, please check: https://dig.watch/event/internet-governance-forum-2025/wsis20-open-consulta… I find especially the "take aways" section under "in-depth analysis" extremely useful, which I copy here for your ease: == Key takeaways The WSIS Plus 20 review process is firmly grounded in multi-stakeholder principles and aims to assess 20 years of progress while shaping a forward-looking digital vision There is strong consensus among stakeholders for a permanent, sustainable, and well-funded IGF mandate rather than periodic renewals The Global Digital Compact should be implemented through the existing WSIS architecture using a joint implementation roadmap to avoid duplication of processes Internet governance language in the elements paper needs updating from 2003 terminology to reflect current multi-stakeholder realities as agreed in WSIS Plus 10 and Global Digital Compact Human rights language requires strengthening with explicit references to international human rights law, including UDHR, ICCPR, and ICESCR Technical community must be explicitly recognized as a key stakeholder group alongside governments, civil society, and private sector Digital divides persist with one-third of global population offline, requiring concrete actions for universal and meaningful connectivity Youth and teens (13-19) should be recognized as current stakeholders, not just future ones, given their active digital participation National and Regional IGF initiatives (NRIs) play crucial roles and should be explicitly recognized and supported in the framework Resolutions and action items Co-facilitators will produce a zero draft by mid-August 2024 incorporating feedback from consultations Written contributions deadline set for July 15, 2024, with possible extension if there is greater interest Joint consultation with member states and stakeholders may be organized by end of July 2024 Co-facilitators committed to running transparent and inclusive process with continued stakeholder engagement Co-facilitators will be present at ITU WSIS Plus 20 forum and other regional consultations Stakeholders requested to provide both oral and written inputs on the elements paper Clear timeline for consultations and negotiations until December 2024 to be provided for better planning Hybrid consultation format to be maintained to enable global participation from those unable to travel to New York Unresolved issues Whether and how to address AI governance and data governance within WSIS Plus 20 context - co-facilitators noted differing views on including sections on emerging technologies Specific mechanisms for integrating Global Digital Compact implementation into WSIS architecture beyond general agreement on joint roadmap Whether to establish specific WSIS targets for measuring progress, particularly connectivity benchmarks How to operationalize human rights-based approach across all digital governance areas Specific funding mechanisms for ensuring sustainable IGF operations and broader WSIS implementation Balance between acknowledging related processes (like Global Digital Compact) while maintaining WSIS Plus 20 focus How to ensure meaningful participation of Global South communities without straining existing resources Specific institutional updates needed for UN Group on Information Society and CSTD mandate Suggested compromises Measured approach adopted in elements paper to acknowledge progress while addressing new developments like AI without resurrecting old controversies Recognition that geopolitical tensions may impact process while maintaining focus on technical cooperation Acknowledgment of related processes like Global Digital Compact while conducting WSIS Plus 20 review Flexible consultation format combining in-person New York sessions with virtual participation and regional hubs Using informal multi-stakeholder sounding board as channel while ensuring it's not the only representative of global community Building on existing WSIS action lines which are technology-agnostic to accommodate emerging issues like AI and data governance Balancing state concerns with multi-stakeholder governance needs in internet governance discussions == Kindly Jorge

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