August 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

WSIS+20 Zero Draft Webinars
by Carlos Reyes Sept. 2, 2025

Sept. 2, 2025

Dear WSIS+20 Outreach Network, ICANN is pleased to announce that the co-facilitators appointed by the President of the United Nations General Assembly to lead the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society will participate in a webinar on the recently published Zero Draft: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/W… H.E. Ms. Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations will join members of the Informal Multistakeholder Sounding Board, Fiona Alexander, and Markus Kummer. PLEASE REGISTER: Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 12:00 UTC https://icann.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IvKxHHdUS8CgDvdDRR3mfQ Thursday, 4 September 2025, 01:00 UTC https://icann.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oPwU32yeS9mu1le6OZbHrg Thank you, Carlos Reyes and the ICANN team supporting the WSIS+20 Outreach Network Carlos Reyes Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Washington, D.C. Engagement Center

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WSIS+20 Zero Draft (and invitation to open door sessions)
by Israel Rosas Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

Hi all, The WSIS+20 Zero Draft was just released. It’s available on UNDESA’s website: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20 The direct PDF is here<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/W…>. The Internet Society will organize two open-door sessions on Thursday, 4 September, at 10:00 AM UTC and 10:00 PM UTC. During these sessions, we’ll discuss with our community and partners our initial impressions about this document, which will help inform our written contribution to the process and the matrix that we’ll develop in the coming weeks. When: Thursday, 4 September 2025. At what time: 10:00 AM UTC and 10:00 PM UTC. Registration: For the 10:00 AM UTC session (here<https://isoc.zoom.us/meeting/register/n8v6W86rSHuu3KI8atXaSw>). For the 10:00 PM UTC session (here<https://isoc.zoom.us/meeting/register/2JEgAWRBQniBfioSRbxmnA>). Information resources: We offer a dedicated page related to the WSIS+20 review<https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/internet-governance/wsis/>, where we’ll publish our initial takes, as well as subsequent documents as the process progresses. I hope to see you there. Best, Isra Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society

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CIRA op-ed & report: Strengthening and improving multistakeholder Internet governance
by Sabrina Wilkinson Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

Hello everyone, CircleID has just published an op-ed by CIRA's President and CEO, Byron Holland: https://circleid.com/posts/technical-community-calls-for-stronger-smarter-i…<https://circleid.com/posts/technical-community-calls-for-stronger-smarter-i…> The piece highlights CIRA's recently published report Strengthening and Improving Multistakeholder Internet Governance: How the Technical Community Can Help. Developed with input from more than 80 technical community members, the report examines current challenges facing the multistakeholder model and outlines a set of interlocking strategic proposals to strengthen it. For those who haven't yet had a chance to read the report, it is available for download on CIRA's website at: http://cira.ca/en/ig-report Many thanks to all who contributed to this effort, Sabrina Sabrina Wilkinson Internet Governance Manager, CIRA M: 613.857.4195 | cira.ca<http://cira.ca/> [cid:image001.png@01DC18F6.A3303820] CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

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Re: Online registration is now open - Two-day Informal Interactive WSIS stakeholder consultations on the Zero-Draft
by Alexey Trepykhalin Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

Thanks, Angela. Also, next Wednesday, September 3, ICANN will organize two webinars to discuss the Zero Draft, which is expected to be published tomorrow. Exact time and ways to join will be shared in due course. Best, Alexey From: Angela Wibawa via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Reply-To: Angela Wibawa <angela.wibawa(a)icann.org> Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM To: "wsis20(a)icann.org" <wsis20(a)icann.org> Subject: [wsis20] Online registration is now open - Two-day Informal Interactive WSIS stakeholder consultations on the Zero-Draft Dear All, The UN DESA has opened the registration for a two-day Informal Interactive WSIS stakeholder consultations on the Zero-Draft. The virtual consultations will be divided into two sessions to accommodate different geographic regions and time zones. The consultation will focus on the review of implementation of the outcomes of WSIS and seek to provide comments to the Zero Draft. The informal consultations will precede the 2nd Preparatory Meeting which will take place on 15 October 2025 and be broadcasted via UN Web TV. Online registration is now open until 26 September 2025, 11:59 pm EST. Registration is required to attend the virtual WSIS+20 consultations. Please see the announcement containing registration link and additional information here: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/octconsultations [publicadministration.desa.un.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/…> Best Regards, Angela Wibawa Director APAC, Government and IGO Engagement Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mobile: +65 9661 6009

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Online registration is now open - Two-day Informal Interactive WSIS stakeholder consultations on the Zero-Draft
by Angela Wibawa Aug. 27, 2025

Aug. 27, 2025

Dear All, The UN DESA has opened the registration for a two-day Informal Interactive WSIS stakeholder consultations on the Zero-Draft. The virtual consultations will be divided into two sessions to accommodate different geographic regions and time zones. The consultation will focus on the review of implementation of the outcomes of WSIS and seek to provide comments to the Zero Draft. The informal consultations will precede the 2nd Preparatory Meeting which will take place on 15 October 2025 and be broadcasted via UN Web TV. Online registration is now open until 26 September 2025, 11:59 pm EST. Registration is required to attend the virtual WSIS+20 consultations. Please see the announcement containing registration link and additional information here: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/octconsultations Best Regards, Angela Wibawa Director APAC, Government and IGO Engagement Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mobile: +65 9661 6009

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Invitation: WSIS+20 Webinar Session #4 on 28 August 14 UTC
by Amrita Choudhury Aug. 25, 2025

Aug. 25, 2025

Hi All, The IGF MAG Working Group Strategy invites you to the WSIS+20 Webinar Session #4 on 28 August 14 UTC Webinar Link: *https://intgovforum.zoom.us/j/97951658840 <https://intgovforum.zoom.us/j/97951658840>* The fourth webinar in the WSIS+20 series is dedicated to a structured debate around the Elements Paper, offering a space for key stakeholders to present their positions, share reflections, and engage in dialogue on the future of the WSIS process and the IGF. Each invited speaker will briefly present their position or non-paper, focusing on points of alignment or divergence with the Elements Paper. The co-moderators for this session are Desiree Miloshevic and Amrita Choudhury. Agenda: - Introduction by the co-moderators (3 min) - First round (5 x 6 mins = 30 min) – Each speaker will present their position paper, reflecting on alignment/divergence with the Elements Paper. They will respond to the following question: - Could you briefly outline the main messages of your position paper and how they relate to the Elements Paper? What are the main areas of alignment or divergence you would like to emphasize - Second round (5x3 min=15 min): each speaker will respond to the following question: - Imagine the IGF receives the mandate you envision. What would you like it to look like and deliver by 2030? - Q&A (40 min) – Moderated exchange among speakers and collecting questions from the audience. List of Speakers and the Non-Paper Documents they will Present are: 1. Paloma Lara Castro, Derechos Digitales & Shahank Mohan,CCG on the Global Network Initiative: The Road to WSIS+20: Key Country Perspectives in the Twenty Year review of the WSIS <https://www.gp-digital.org/publication/the-road-to-wsis20-key-country-persp…> 2. Theresa Swineheart, ICANN The IGF We Want <https://lists.icann.org/hyperkitty/list/wsis20@icann.org/message/JESN25QUZN…> 3. Jutta Croll Dynamic Coalition DCCG’s input to the WSIS Elements Paper <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/I…> : 4. Bea Guevarra and Socheata Sokhachan, NetMission APAC Youth : NetMission Submission to the WSIS+20 Elements Paper <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V1Ig-lnwGGjzcnNz38UTypOgpJlwwv_0/view> 5. Chafic Chaya, Lebanon IGF https://igflebanon.org/documents/dl/8e3b17d52195e97732b54e89d9aff995 Also sharing the recordings of the Past three webinars: Webinar 1: *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT7LBrO7jxE <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT7LBrO7jxE>* Webinar 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcgvbYiWbt4 Webinar 3: https://youtu.be/4eAgGbMm6IQ Regards On behalf of the co-convenors of WG Strategy, Amrita

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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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Invitation to First Webinar on Elements Paper Input 7 August 13 UTC
by Bruna Martins dos Santos Aug. 7, 2025

Aug. 7, 2025

Dear all, The IGF Working Group Strategy invites you to the first webinar of a series of four webinars on August 7th, @ 13 UTC, online. The first webinar will discuss the perspectives of the UK Government, Internet Society and the Global Digital Rights Coalition for WSIS' joint submission to the WSIS twenty-year review process. Craig Stanley-Adamson, Israel Rosas and Ellie MacDonald will be the speakers in this informal conversation. *First Webinar on Elements Paper Input * *Date:* 07/08 *Hour: *13h00 UTC *Link to join the meeting:* https://intgovforum.zoom.us/j/97405634705 Looking forward to seeing you all there! best, -- *Bruna Martins dos Santos * German Chancellor Fellow 21' (Bundeskanzler-Stipendiatin) | Alexander von Humboldt Foundation <https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/> MAG Member 2022, 2023 and 2024 Member | Coalizão Direitos na Rede <https://direitosnarede.org.br/> Co-Coordinator | Internet Governance Caucus <https://igcaucus.org/> Twitter: @boomartins <https://twitter.com/boomartins> // Skype: bruna.martinsantos Email: bruna.mrtns(a)gmail.com

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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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Elements Paper Submissions now Available for Viewing
by Amrita Choudhury Aug. 5, 2025

Aug. 5, 2025

Hi All, The submissions made in response to the Elements Paper has now been published and listed here: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/writteninputs Regards Amrita

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