WSIS Flash Newsletter Issue 93
16 September 2024
Gearing up towards WSIS+20 Review – A Transformative Milestone for Information and Knowledge Societies

As we approach the much-anticipated WSIS+20 Overall Review by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2025, the global community is preparing for a series of impactful events and initiatives that will shape the future of our digital society. Help us amplify these timely and important opportunities for multistakeholder community by promoting within your networks, using #wsis.
Background decorative image Summit of the Future Side-Event: WSIS in Action: Shaping the Future of Digital Cooperation
Join us for the WSIS/UNGIS Side Event at the Summit of the Future

The Summit of the Future represents a critical moment for world leaders to take bold steps toward achieving "Our Common Future." As part of the Summit’s Action Days, WSIS/UNGIS will organise a side event titled "WSIS in Action: Shaping the Future of Digital Cooperation" on 20 September 2024, 09:00-10:00 ET (UTC -4) / 15:00-16:00 CEST (UTC +2). Co-sponsored by Malaysia, Romania, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, this side event will highlight the WSIS framework, emphasizing international collaboration to advance sustainable digital development. It will serve as a platform for stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches and strengthen global partnerships.

Register now and be part of the discussion.
Register
Background decorative image ITU CWG WSIS&SDG Call for Inputs on the WSIS+20 Review
Submit and Promote: ITU’s Call for Multistakeholder Inputs - WSIS+20 Review

Share your insights and views on the work of the International Telecommunication Union in the WSIS+20 review, including ideas related to the review of the WSIS Action Lines through this online form.

Your input will help assess progress, address challenges, and identify future priorities. Whether you are a policymaker, digital technology enthusiast, industry expert, or community leader, your insights are crucial to shaping the next chapter of the global ICT agenda. Submit your contributions today and play a key role in driving the future of digital development.
Online Form
WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025

WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 will take place from 7 to 11 July 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. This significant event will celebrate 20 years of WSIS and serve as a platform to assess the progress made in achieving the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming calls related to the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, WSIS Stocktaking and WSIS Prizes, and WSIS Fund in Trust.
Background decorative image WSIS+20 Regional Review at Asia-Pacific Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation
WSIS+20 Regional Review at Asia-Pacific Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation

ESCAP, CSTD, and ITU organized a WSIS+20 joint open consultation on 4 September 2024 during a side-event at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Conference on Digital Inclusion and Transformation in Astana, Kazakhstan. This event, titled "WSIS+20: Successes, Failures, and Expectations in the Asia-Pacific Region," aimed to facilitate a robust dialogue among high-level representatives and stakeholders on the implementation of WSIS priorities and outcomes.

The side-event explored the evolution of the vision of a “people-centred, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society” over the past 20 years. It delved into the impact of ongoing trends and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence on progress towards achieving the SDGs and the WSIS vision.

Key speakers in the session included:

  • Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, ESCAP Executive Secretary
  • H.E. Mr. Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Samoa
  • Amb. Prof. Muhammadou M. O. Kah, Chair of the CSTD, The Gambia
  • Ms Cynthia Lesufi, Chair, CWG WSIS&SDG ITU and Minister, Counsellor, South Africa
  • Representatives from ITU, UNCTAD, and WSIS Prize Winner and Champion from Asia-Pacific region
Discussions during this event are expected to contribute valuable insights to the CSTD Secretariat’s synthesis report. This report will play a crucial role in shaping the substantive discussion at the CSTD on the WSIS+20 Review, as requested by ECOSOC.
The second edition of the SDG Digital GameChangers Award has garnered remarkable global interest, receiving 1,184 submissions from 120 countries, with 40% of the entries coming from the youth category. This award recognises innovative digital solutions that accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The 20 finalists across the five categories have been published online, showcasing some of the most impactful projects. The Winners will be announced during the award ceremony on 20 September during SDG Digital.
Background decorative image SDG Digital GameChangers Award
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