Closing Ceremony and Chair’s WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event Summary
31 May 2024 15:00h - 16:00h
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WSIS Plus 20 Forum concludes with a call for inclusive digital cooperation and alignment with SDGs
The WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 concluded with a series of reflective and forward-looking statements from a diverse array of stakeholders, encapsulating the achievements and aspirations of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) over the past two decades. The event underscored the critical role of WSIS in fostering an inclusive information society and highlighted the need for continued digital cooperation, meaningful connectivity, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ITU Secretary-General Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin provided a compelling narrative of the WSIS journey, characterising it as a tale of contrasts and evolution. She underscored the imperative to bridge the digital divide and ensure that digital technologies are accessible, affordable, and meaningful for all. Emphasising the story of inclusion beyond mere access, she spoke of the importance of skills and participation in the digital sphere in a way that is safe and equitable for all. Ms. Bogdan-Martin called for the WSIS community to renew its commitment to multi-stakeholder digital cooperation and to leverage the WSIS process in the follow-up of the Global Digital Compact.
Participants from various sectors, including government representatives, civil society, and the private sector, acknowledged the achievements of the WSIS process and the value of the multi-stakeholder approach. They discussed the role of digital technologies as critical infrastructure and the need for a holistic approach to digital transformation that empowers socio-economic development and leaves no one behind.
The event highlighted the importance of youth engagement, capacity building, and the active role of small states in the digital landscape. Speakers called for the WSIS principles and action lines to be maintained as a central reference point for global digital discussions and for the WSIS process to be strengthened and leveraged in future international negotiations.
A recurring theme throughout the closing remarks was the need for inclusivity and the recognition of the contributions of various stakeholders. Civil society organisations, such as the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (Congo), praised the inclusive nature of the WSIS process and urged for its continuation beyond 2025. The importance of civil society’s contributions, alongside those of the private sector, was highlighted as a key factor in the success of the WSIS process.
The role of ITU and other UN agencies in the Global Digital Compact was emphasised, particularly in ensuring that small states have their voices heard and play an active role in digital development. The discussion led by Lithuania and Singapore on meaningful connectivity for small states served as a testament to the opportunities and challenges faced by these nations in the digital age.
The inclusivity of the event’s format was also commended, with participants appreciating the open and participatory nature of the discussions. The Institute for Global Negotiation expressed its readiness to support the many negotiations ahead in Geneva and New York, highlighting the importance of inclusive dialogue in international cooperation.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General thanked the partners, sponsors, and participants for their contributions and expressed anticipation for strengthened engagement at the Summit of the Future and the next WSIS Forum. The closing session of the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 was a testament to the enduring relevance of the WSIS process and the collective commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive digital world for present and future generations.
Session transcript
Gitanjali Sah:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are about to begin the closing of the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We’d like you to please take your seats. We are about to begin the closing of the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event. Thank you so much. Dear stakeholders, excellencies, and our WSIS participants, we are drawing the WSIS Plus 20 Forum High-Level Event to a close. What an exciting five days that we’ve had together. And we’d like to invite the Secretary General of ITU, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, to please provide her concluding remarks.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin:
Thank you. Thank you, Gitanjali, and good afternoon, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. I thought I would come to the lectern to advertise my new red T-shirt, so thank you to the WSIS team. More than two decades ago, WSIS set out to carve a path towards an inclusive information society that works for everyone. I think what we have seen over the past week is that we are well on our way, but we have yet to reach our final destination. There are three thoughts I’d like to leave you with as we wrap up the WSIS Plus 20 High Level Event 2024. The first is that the WSIS journey is and always has been a story of contrasts. It’s looking back on and learning from 20 years of digital cooperation as we look ahead to the summit of the future and the WSIS Plus 20 review. It’s countries at different stages of development tackling the same problems, challenges of making digital work for people on the ground, especially the most vulnerable, no matter where they live. It’s the story of closing the persistent digital divide and avoiding the creation of new divides, no matter how fast technology moves, even with the number of people connected having grown 17 fold since 2005. It’s the story of inclusion beyond access, encompassing affordability, skills, and all the elements that make connectivity and participation in the digital sphere meaningful, safe, and equitable for all. WSIS is the story of digital technologies becoming critical infrastructure bolstered by technical standards and of protecting, maintaining, and strengthening that infrastructure while also minimizing its impact on our planet. It’s celebrating the positive. development impact of e-commerce on trade and economic growth while facilitating sometimes tough conversations about what technologies like generative AI might mean for the new world of work. It’s also the story of diversifying the 60% of the Internet currently published in English with concepts like multilingualism strengthened by the WSIS outcomes like the Internet Governance Forum which brings together the international digital policy debate to local communities worldwide. WSIS’s second takeaway is that WSIS, the WSIS story is actually one of evolution and actually adaptation. The outcomes of the high-level week have shown that the multi-stakeholder process has proven value over and over. WSIS has been constant amid constant change, I would say, withstanding the test of time amid major technological shifts. And as we look to envisage the role of the WSIS in this crucial decade and beyond, let’s remember the wisdom that emerged from this week’s ministerial roundtable. To seize the WSIS plus 20 review as an opportunity, an opportunity to look back at our achievements, look around at the global context, and look forward, as our chair mentioned, look forward to making the WSIS process fit for purpose and fit for the future. I want to thank each of you for actively participating in this week’s Many, Many, Many- discussions. I think at Tanjali we had 200 different sessions, so thank you all for participating in those many discussions and for showing your dedication to the success of this time-tested multi-stakeholder process. And my third takeaway, I think the WSIS story is still being written. It’s underpinned by the core UN values at the heart of the WSIS principles and the outcome documents. It’s where we keep holding a mirror up to our own stories as we, the implementers of the WSIS Action Lines, look to improve our own digital capacity and transformation. It’s a story that continues to make history when the WSIS community joined, partnered to connect to celebrate more than US$50 billion mobilized to promote meaningful connectivity in the hardest-to-connect parts of this world. And, as we heard repeatedly over the past five days, the story of the Global Digital Compact must be rooted in the same multi-stakeholder approach that has made the WSIS so successful. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s up to us to write the next chapter. It’s governments, it’s the private sector, it’s academia, it’s civil society, the technical community, international organizations, all holding the pen together. As we approach the summit of the future and the final stages of the WSIS Plus 20 review, I call on this community to renew our commitment to multi-stakeholder digital cooperation that we know works, to continuing to align the WSIS Action Lines with the SDGs, especially by linking linking them to concrete outcomes in health, education, and other areas of sustainable development, and to leverage and strengthen the time tested with this process as a critical vehicle in the follow-up of the Global Digital Compact. Colleagues, let’s finish what we started two decades ago and use it to leave no one behind as we build a more sustainable and inclusive digital world for present and future generations. I look forward to sharing the outcomes of this week’s work as part of our overall input to the UNGA Crisis Plus 20 review, and of course, we look forward to welcoming you all back with your T-shirts next year, from starting the 7th of June to the 13th for the next WSIS Forum. Thank you very much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you, Secretary Gantt. Yes, indeed, it was an exciting week, and thank you for your leadership and your leadership and guidance. As we know that we have over 50 UN agencies and partners working with us, and our co-organizers are also represented here today, joined by Mr. Rob Aup. Would you like to say a few words for the closing, Mr. Aup, please?
Robert Opp:
Thank you so much, Gitanjali, and thank you, Doreen, for the inspirational words, which I fully subscribe to. Just a couple of thoughts from our side. It’s been a great week, and I do think that we can all congratulate ITU and the Secretariat of WSIS, as well as the team working on AI. for good for putting a huge amount of content and opportunity for discussion in a multi-stakeholder format across these two events, bringing us together and cross-fertilizing in a way that enriches this community. So I really want to thank the hard-working people in the ITU team that have pulled this all together. And we couldn’t be more happy to work with our UN partners as well, not just ITU but UNESCO and UNCTAD also as part of the co-organizing part of the UN community behind this. And it really is a pleasure to work on this project together. I think the current events highlight the importance of this community and Doreen mentioned some of these, the Global Digital Compact and the Summit of the Future. I think more importantly for us even it’s also the needs and demand that we see coming from our partner countries around the world. And UNDP which has digital programs in over 120 countries, we receive these signals about what’s important for and on the agenda when it comes to digital transformation at the national level. And it is remarkable in a way that 20 years ago the vision and principles that were set down as part of WSIS actually still hold up very well. And we need to work moving forward as we look at the WSIS plus 20 and we look at how we’re going to structure the next set of action lines. How are we going to build in the massive needs that are still out there in terms of capacity building? How are we thinking about cybersecurity? How are we building sustainability into our approach from an environmental angle? And how is digital transformation empowering social economic development for everyone and leaving no one behind? So we very much look forward to strengthening the process over the next year as we complete as Doreen said the WSIS plus 20 process, continue to work across the multi-stakeholder community that WSIS represents and really trying to focus our attention and the attention of the world on these. These issues which digital transformation truly can deliver strong human development for all, leaving no one behind. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you, UNDP. We have the representative of UNESCO, Mr. Davide Sorti. Davide, over to you.
Davide Sorti:
Thank you, Secretary General, for the great collaboration in the WSIS process together with UNDP, UNCTAD and the World UNGIS, the United Nations Group on Information Society, which UNESCO has now the honour and the burden to chair for the coming year, and which reiterated its commitment to the WSIS process and implementation of the WSIS Action Lines, emphasising the importance of aligning the WSIS and SDG processes. We cannot but agree with Secretary General. As UNESCO Dr. Gerasi said, digital development is about empowering people with the knowledge and tools to thrive in our interconnected world. These guiding principles resonate deeply in the mission of the WSIS and its Action Lines. Twenty years later, the digital divide remains indeed a major concern. We are now increasingly focusing on how to advance towards the societies that we have advocated for. At UNESCO, we actively support the WSIS plan of action through research capacity building, policy support and the multi-stakeholder dialogue. The WSIS remains a strong example of global digital cooperation. Working together with all stakeholders, we collectively make a difference by joining forces in action. Reaffirming its commitment to the upcoming WSIS Plus 20 review, UNESCO will continue to work with ITU, UNDP, UNCTAD and all the WSIS multi-stakeholder community to ensure that global efforts continue to evolve and adapt to a digitally inclusive and sustainable future. Finally, I would like to thank you for your time. I’d like to also thank all of those who made this great WSIS plus 20 event possible. Gitanjali, Ruth, Tara, Vladimir, all the many people that are behind the scenes. And I’d also like to thank you, the WSIS community, for your continued and unwavering commitment to the WSIS process. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you, Davide. Thank you, Davide. I’d like to invite representative of CONTACT, Thomas, over to you, please.
Panelist:
Thank you very much. It has been a real pleasure to be here this week with our co-organizers and all stakeholders for this event. And although this is a closing ceremony, we’re also looking forward to continued discussions on digitalization and development in the run up of the Summit of the Future in September and also in the context of the WSIS plus 20 review process going into 2025. The forum and the review are taking place in the middle of negotiations for the Global Digital Compact, which reflects the call for increased international digital cooperation as we move closer to the deadline of the 2030 agenda. In addition, as you might know, UN Trade and Development access the Secretariat to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which is charged with reviewing the progress made in the implementation and follow up on the WSIS outcomes at the regional and international level. The commission actually met just before the forum in April of this year, and we invite you to visit the outcome documents of that meeting online. It also marks the 60th anniversary of UN Trade and Development, and we’re celebrating this with a global leaders forum that takes place in less than two weeks from 12 to 14 of June. And you will be able to follow this online as well. I would like to invite you to follow the panel dialogue Shaping a Digital Future for People and Planet on the 13th of June, which for which we also will count on the presence of the ITU Secretary General and the Special Envoy on Technology of the Office of the UN Secretary General. As you know, there are different forums that seek to address development impact of digitalization and with 20 years of experience the WSIS takes a very special role in this area. And the current review offers a unique opportunity to draw important lessons for taking impactful digital cooperation beyond 2025. UN trade and development remains committed as well to supporting countries in navigating the evolving digital economy and understanding its implications for inclusive and sustainable development. And in closing, I would like to thank the ITU team for taking the lead in organizing the forum and also join the Secretary General in thanking all of you for the rich contributions and discussions this week. And we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead as well. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you Oktag. We would now like to invite our representative of our chair, Mr. Ambassador Thomas Schneider representing Swiss Confederation to please deliver the closing remarks and the chair’s summary.
Thomas Schneider:
Dear colleagues and friends on behalf of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti representing Switzerland as chair of the WSIS Plus 20 forum high-level event. It is my privilege to welcome you to this closing ceremony. His Excellency would like to let you know that even though he unfortunately cannot be here in person with us today. He was briefed about the extensive and important discussions we all had this week and asked me to pass. the following message on his behalf and those that know me and know how much I hate to wear ties I’m representing my minister so I’m wearing a tie because this is what government officials do so I will take it off later again so just to clarify that question in case so this is it dear secretary general dear deputy secretary general dear ministers deputies excellencies colleagues from all the UN agencies and other institutions ladies and gentlemen we can look back on a very exciting week WSIS forum has brought together over 7 000 participants physically and remotely from 160 countries including 500 high-level representatives including CEOs ministers deputies heads of organizations and ambassadors as we’ve heard we had nearly 200 sessions including high-level plenary sessions interactive sessions knowledge cafes exhibitions WSIS prizes and special prize ceremonies and the ministers roundtable over 100 speakers and experts share their insights on various aspects of the digital landscape we covered a broad spectrum of topics including cyber security and trust artificial intelligence emerging technologies meaningful access to infrastructure as well as content and the digital device the overarching goal of WSIS was to create a path towards an inclusive people-centered and development-oriented information knowledge and digital society although much has changed since then discussions have shown that WSIS outcomes remain highly relevant the WSIS principles and action lines continue to serve as a pertinent framework for discussions on digital policy and governance issues WSIS values and principles have been referenced in many policy documents over the years and they have been further developed in the framework of instruments such as for example just to cite one UNESCO’s Rome principles multi-stakeholder mechanisms emanating from WSIS like the IGF and the WSIS Forum have stood the test of time and they have adapted their focus to reflect the fast evolving digital space and the opportunities and challenges associated with both so-called old and new and even frontier digital technologies. The exchanges of the WSIS plus 20 forum high-level event and at the UN’s first AI governance day organized in conjunction with the AI for good global summit which was held in parallel on that building over there as we know have shown that emerging issues like governance of AI are omnipresent in the discussion in all WSIS processes. It also has become clear and visible that all relevant international organizations mandated with technical standardization already cooperate not only among each other but together with experts in the field of social and economic development, human rights and inclusion so that new technologies like AI are not merely seen as technical issues but technology is part of all digital policies. We have heard broad agreement that these existing structures like the WSIS Forum, AI for good global summit, the IGF and so on should be the basis not only to further implementing the WSIS vision but also that they should be further strengthened and leveraged through the global digital compact and its implementation because all these processes should serve the same shared goal of further developing inclusive people-centered and development-oriented digital information and knowledge societies which enable all people in the world to benefit from new technologies including AI so that no one is left behind. Moving forward they have the legitimacy and the experience needed to continue to serve as inclusive spaces where UN agencies, international and regional organizations governments, private sector, the technical community, civil society come together to address their digital issues in inclusive, informed and impactful ways, learning from each other and drawing inspiration from both multilateral and multi-stakeholder approaches. As mentioned at the beginning of the week, when I, i.e. the minister, was appointed chair of the WSIS plus 20 forum high-level event, the council working group on WSIS and SDGs of the I2 invited the chair to prepare chairman’s summary to complement the outcome documents of this high-level event. So our summary will not replace but be our addition to the much longer documentation that will report in much more detail about all the rich discussions that were held over these five days. So what we did is basically the impossible given and if we had an AI accounting mechanism or summarizing mechanism that we may have next year for instance would have been easier to summarize the 12.745678 million words said this week into a few pages. So what we did was we compiled the comments and tried to make a factual summary which elaborates on the most important points from the chair’s perspective. The summary has now been published on the WSIS plus 20 forum high-level event website for your consideration. So I hope you all took advantage of this unique opportunity offered by WSIS forum to learn from experiences of others, to hear about initiatives, to close the digital divide where others see risk and dangers, what opportunities there are, how this WSIS process should deal with them and how the WSIS processes can contribute to shaping our digital future together in the best possible way. In closing I would like to again express my sincere gratitude to the ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD and all other partners for their invaluable support in organizing this forum. And on a personal note, I really have witnessed a true spirit of cooperation, not competition, but cooperation, not just among the UN agencies, but among all partners, stakeholders present. And I’m deeply convinced that this spirit of cooperation, to work together on the same goals based on a shared vision, based on shared values, is the only way to achieve the goals that we fixed 20 years earlier, that we may also fix in September this year. So I’m looking forward to cooperate with all of you in the future. Thank you very much.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin:
Thank you. Thank you so much, Ambassador Schneider. Thank you for that succinct summary. And as you noted, it’s already available online. And just to say on behalf of the team, we’re very grateful for the leadership of Switzerland in this whole process. Your ongoing and continued support, we really appreciate that. And I must say, you took the tie off already? I was going to say you look good in a tie, but you’ve taken it off already. I do want to also thank my UN colleagues, as you said. I think it’s been a great spirit of collaboration amongst all of us, but in particular, I think we have a great UN team here on the podium and also in the crowd. I think UNGIS is getting stronger and stronger. And really, thank you to UNDP, to UNESCO, UNCTAD and the others in the room. But let me also, ladies and gentlemen, recognize my colleague, Gitanjali, our leader here. She and the WSIS team have have done a tremendous job, including our interns. And we wouldn’t be able to do this. Maybe our interns could stand. We wouldn’t. Thank you so much for your passion, your energy, and your commitment. This really has been a sort of whole of, on the IT side, a whole of ITU, one ITU approach. I recognize my deputy, Thomas Limanowskis, who’s fully committed to the WSIS process. The BDT director, Dr. Cosmos Zabazaba. I think we don’t have Cezanne Maria with us, but of course, the other two directors are equally committed. And we also share the implementation of action lines across the ITU. We have other ITU staff members who are very supportive. I would ask them to also stand. I think most of them are on my left, but they may also be on my right. If you could stand for a moment, I’ll embarrass you. ITU colleagues, Sophie, Adele, Stan, please. Thank you. And we did have this time at the WSIS Forum, our regional director. We haven’t had them with us for the WSIS Forum before. So I think that’s also been very helpful in terms of keeping this cooperative spirit going. So special thanks to them. And with that, I have the great pleasure of presenting a certificate and a medal to the chair of the WSIS Plus 20 high-level event. So it’s Switzerland, the Confederation of Switzerland. Ambassador Schneider will accept it on behalf of his excellency, Mr. Albert Rusty, the Federal Counselor for the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications. Ambassador.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you very much, Secretary General and Ambassador Schneider. It was a great pleasure to work with you and your team, especially Nikola, Hassan, and all of those involved. So thank you so much. for their dedication and commitment towards the business profits. Thank you very much. We would now like to open the floor to comments, interventions, and anything that you’d like to share. I see already Dr. Liberato, President of Congo, with us, please.
Audience:
Excellencies, Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Ambassador Thomas Snyder, collaborators within the U.N. system in the WSIS team, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Liberato Bautista, President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Congo and its more than 600 NGO members congratulate you all and we are honored to be part and partner of you for the last 20 years. At this year’s WSIS, Maria Ressa, the Nobel Peace Laureate and a compatriot of mine, has been quoted several times for her profound insight. Without facts, you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without these three, we have no shared reality, no rule of law, no democracy. I suggest that this quote encapsulates the essence of our discussions and underscores the crucial role of these elements in shaping our digital society. At the WSIS forums, we have witnessed the power of democratic participation. By upholding the values of facts, truth, and trust, we have created here at WSIS a space where all stakeholders can voice their opinions and contribute to every aspect of the forum. This inclusivity extends even to intergovernmental processes fostering a culture of openness and respect. This culture is present. and must be nurtured at WSIS meetings. As in the opening, I also say in this closing ceremony that the WSIS conferences of 2003 and 2005 started and modeled, including the WSIS forums, that of a participatory, consultative, collaborative and innovative relationship between the UN system and civil society organizations must be continued and prospered beyond 2025, certainly into the future. WSIS truly represents what digital global collaboration should be, cementing a multi-stakeholder model unlike any other UN venue or event. Over the past 20 years, the presence of NGOs at WSIS-related meetings has been a smooth process. We didn’t have to fight for it as we do in other venues. With more than 50 UN agencies involved, the WSIS forum has brought them together and allowed them to create a framework collaboration. I must thank Ambassador Snyder for his attentive presence and patient listening to the reports of this year’s high-level track facilitators, ensuring that the widest breadth of discussions among the many stakeholders present here are captured in his report. This is why it is essential to keep the WSIS principles and action lines in front of what we do, because they serve as a central reference point for global digital discussions, including as governments negotiate the pact for the future and the global digital compact. Excellencies, friends, let me end. The world today is in excess of fear and in deficit of hope. We must together work to develop ICTs that are implements. of life, of hope, and of peace. The digital divide will widen unless we reverse this sorry condition. Communications and digital rights and justice play a major role in reversing this surfeit of fear and deficit of hope. At a time of shrinking public space and democratic discourse, the values nurtured through the principles and action lines held high at WSIS will augur well in our common project to build a society and a future that are just, safe, gender-sensitive, equitable, peaceable, prosperous, and sustainable. Congo commits to this task, not the least with you in all this joint enterprise called WSIS, its process, and its review. Thank you very much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you, Mr. Bautista. Mei-Lin, please go ahead.
Audience:
Hello, everyone. My name is Mei-Lin Fung. I’m the co-founder of the People-Centered Internet with Vince Cerf, one of the fathers of the internet. I would like to congratulate WSIS, especially WSIS Plus 20 this year, which is the 50th anniversary of the internet. The internet has made so much possible. Digital transformation would not be possible without the internet. But the real thing that has made able the internet to contribute is people. What I learned from Vince Cerf is that the internet was fueled by friendship. And that’s what I want to give understanding and tribute to WSIS, that over 20 years, friendships have… developed, and this will take us through, thick and thin. It will help us get to the SDGs by 2030, because when people work together, nothing is impossible. Thank you, Gitanjali especially, for your leadership of WSIS, and the ability to bring a WSIS stocktaking repository gathers the data that allows any country to find out how do I move forward? But when we gather the WSIS stocktaking repository and put it with the pledges of partner to connect $50 billion of pledges, suddenly we have a road that any developing country and advanced country can say, even on ChatGPT, how should I proceed? Take a look. We don’t have to wait for somebody to write it all up. Ask. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, Maylin. I’d like to request everybody to be really short, maybe one minute each, because we can see many hands across the room. Christine, how’s it? Over to you.
Audience:
Thank you very much. I will be short. I’m with Ethic Minds Institute. We express gratitude to the ITU for your support for what we deem an essential and very important session on children and youth as stakeholders in the metaverse, ethical implications. We had a very rich discussion. We were grappling with the many issues that we know and agree are on the table and under addressed, such as bullying, harassment, pornographic exposure, becoming prey of predators. self-image problems, isolation, addiction, to name a few. And we also grappled with the emerging metaverse spaces and children very quickly being surrounded by AIs continuing amplifying these, as well as, of course, amplifying all the creativity and enrichment that we focus on in our discussions. But our role in this session was to grapple and grasp the identity of children in these spaces, and especially to look at another concept that we don’t acknowledge or deal with in any of our spaces very diligently. And that is the fact that children and youth transact economically, contribute to the economy and the future choices of tech companies. They create, they play, they make choices about where to go and what to do in these virtual spaces. And so our workshop reached quite a consensus that this identity of stakeholders needs to be processed and we need to, in an urgent manner, convene. And one recommendation that emerged was a focus group on children as stakeholders in standard settings for emerging tech, or even a new action line.
Gitanjali Sah:
Christelle, I think your summary will be uploaded online so everybody can read it there. Thank you so much for this great workshop that you had and this collaboration that we have had with you, Christelle. We’d like to move on to APC, Association for Progressive Communication. Anirudh, was it?
Audience:
Thank you very much, Gitanjali. I think my colleague, Carlos Baca, is in the room. Carlos, are you here? If he’s not here, then… I will just briefly, so on behalf of Association for Progressive Communications, we are an international network with more than a hundred members around the world. And we’ve been part of the WSIS from the outset. I want to thank really very warmly, Her Excellency Doreen, Ambassador Schneider and the UN agencies. And Gitanjali, you are a miraculous worker and the way in which you work with your team, it’s just a pleasure to watch. But to thank you all, I think this has been a very significant forum. And I think both for those of us like APC, who’s been part of the process from the outset, as well as the many newcomers who are coming here with new ideas and new energy and new needs. I want to congratulate this revived dynamic UNGASS and I look forward to much more collaboration of that UNGASS. I think leadership and coordination from within the UN system is vital for all of us. We cannot have effective multi-stakeholder collaboration in this space without your leadership, without your facilitation. So thank you very much for the opportunity and we look forward to being with you for the next 30 years.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, Anne-Marie. I have Ambassador Andras from the GD Universities Hub.
Audience:
Thank you very much. First of all, thank you for ITU and WSIS for the truly multi-stakeholder approach. And let me focus on one stakeholder group, the local and regional governments. Let me also thank Deputy Director Bilal Jemmoussi, who met on behalf of ITU with the mayors who participated this year’s session. And thank you Gitanjali and your team for the wonderful organization. The Smart City Leaders Talk, the Global Cities Hub had the pleasure to organize and discuss the issue of people-centered and sustainable smart city. development and provided a great example of an inclusive dialogue between international organizations and local governments on this crucial topic. The speakers agreed that one of the main tasks of leaders like you is to be able to promote the smartness of a community, use the opportunities offered by digital technology and mitigate the associated risks all at the same time. The mindful matching of technology and citizens’ real needs is the only successful and sustainable way forward. We know that too many citizens remain digitally excluded, so the principles of exclusivity, equity and accessibility should serve as the right starting points for building people-centered smart cities. International discussions like races or AI at next door are the right places. Yes, to closing, I’d like to say that we need to establish an international framework for local and national governments to work more closely together to ensure that local digital government infrastructure is in place and contributes to sustainable development. It would open a new chapter in the basis story, as Secretary General said, after 20 years and I think it would contribute to localizing SDGs successfully. Thank you very much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, Arash. Do we have any other hands up that we may have missed? Yes, please go ahead.
Audience:
Okay, my name is Nazar Nicholas from Tanzania and I’m very glad to be the WSIS winner this year. And if anybody was ever in doubt that what WISC plus 20 is meant, is that WISC plus 20 years is real. And it is recognizing efforts that are happening on the ground. For example, I have been engaged in efforts to connect the unconnected for the last 10, 15 years. But with these little efforts to help young people train on digital skills, young girls to engage in STEM, and also to train other people and everybody to be able to know what the internet is, only these efforts have been recognized by WISC. And I thank you so much, because you are helping those of us who are doing wonderful things on the grassroots to be recognized. I have never been recognized for anything. So this is for those who are actually doing wonderful things on the ground, but are not currently being recognized by anybody, but WISC is doing it. Thank you so much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you very much, Mrs. Gijentali.
Audience:
My name is Riyad Bansia. I’m not talking on behalf of Congo, because I’m not anymore in Congo. And I appreciate when everybody underlines on the contribution of civil society and NGOs. And we’ll see how much it has been determinated in WISC’s process since 20 years ago. Hopefully, nobody raised that civil society is competing with the private sector. Because what I want to share right now is what we did also with some scientific organizations who are also part of the WISC. civil society last December and two governments such as one international organization which is sitting in a panel which the support of the chairperson of the UN General Assembly was present with us will enter the international decade for sciences to for development sustainable development and ITU is not yet engaged but this is a new framework for the future with this process of course everybody is welcome such as government international organizations and scientific organizations thank you very much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you very much Mr. Salar Sena.
Audience:
Thank you to Tanjali excellencies colleagues so again wonderful work it was an amazing summit very proud to participate since eight years the reality the notion of reality has never been as much challenge as today and intersecting with spatial computing I think that the challenges are big opportunities are big so the relevance of this summit is so important and I also love the fact that you’ve been putting it together with AI for good and see so many people coming I was nine years old when there was telecom 995 I’m from Geneva it’s with great pride to see so many people I think we’re ready to host even more people now we engage myself personally my community the whole world excellent community to join and further support you we love it amazing thank you so much everyone and all the team.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you very much Salar for bringing innovation to the WSIS forum every year. Dr. Mercedes head of regulatory from Uruguay. Ladies and gentlemen
Audience:
thank you very much as we come to the close of this extraordinary event I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the ITU and the entire team for organizing such as an insightful and impactful gathering. This event has provided us with a unique opportunity to engage various stakeholders within the ecosystem learn from diverse experiences and witness the latest advancements in AI. These discussions and presentations have been enlightening, showing cases not only the tremendous potential of AI, but also the significant challenges we face as we move forward. It is evident that our path ahead demands collective effort. We must work together to universalize education, place people at the center of our initiatives, and uphold human rights while fostering innovation. These are not just lofty goals, but essential pillars for a sustainable and inclusive future. Thank you once again to the ITU and to everyone involved in making this event a success. Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and drive positive change for a better world. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, Ma’am, for being with us this year and previous years as well. Thank you for your commitment. Do we see any guests? James from Huawei. Huawei is also a partner of the WSIS Forum. Over to you, James. Thank you.
Audience:
Thank you. At the closing ceremony, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to those who made this event possible. A special thank you to you, Mr. Gitanjali, for your coordination and organization. Your efforts have made this year’s summit more diverse, informed, and more inclusive in the content. I would like to express my gratitude to the WSIS team, Taylor, Ruth, Vladimir, and Zhu Chen, for their meticulous preparation. They successfully organized over 200 different sessions. A big thanks to the WSIS interim team. Their guidance for every speaker ensures the smooth progress of our summit, helping us navigate through the extensive agenda with ease. On behalf of Huawei as a private sector, it is an honor to be a partner of WSIS for the fourth year. We are honored to share our experience in capacity building, universal connection, and building confidence in ICT infrastructure. We are looking forward to contribute to WSIS in the future and to build a stable infrastructure. people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented information and knowledge societies, ensures that no one is left behind. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, Huawei. We would now like to invite the Ambassador of Lithuania, sir, to please take the floor. Excellency.
Audience:
Thank you. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I first want to thank the Secretary-General, Ambassador Schneider, for an excellent and impressive forum, and also thank all the participants, all the fellow participants of this, who made this happen. I would like to address you and then to share our experience about a discussion that we have with small states toward meaningful connectivity, which was led by Lithuania and Singapore. And this, in the true spirit of this event, brought together many countries from different regions and allowed us to share lessons learned and future perspectives, and probably key takeaways of this event were that small states have many opportunities which would serve as key drivers to achieve meaningful connectivity and contribute to achieving SDGs. The digital transformation is not just about digital. We need a holistic approach. Business processes, including business action lines and business forum, have proven to be a tested platform for advancing digital development and digital transformation for small states, from practice sharing to finding and promoting innovative solutions and collaboration partners. And the ITU and Global Digital Compact should safeguard this direction and ensure small states are heard and have their role to play in the future, ensuring that digital continues to boost our development and development for all. I thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you, excellency. Before we close, I’m just checking if there are any hands on the floor. Sir, please.
Audience:
Thank you, Madam Chair. Jérôme Bellion-Jordan, Institute for Global Negotiation. plan to take the floor but I just wanted to mark appreciation for the format of this discussion. I think all too often we have formats when we say we are going to be inclusive but not necessarily very inclusive and I think the format of this discussion and we see this exemplary in the way you have for instance allowed for speakers to take the floor at the closing in the way there was no pre-registration no pre-established list of speakers so I think I just wanted to mark appreciation for that and to reiterate that on our side as an institute for global negotiation we stand ready obviously to support the many negotiations ahead here in Geneva and in New York so congratulations to the ITU to the chair and it’s very inclusive format of the deliberation
Gitanjali Sah:
thank you thank you thank you thank you sir for your participation and thank you to okay we have Japan and if you could please be very brief and take the floor
Audience:
thank you very much and congratulations on this five days big event thank you for hosting this government and ITU this great event and I’d like to say it is important that the activity of Geneva UN agencies which is steam that should be known to the people in discussion in GDC and including this kind of activities should be included in GDC in order to avoid duplication between activities and I we believe that the role of ITU is very important in the GDC especially in the connectivity section and and this AI for Good event also important in the CDC Section 5. So anyway, thank you very much for this successful event. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you, and thank Japan for your partnership. We will now… Okay, so we have Anthony Wong, President of IWIB. Very short statement, please, sir.
Audience:
Thank you for the invitation to WSIS 2024 this year and supporting partner. I’d like to congratulate WSIS for a great event of the last couple of days. And also our involvement with UNESCO over a number of sessions, including AI for Judiciary, which is a very important topic and another topic on human rights with AI and on cyber security. So we also looked at the WSIS process for the next 20 years with UNESCO on e-science and open standards. So thank you for the opportunity and our contribution from IWIB to WSIS. Thank you.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you to IWIB for being such a close partner for so many years. We really appreciate the kind words that you have all expressed for the WSIS team, for myself. And I’d also like to acknowledge the guidance that we’ve all received from Ms. Suleyman Abdullah, our chief. So thank you so much, Suleyman, for your guidance and for being there for us always. So Secretary General says there’s one more hand at the back. Yes, please go ahead. Please go ahead, sir.
Audience:
Thank you so much. My name is Anand. I’m from Nepal. And this is the first time I’m attending WSIS process. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I have a couple of queries and comments that could be made. We are 20 years past WSIS process and there are two platforms given to us. One is IGF and another is WSIS, which actually advocates for the multi-stakeholder participation in digital cooperation. As a young person attending WSIS, on course was a bit difficult. And is there any kind of thing that WSIS could support young stakeholder to be part of this process in the future? Because it is very important. And another thing is what are the common ways that WSIS and IGF could take forward? Because these are the two things that are very excellent. And we are just before the GDC, how do we contribute the multi-stakeholder process in the GDC is very important. And there are existing 170 plus national and regional initiative within the IGF framework. And when we work in the national level, we barely find the cooperation with UN agencies. They don’t know about the multi-stakeholder process and all kinds of thing. There is already UNDP, there is UNESCO, there are many UN agencies, but they don’t recognize what multi-stakeholder process is in the national level. So how can this cooperation be done? That is one of my question. And another thing is how this WSIS process can help young people to have their voices in the summit of the future. We are very near to that. The document recognizes that, but there’s no consideration how young people like me can be part of that. Thank you so much.
Gitanjali Sah:
Thank you. Thank you so much for being here with us and thank you for traveling all the way from Nepal. We did help facilitate your travel. So thank you so much for being here with us. And we have taken your comments into consideration. This is a start. several young people in leadership roles at the high-level event. We had the board member from our secretary general’s youth board facilitating one of the leader’s talks. So we did have participation from young people. And we’ve taken your points into consideration. And we’ll be in touch to explore this further. Thank you very much. I would like to hand over the floor to our secretary general to please make her closing remarks and close this meeting.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin:
Thank you. Thank you so much, Gitanjali. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for those interventions and for the encouragement and the commitment, I would say, to continue. We take good note, as Gitanjali mentioned, of some of the suggestions. We can always improve. And our efforts are to be as multi-stakeholder as possible and, of course, as inclusive as we can be. As we close out, and we’ll close out the AI for Good in some moments, I do want to also thank our incredible partners and sponsors in front of me. I have our friends and longstanding partners from the United Arab Emirates. Thank you very much. Saudi Arabia, the DCO, Japan, Huawei, IEEE, Aurora, the UK, the EU, ICANN, ISAC, Wallonia, Brussels, GLOA, and IFIP. And I hope I didn’t forget anyone. But as you can see, there are many partners, many sponsors that make this possible. And of course, all of you, your active participation really makes it so meaningful and helps us to advance commitments. So with that. I thank you again. We look forward to strengthened engagement as we move forward to the Summit of the Future and next year’s WSIS Forum. Thank you very much.
Speakers
A
Audience
Speech speed
146 words per minute
Speech length
3618 words
Speech time
1484 secs
Arguments
Civil society contributes significantly to WISC processes
Supporting facts:
- Civil society has been a determining factor in WISC for over 20 years
Topics: WISC, Civil Society, NGOs
Civil society is not competing with the private sector
Topics: Civil Society, Private Sector
A new framework involving ITU for sustainable development initiated
Supporting facts:
- Collaboration in December with scientific organizations and two governments
- Supported by chairperson of the UN General Assembly
Topics: ITU, Sustainable Development
Appreciation for the impressive forum and the contributions of participants
Supporting facts:
- Thanking the Secretary-General and Ambassador Schneider
- Acknowledgement of participant contributions
Topics: International Forums, Collaboration
Emphasis on the necessity for meaningful connectivity for small states
Supporting facts:
- Discussion led by Lithuania and Singapore
- Convening of many countries from different regions
Topics: Digital Connectivity, Small States
Highlighting the opportunities for small states to drive digital development
Supporting facts:
- Small states can be key drivers for achieving meaningful connectivity
- Contribution of small states to achieving SDGs
Topics: Digital Transformation, Opportunities for Small States
Need for a holistic approach to digital transformation
Supporting facts:
- Digital transformation is not just digital but requires business processes
- Sharing practices and promoting innovative solutions are important
Topics: Digital Transformation, Holistic Approach
The impact of ITU and Global Digital Compact on safeguarding the interests of small states
Supporting facts:
- ITU and Global Digital Compact’s role in ensuring small states are heard
- Ensuring digital boosts development for all
Topics: ITU, Global Digital Compact, Small States
Appreciation for the inclusive format of discussion
Supporting facts:
- No pre-registration or pre-established list of speakers was required
- Speakers were allowed to take the floor at the closing
Topics: Inclusivity, Discussion Formats, Participation
Report
Civil society’s involvement in the World Internet Services Conference (WISC) has been pivotal, showcasing its key role in influencing WISC outcomes over the last 20 years. Civil society is acknowledged positively for its substantial contributions to WISC processes, and its collaborative, rather than competitive, relationship with the private sector is highlighted, contributing to comprehensive digital developments.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has taken significant strides in sustainable development by introducing a novel framework, marking a committed effort towards incorporating sustainable practices. This collaborative endeavour involved scientific organisations and governments and received endorsement from the chairperson of the United Nations General Assembly, reflecting alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, focused on innovation and resilient infrastructure, and SDG 17, which underlines the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals.
International forums have been commended for their inclusivity and the extensive range of contributors they attract globally. These forums have been essential in highlighting the critical necessity of enhancing digital connectivity for small states. Led by initiatives from Lithuania and Singapore, these discussions have emphasised the importance of meaningful digital engagement for countries of smaller economic scales, in keeping with SDG 9.
Smaller states are endorsed not only to partake in the digital revolution but are also recognised as potential pioneers in steering innovation and advancing various SDGs, notably SDG 9 and SDG 11, which encompasses sustainable cities and communities. The prevailing endorsement suggests that digital transformation encompasses technological progress alongside the refinement of business processes and the sharing of innovative solutions.
The ITU and Global Digital Compact are acknowledged for their fundamental advocacy role in ensuring small states’ needs and interests are included in the digital advancement conversation. This is vital for affirming that digital development progress is equitably distributed among all sizes of communities.
Advocacy for small states within digital development discussions underscores the significance of inclusive participation, broadening the canvas of dialogue to include a wide array of economic and geographic perspectives. Inclusivity extends beyond geographic considerations to the methodology adopted within forum discussions and international negotiations.
Formats that eschew prescriptive pre-registration processes enable a richer tapestry of voices to emerge, particularly during decisive phases of forums, reflecting a move towards democratised participation in shaping the digital landscape. Support for inclusive dialogues is both verbal and operational, with organisations like the Institute for Global Negotiation extending their facilitation expertise in major cities such as Geneva and New York, demonstrating a global commitment to fostering diverse perspectives in policy and strategic development.
In summary, the collective themes of civil society’s influence, sustainable development, the active role of small states in digital transformation, and advocacy for inclusive international dialogues resonate strongly in the discourse on the digital future. The universal sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive, supporting progressive digital policies that champion collaborative, inclusive, and innovative methodologies.
This support bodes well for the progression towards a widely connected digital future and the ambitious aims of the Sustainable Development Goals.
DS
Davide Sorti
Speech speed
142 words per minute
Speech length
301 words
Speech time
127 secs
Report
In a detailed analysis, the Secretary-General highlighted the progress made in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process, advanced through collaboration with key organisations such as UNDP, UNCTAD, and especially the World UNGIS. UNESCO, which has been appointed as the chair of UNGIS, has actively aligned WSIS-related activities with the Sustainable Development Goals to maximise global impact.
Dr. Gerasi of UNESCO emphasised the importance of digital development in empowering individuals by providing them with necessary skills for success in our globally connected society. This aligns with WSIS’s original objectives and its Action Lines. Recognising the persisting digital divide twenty years after the establishment of WSIS, there is a push to create more inclusive societies, a vision consistent with the WSIS’s longstanding vision.
UNESCO is advancing the WSIS action plan through research, capacity building, policy development, and encouraging multi-stakeholder discussions. These efforts represent a strong pattern of global digital cooperation, which stands out as a leading example. With the WSIS Plus 20 review on the horizon, UNESCO is committed to working with stakeholders including ITU, UNDP, UNCTAD, and the broader WSIS community, to maintain a dynamic and adaptive approach to realise a digitally inclusive and sustainable future.
Concluding the session, the speaker expressed gratitude to key individuals contributing to the success of the event, namely Gitanjali, Ruth, Tara, Vladimir, and those working behind the scenes. Further appreciation was extended to the wider WSIS community, whose dedication has been crucial to the advancement of WSIS goals, aiming to establish a more equitable digital world.
The expression of gratitude reinforced the value of collective effort and the collaborative spirit that is central to achieving the aspirations of WSIS. This summary maintains UK spelling and grammar throughout while incorporating long-tail keywords such as ‘global digital cooperation’, ‘digitally inclusive societies’, and ‘sustainable development goals alignment’.
DB
Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Speech speed
129 words per minute
Speech length
1639 words
Speech time
764 secs
Report
The WSIS Plus 20 High-Level Event 2024 marked a pivotal moment in reviewing two decades of advancements and the continuous quest to build an inclusive information society. The event revealed a clear distinction between the progress made and the persistent obstacles that hinder universal digital inclusion.
Key points from the event included: 1. **WSIS’s Divergent Narrative** – The event addressed the WSIS’s story of contrasts, pointing out the unequal pace of technology adoption and the ability to utilise digital tools. It shed light on the digital divide and the need to prevent new divides from emerging, despite a significant rise in global connectivity.
Inclusion was defined broadly, encompassing access, affordability, skills, content relevance, and safety in the digital realm. 2. **The Relevance of WSIS** – The importance of WSIS staying relevant in a rapidly evolving technological environment was stressed. Its success as a multi-stakeholder process was praised, and the gathering underscored the platform’s potential as a foundation for ongoing digital progress.
3. **Digital Technology as Essential Infrastructure** – The discussions highlighted the role of digital technology as a fundamental infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity of establishing and upholding robust technical standards. There was a shared interest in maintaining infrastructure resiliency while also reducing environmental impact.
4. **Multilingual Internet** – The dominance of English on the internet was flagged as an inclusivity challenge. A commitment to multilingualism was reinforced, with the WSIS outcomes promoting a diverse and multilingual online landscape. 5. **Aligning WSIS and SDGs** – Participants were encouraged to link WSIS action lines more closely with the Sustainable Development Goals, aiming for tangible benefits, especially in sectors like health and education.
As the discussions concluded, speakers highlighted the WSIS’s ongoing story, grounded in UN principles and championed by the WSIS community. The narrative was described as evolving, propelled by multilateral cooperation and a collective aspiration to avoid leaving anyone behind in the information age.
A call to action was issued to all stakeholders – governments, businesses, academia, civil society, technical groups, and international bodies – to collaboratively shape the next phase of WSIS’s story. This phase is expected to cement the platform’s position in striving for a sustainable and inclusive digital future.
**Key Observations and Insights:** – The event highlighted the effectiveness of the multi-stakeholder approach and its crucial role in the forthcoming Global Digital Compact. – The broad range of discussions, encompassing over 200 individual sessions, illustrated the depth of engagement and the diversity of stakeholder perspectives.
– High-level engagement from international leaders and diplomats, such as Switzerland’s Ambassador Schneider, demonstrated strong support for the WSIS’s goals. – Substantial financial pledges aimed at promoting meaningful connectivity showcased the commitment and scale of effort needed to tackle global digital inequalities.
– Appreciation was shown for the multifaceted collaborations amongst attendees, with special praise for the interns and the UN team for advancing collective progress. – The formal acknowledgement of Switzerland’s role, through the awarding of a certificate and medal, signified the value attributed to leadership and dedication to advancing the WSIS agenda.
The summary concluded by looking ahead to the forthcoming Summit of the Future and the next WSIS Forum, maintaining momentum and inviting increased involvement for achieving universal digital integration.
GS
Gitanjali Sah
Speech speed
139 words per minute
Speech length
931 words
Speech time
402 secs
Arguments
Gitanjali Sah’s organization led to a diverse, informed, and inclusive summit
Supporting facts:
- Gitanjali Sah coordinated the event
- The summit was described as more diverse, informed, and inclusive
Topics: Event Management, Diversity and Inclusion
The WSIS team organized over 200 sessions meticulously
Supporting facts:
- Team members Taylor, Ruth, Vladimir, and Zhu Chen were thanked for preparation
- Over 200 sessions were successfully arranged
Topics: Project Management, Information and Communication Technology
WSIS interim team provided smooth guidance for speakers
Supporting facts:
- WSIS interim team aided every speaker
- Contribution to the smooth progress of the summit
Huawei expresses honor in partnering with WSIS
Supporting facts:
- Huawei partnered with WSIS for the fourth year
- Huawei contributed to capacity building, universal connection, and ICT confidence
Topics: Public-Private Partnerships, Digital Infrastructure
Appreciation for IWIB’s partnership
Supporting facts:
- IWIB has been a close partner for many years
- IWIB’s contributions to various sessions at WSIS, including AI for Judiciary
Topics: WSIS collaboration, UNESCO sessions
Acknowledgment of Suleyman Abdullah’s guidance
Supporting facts:
- Gitanjali Sah expressed thanks to Suleyman Abdullah for his guidance and presence
Topics: WSIS, Leadership
Report
The expanded summary details the collaborative achievements and engagement facets associated with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Central to these accolades is Gitanjali Sah, whose impeccable coordination of the summit led to a diverse, well-informed, and inclusive platform, echoing the objectives of SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and underscoring a dedication to creating spaces of equitable dialogue.
The WSIS team’s project management prowess was evident in the faultless arrangement of over 200 sessions, facilitated by the extensive preparations of team members Taylor, Ruth, Vladimir, and Zhu Chen. Their contributions garnered due recognition and align with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, as well as SDG 4: Quality Education, promoting a dynamic knowledge exchange.
The interim WSIS team received praise for their exceptional support to speakers, contributing to the summit’s seamless progress and aligning with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through their guidance. Strategic partnerships, particularly Huawei’s four-year tenure of collaboration, were highlighted for their impact on capacity building, universal connections, and ICT confidence – key to furthering SDG 9 and SDG 17.
Huawei’s commitment to the ongoing pursuit of inclusive, people-centric information societies cements its alignment with the WSIS mission. The summary emphasises the positive collaborative experiences with the IWIB, especially in enriching UNESCO sessions, like those addressing AI applications in the judiciary, reinforcing SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Individual contributions, such as the guidance and presence of Suleyman Abdullah as noted by Gitanjali Sah, were acknowledged for their value in the success of these international platforms, resonating with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Finally, the unambiguous appreciation for teamwork and leadership within the WSIS encapsulated the positive sentiment pervasive throughout the analysis, signifying effective synergy across diverse groups and leaders, and the critical work performed that aligns with SDGs 16 and 17.
This revised summary utilises appropriate UK spelling and grammar, is free from grammatical irregularities, and accurately reflects the initial analysis, while incorporating targeted long-tail keywords related to the World Summit on the Information Society, event management in global forums, and sustainable development goals.
It encapsulates the significant strides made in fostering a balanced and equitable global information society.
P
Panelist
Speech speed
173 words per minute
Speech length
436 words
Speech time
151 secs
Report
The speaker commences by expressing profound gratitude for the chance to work alongside stakeholders and co-organisers, signalling the conclusion of an event but simultaneously paving the way for continued dialogue concerning the role of digitalisation in development. The talk anticipates two notable forthcoming occasions: the Summit of the Future taking place in September and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) plus 20 review, looking ahead to 2025.
These are aligned with the preparations for the Global Digital Compact, a response to the urgent call for international digital cooperation in the lead-up to the 2030 agenda milestones. Attention is drawn to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and its vital role as the Secretariat to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, tasked with reviewing the performance in realising the WSIS goals on regional and global scales.
The address is particularly significant since it followed the Commission’s meeting in April, and participants are encouraged to engage with the findings of this meeting, which are accessible online. As UNCTAD is in its 60th year, the speaker highlights the upcoming Global Leaders Forum, occurring from June 12 to 14, featuring an open online panel on ‘Shaping a Digital Future for People and Planet’ on June 13.
Esteemed figures, including the ITU Secretary-General and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Technology, are expected to contribute. The speaker asserts WSIS’s unique position, with two decades dedicated to evaluating digitalisation’s development impacts. The ongoing WSIS review is heralded as a critical endeavour, offering a unique opportunity to extract insights for perpetuating effective digital cooperation beyond 2025.
Moreover, the speaker emphasises UNCTAD’s continuing support for nations navigating the evolving digital economy, underlining the aim to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Expressions of thanks are made to the ITU for leading the event and to all participants for their varied and significant contributions throughout the week.
The address closes with a sense of anticipation, recognising the intricate relationship between digitalisation and global development, the necessity of international cooperation, and the resolve of organisations to contribute to significant advancements. The final words exude optimism and a readiness for the active year of global discourse and endeavours that awaits.
RO
Robert Opp
Speech speed
183 words per minute
Speech length
444 words
Speech time
146 secs
Report
The speaker expresses sincere gratitude to Gitanjali and Doreen for their uplifting messages, reaffirming their resonance with the audience. The speaker reflects on a productive week, commending the International Telecommunication Union and the World Summit on the Media Society (WSIS) Secretariat, along with the artificial intelligence team, for facilitating engaging multi-stakeholder discussions.
These sessions were instrumental in building a sense of community and promoting cross-sector dialogue, showcasing the commitment of the ITU team in organizing these events. Collaboration with United Nations counterparts, including UNESCO and UNCTAD, was highlighted, indicating a concerted effort within the UN framework to tackle the challenges of digital transformation.
Gaining special mention were milestones like the Global Digital Compact and the Summit of the Future, both underscoring the community’s crucial part in guiding the digital era. The United Nations Development Programme’s impressive reach was noted, with digital initiatives across more than 120 countries reflecting the global digital priorities and needs.
The foresight of the principles established at the inception of WSIS was recognised for their continued relevance, illustrating a steadfast blueprint for the changing digital environment. The speaker calls for a holistic and inclusive strategy to address the myriad challenges faced in realising global digital transformation.
Emphasis was placed on capacity building, enhancing cybersecurity, integrating sustainability into digital policies, and ensuring that digital advancements promote inclusive and equitable socio-economic progress. The need to refine WSIS action lines as part of the WSIS +20 review process was stressed, aiming to tailor them to contemporary challenges and expectations.
A plea was made for ongoing stakeholder engagement within the WSIS community, channelling collective efforts towards significant digital issues. The address centralizes on the conviction that digital technology plays a pivotal role in global human advancement, with a tenacious pledge to include everyone in this journey.
In conclusion, the speaker reiterated their unwavering commitment to bolstering this endeavour and utilising the WSIS community’s collaborative strength to maximise the opportunities presented by digital transformation for the enrichment of society worldwide.
TS
Thomas Schneider
Speech speed
160 words per minute
Speech length
1110 words
Speech time
415 secs
Report
On behalf of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, we are delighted to welcome attendees to the closing ceremony of the WSIS Plus 20 event. Although Councillor Rösti could not attend, his commitment and contributions resonate through his reflections and directives shared throughout the week.
This year’s WSIS forum has been a significant gathering, bringing together over 7,000 participants from 160 countries, with more than 500 high-level figures, such as CEOs, ministers, and ambassadors, engaging in rich discussions. The forum hosted nearly 200 sessions on crucial technological topics, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the necessity for accessible technological infrastructure.
The week’s dialogues emphasised the enduring value of WSIS outcomes, principles, and action lines as benchmarks for ongoing digital policy and governance discussions. The assimilation of WSIS values into important policy documents, like UNESCO’s Rome Principles, highlighted the forum’s influence.
Key discussions revolved around the governance of emerging technologies, particularly AI. These were not just confined to the WSIS event but were also central at the AI for Good global summit. The consensus underscored the integration of AI into digital policy frameworks, tackling technical, socioeconomic, human rights, and inclusion aspects.
Platforms like the IGF and the WSIS Forum are recognised for their vital roles in progressing the WSIS vision and for fostering collaboration through the Global Digital Compact. These global mechanisms are celebrated for their inclusivity and ability to facilitate dialogue among the UN agencies, international organisations, governments, the private sector, and civil society.
The chair has produced a concise summary, reflecting the wealth of content and discussions, which complements the official documentation and is available on the event’s website. We extend thanks to the ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, and all other contributing partners for the forum’s success.
We are grateful for the cooperation that defined the forum and look forward to future collaborations. The global community is encouraged to uphold shared goals and values in our pursuit of an equitable digital society. With heartfelt thanks for an influential week, the anticipation for future collaborations remains high.
We are committed to advancing together towards our common digital objectives. Thank you once again for your significant contributions.
Related event
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event
27 May 2024 - 31 May 2024
Geneva, Switzerland and online