WSIS process renewed for next decade following WSIS+20 Review
Date: 2026-01-27
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Process has been reaffirmed and
renewed for the next decade following the successful conclusion of the WSIS+20
Review held in New York, reinforcing global commitment to inclusive and
people-centred digital cooperation.
The
milestone was announced by Cynthia Lesufi, Chair of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council Working Group on WSIS and the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), who noted that the renewed framework confirms the
continued relevance of the WSIS vision, including the Geneva Principles and the
Tunis Agenda.
The
renewed mandate underscores the central role of the ITU in the implementation
of WSIS outcomes through mechanisms such as the WSIS Action Lines, WSIS Forum,
WSIS Stocktaking, WSIS Prizes and system-wide coordination via the United
Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS). It also signals a shift
toward translating dialogue and shared commitments into measurable development
impact.
Ms.
Lesufi attributed the outcome to strong multistakeholder collaboration,
consensus-building across regions and the sustained engagement of ITU Member
States. She acknowledged the contributions of the Working Group’s Vice-Chairs
Renata Santoyo of Brazil, Mina Seonmin Jun of the Republic of Korea, Janet
Umutesi of Rwanda, Susanna Mattsson of Sweden and Ahmed Saleem of Iraq, as well
as ITU leadership, including Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Deputy
Secretary-General Tomas Lamanauskas.
She
also recognized the role of the WSIS Secretariat, led by Gitanjali Sah, and
highlighted South Africa’s contribution to the process, particularly through
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi, who chaired
the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025.
Looking
ahead, Ms. Lesufi expressed confidence in the collective ability of
stakeholders to bridge digital divides, strengthen international cooperation
and ensure that digital technologies support sustainable development. She
reaffirmed her commitment, on behalf of Africa and South Africa, to advancing
the next phase of WSIS implementation.
