Milestone forum comes before UN General Assembly 20-year review of action on tech and society
Representatives from across the digital-for-development global community will meet to assess progress and establish a joint vision for using tech for the good of all at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025, from 7 to 11 July, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The event, building on two decades of action to shape the digital world, will address global technological challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI), review progress on UN technology-for-development priorities, and explore emerging tech trends.
"For twenty years, WSIS has been uniting the world around a vision of an information society that works for everyone, everywhere," said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. "The WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 sets the stage for strengthening this proven multistakeholder framework for digital development so that humanity can benefit for decades to come."
Assessing 20 years of progress
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2003 and 2005 established the framework and goals of the WSIS process.
The WSIS Forum is an integral part of the process and is the only international mechanism mandated by the UN General Assembly to coordinate global work on the role of digital transformation in development issues. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency for digital technologies, organizes WSIS Forum activities.
The WSIS+20 High Level Event 2025 comes in advance of a formal review by the General Assembly in September that will adopt the vision of WSIS beyond 2025.
At the Geneva event, representatives of governments, industry, the research community, civil society, academia, and international organizations will assess global efforts on tech and society since the formation of the WSIS Forum. Participants will consider the future of WSIS and digital cooperation, as well as reflect on how societies are embracing new technologies.
With 2.6 billion people around the world still offline, the forum also aims to invigorate global action to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity.
Bringing communities together
The WSIS+20 event is set to take place at Geneva's Palexpo exhibition and convention centre alongside ITU's AI for Good Global Summit 2025, bringing together extensive global communities to consider the impact and future of digital technologies.
At the event, the annual WSIS Prizes Contest will recognize projects that harness the power of information and communication technologies to advance sustainable development.
The WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 is co-hosted by ITU and the Swiss Confederation, and it is co-organized with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Trade (UNCTAD), with the engagement of more than 40 UN partners.
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Resources and background information:
- For more information, please visit the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 website.
- Sign up here to receive media advisories and press releases related to the event.
- For information about the annual WSIS Prizes program, recognizing grassroots efforts on tech and development, please visit this webpage.
Media accreditation:
- A single media accreditation will be accepted for both the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 and the AI for Good Global Summit 2025. Please review ITU guidelines to ensure that you qualify for media accreditation before submitting your request.
- Journalists can submit a request for media accreditation here. UN-accredited reporters with a valid UN badge can also write to [email protected]
About ITU:
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations. Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities. From artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int
