Hello advisors. Here, for your information, is a brief document contributed by an ICANN colleague who was deeply involved in last year's WSIS+20 discussions. We can certainly be proud of our contributions to this worldwide effort which did, in the end, preserve the internet governance principles that were established 20 years ago.

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From APRALO Bytes, 26-01-26 WSIS+20 outcome

Contributed by by Amrita Choudhury

26 January 2026. WSIS+20: A Step Forward, But Implementation Is Key

The recently adopted high level document on the twenty year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) reflects compromise, but also important progress. From the end user perspective, several outcomes stand out as wins.

The vision of a people centred, inclusive, development oriented information society has been reaffirmed, alongside the principle of multistakeholder cooperation and stronger international collaboration. Most notably, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has been granted a permanent mandate, with sustainable funding for its secretariat. This ensures continuity, enhances intersessional work, support to national and regional initiatives, and broadens participation. A structured government dialogue with multistakeholder engagement represents a pragmatic compromise on state involvement.

Other measures welcomed by end-users include continuation of the WSIS Forum and aligning WSIS action lines with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Closing the digital divide has rightly been identified as the top priority—covering connectivity, affordability, skills, multilingualism, cultural diversity, gender equality, human rights, and enabling policy environments. The emphasis on fair digital development, technology transfer, and environmental sustainability, including energy use and e waste management, is particularly relevant for everyday users.

Human rights commitments have been reinforced, with clear emphasis on protecting rights online, safeguarding against harms, and promoting media freedom, privacy, and freedom of expression. Capacity development, financing, digital skills, and AI expertise are recognised as essential, with ITU and the UN AI Working Group tasked with assessments and programme design.

Yet, the real challenge lies ahead: ensuring implementation is genuinely inclusive, and that end-users—especially in the Global South—have a meaningful voice in shaping the digital future.

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Marita