WSIS & GDC
Key facts
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
Discussions
Forum to discuss digital policy issues
Multistakeholder
Formal role for non-governmental stakeholders
Partly open - there are medium barriers that make it harder for civil society to meaningfully participate
- The original WSIS, held in two Summits in 2003 (Geneva) and 2005 (Tunis), laid out a vision for a people-centered, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society.
- The Geneva Plan of Action sets out Action Lines (activities) to achieve this vision.
- The Tunis Agenda, establishes mechanisms for the follow-up and implementation of the Summit outcomes, including the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
- WSIS+20 marks the 20-year review of the WSIS. It assesses the progress of the WSIS outcomes, including governance mechanisms, like the IGF, and whether the Action Lines have helped deliver development.
- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is overseeing the review, with key contributions from the ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, and CSTD.
Global Digital Compact (GDC)
Discussions
Forum to discuss digital policy issues
Multilateral
Intergovernmental, limited stakeholder participation
Partly open - there are medium barriers that make it harder for civil society to meaningfully participate
- The GDC is a UN-negotiated framework adopted in September 2024 as part of the Pact for the Future, outlining shared principles and commitments for an open, safe, and secure digital future.
- The GDC emerged from the UN Secretary General’s report, Our Common Agenda, which called for improved digital cooperation in a range of digital policy areas.
- It was developed through intergovernmental negotiations and global consultations and is built around five key areas: closing digital divides; expanding inclusive digital economies; ensuring an open, safe and rights-respecting digital space; advancing data governance; and governing AI for humanity.
- It mandates the creation of new digital cooperation mechanisms, including an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and a Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, and a CSTD Working Group on Data Governance.
Related events
Status:
Binding
Process with legally binding outcomes
Norm-setting
Process to discuss or agree on digital policy norms
Discussions
Forum to discuss digital policy issues
Deadline
Opportunity to offer written feedback or participate
Type:
Multistakeholder
Formal role for non-governmental stakeholders
Multilateral
Intergovernmental, limited stakeholder participation
Openness level:
N/A or no information about level of openness
Open - there are no or low barriers that make it easy for civil society to meaningfully participate
Partly open - there are medium barriers that make it harder for civil society to meaningfully participate
Not open - there are high barriers that make it very hard or impossible for civil society to meaningfully participate
WSIS & GDC
4th International Financing for Development Conference
Seville, SPAIN
30
-
03 Jul 2025
WSIS+20 High Level Event
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
07
-
11 Jul 2025
Second global dialogue on AI governance
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
18 Jul 2025
18 Jul 2025
Second global dialogue on AI governance
Release of the Zero Draft
01
-
31 Aug 2025
01
-
31 Aug 2025
Release of the Zero Draft
First global dialogue on AI governance
New York, UNITED STATES
01
-
30 Sep 2025
01
-
30 Sep 2025
First global dialogue on AI governance
[TBD] 82nd session; High Level Review of the GDC
New York, UNITED STATES
01 Sep 2025
01 Sep 2025
[TBD] 82nd session; High Level Review of the GDC
2nd Preparatory Meeting & Stocktaking Session
New York, UNITED STATES
15 Oct 2025
15 Oct 2025
2nd Preparatory Meeting & Stocktaking Session
Consultations with stakeholders
New York, UNITED STATES
15 Oct 2025
15 Oct 2025
Consultations with stakeholders
Informal negotiations
New York, UNITED STATES
15
-
30 Nov 2025
15
-
30 Nov 2025
Informal negotiations
Release of the Draft Outcome Document
01
-
30 Nov 2025
01
-
30 Nov 2025
Release of the Draft Outcome Document
Consultations with Stakeholders and Member States
New York, UNITED STATES
01
-
30 Nov 2025
01
-
30 Nov 2025
Consultations with Stakeholders and Member States
High-level General Assembly meeting on the WSIS+20 review
New York, UNITED STATES
16
-
17 Dec 2025
16
-
17 Dec 2025
High-level General Assembly meeting on the WSIS+20 review
Why it matters
The GDC and WSIS are the two most significant UN efforts to address digital governance. While both take distinct approaches, there is a risk they could overlap or duplicate work in an already complex policy environment.
The WSIS influences international digital policy. Decisions at WSIS+20 Review will determine the future of multistakeholder governance and will impact topics including human rights online, digital inclusion, and Internet governance. They will also determine whether the current 11 Action Lines (agreed at the two original WSIS Summits) are fit for the future and how they need to develop.
If the GDC is well-implemented, it could support progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), help close digital divides, and promote the application of international human rights law in the digital context. Many have raised concerns about its language on human rights and gender integration and a lack of robust multistakeholder input.
Stakeholders are now discussing how the GDC and WSIS should interact, with the CSTD’s 2025 resolution recommending that GDC commitments be integrated into existing structures for the WSIS.
How it works
WSIS+20 Review
- The WSIS+20 review process includes consultations by different UN bodies, reports, and an intergovernmental negotiation process.
- Consultations are expected to take place virtually and on the sidelines of other events, including the UNESCO Conference on Capacity Building on AI and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector, the global IGF 2025 and the WSIS High Level Event.
- The CSTD alongside other bodies plays a key role, collecting input and preparing a progress report and a resolution to shape the review process.
- An outcome report of the WSIS+20 review process will be agreed at UNGA’s 79th session in December 2025 following an intergovernmental negotiation process.
GDC
- The UN Secretary General will publish a map to guide implementation of the GDC principles and objectives as part of his annual report on WSIS outcomes implementation.
- Intergovernmental negotiations around the composition, functions and modalities of new mechanisms established by the GDC have recently concluded.
Original outcome documents for the WSIS and GDC have committed to the inclusion of all stakeholders. However, it is not yet clear how this will be operationalised in WSIS+20 and the GDC implementation process.
How to engage
WSIS+20 Review
- Participate in consultations held as part of the preparatory process (see how it works).
- Check and participate in any national consultations.
- Join the Global Digital Rights Coalition for the WSIS.
- Subscribe to GPD’s WSIS mailing list (wsis20coordination-subscribe@lists.riseup.net or <ellie@gp-digital.org>)
- Subscribe to ICANN’s WSIS mailing list.
GDC
- Monitor the release of the GDC implementation map and engagement opportunities.
- Monitor the AI Panel and Dialogue and CSTD working group on data governance for consultation or engagement opportunities.
Ask GPD for support and advice.
Resources
16 Jun 2025
The Road to WSIS+20: Key Country Perspectives in the Twenty-Year Review of the World Summit on the Information Society
report
19 Jun 2025
Stakeholder Positions on IGF in WSIS+20: Comparative Analysis
report
16 Jun 2025
WSIS+20 Will Decide the IGF’s Fate—Are We Ready?
blog post
29 May 2025
WSIS+20 Five-Point Plan Follow-up: Eight Practical Recommendations
blog post
26 Mar 2025
Five-Point Plan for an Inclusive WSIS+20 Review
blog post
01 Apr 2025
A call to action for an inclusive WSIS+20 Review
blog post
18 Feb 2025
Everything you need to know about the WSIS+20 Review (updated)
blog post
28 Jan 2025
Cross-community statement on WSIS, the IGF and the GDC
blog post
22 Jan 2025
2025: a stress test for the multistakeholder model?
blog post
19 Dec 2024
Advocacy Bytes: WSIS+10 Review
report
12 Dec 2024
Joint statement: CS concerns and priorities for GDC implementation
blog post
19 Jul 2024
Civil society joint brief on the UN Global Digital Compact
blog post
11 Jun 2024
GPD responds to Revision 1 of the GDC
blog post
18 Apr 2024
GPD submission to GDC zero draft
blog post
29 Jun 2023
Food for thought: reactions to the UNSG’s Policy Paper on the GDC
blog post
18 Feb 2025
GPD and ECNL recommendations on new UN AI Initiatives
blog post
30 Sep 2024
The Final Report of HLAB-AI: our analysis and thoughts
blog post