Stakeholder Positions on WSIS+20 Elements Paper: Comparative Analysis

This comparative analysis maps government and other stakeholder inputs to the Elements Paper for the WSIS twenty-year review process (WSIS+20). It explores areas of potential convergence, divergence and areas needing further development across eleven themes: 1. Action Lines; 2. Access & Inclusion; 3. Human Rights; 4. Private Sector Accountability; 5. AI & Data Governance; 6. Internet Governance & Multistakeholderism; 7. Enhanced Cooperation; 8. IGF Renewal & Strengthening; 9. Development of WSIS Framework; 10. Follow-up & Review; 11. Financing.

It is intended to help identify different actors’ priorities at this early stage, shedding light on which topics are likely to provoke the most discussion to help guide civil society and other actors’ advocacy during negotiations.

The analysis is part of GPD’s ongoing work to map and share developments on the WSIS+20 review process and the broader digital governance ecosystem.

What is the Elements Paper?

The Elements Paper serves as an initial input for the eventual outcome document for WSIS+20 Review, which assesses progress made on WSIS over the last twenty years and considers the future of global digital governance. The Elements Paper was published in July 2025 and guided the content to be included in the Zero Draft, the initial draft of the outcome document of the WSIS+20 Review, published in late August 2025.