The Road to WSIS+20: Key Country Perspectives in the Twenty-Year Review of the World Summit on the Information Society

• • Full Report
  • Summary Report
  • Infographic

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in 2003 and 2005, was the first global process to address the growing impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs) on society. At a time when no shared framework for internet governance existed, WSIS brought together heads of state, UN agencies, and stakeholders across sectors to define a common vision for an inclusive, development-oriented information society. Now, twenty years on, the WSIS+20 review offers a chance to evaluate whether the WSIS is still fit for purpose. Emerging technologies, rising security threats, and widening digital divides have changed the global context. Meanwhile, new UN-led initiatives like the Global Digital Compact and Office on Digital and Emerging Technologies are reshaping the governance landscape.

This report aims to support engagement in the WSIS+20 process by providing insight into the positions and priorities of selected governments. The chapters in this report were produced as part of the Shaping the WSIS+20 Review for a Unified Internet Multistakeholderism project coordinated by the Global Network Initiative and Global Partners Digital with support from the inaugural ICANN Grant Program.

This report gives an insight into countries’ positions at a point when areas of cohesion and division are beginning to emerge. Countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the UK, Switzerland and the EU support rights-based, multistakeholder approaches, while others such as India and Saudi Arabia emphasise intergovernmental coordination and development. Russia and China continue to advocate for more state-centric approaches to internet governance. The report also highlights that while there is broad support for strengthening the Internet Governance Forum and aligning WSIS with the Global Digital Compact, questions remain about how reform should unfold. Finding a way to increase the equity of the current system of digital development and governance is a widely shared goal, but approaches differ, risking fragmentation without concrete action to bridge these divides.

This project aims to support global engagement in the WSIS+20 review process. It spans Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ghana, India, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Partners include the Centre for Communications Governance at the National Law University, New Delhi, Data Privacy Brazil, Derechos Digitales, Digitally Right, Fundación Karisma, Media Foundations for West Africa, Paradigm Initiative, and Research ICT Africa. In addition, this report also includes research chapters on China, the European Union (EU), Indonesia, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Russia, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.

As well as the full report, please find links above to a shorter summary and an infographic which give an overview for easy reference.

A collaborative publication.

Edited by Global Partners Digital