The World Summit on the Information Society, or WSIS, is a United Nations process focused on global digital governance and development and establishes an important foundation for the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance.
The original two WSIS high level meetings held in 2003 and 2005 adopted a common vision to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life, premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting fully and upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These high level meetings also agreed action lines, defined stakeholder roles and responsibilities for digital governance and development (including for governments, the United Nations and its specialised agencies, and civil society), and established key policy fora such as the WSIS Forum and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Further information about the WSIS, including the Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action and the Tunis Agenda, can be found on the WSIS website.
The WSIS was last reviewed in 2015, a process known as WSIS+10. This review adopted UN Resolution A/70/125, which committed to a further review in 2025.
WSIS+20
The 20-year review of the WSIS, called WSIS+20, will take place in New York in 2025 between member states under the framework of the United Nations. Preparatory processes are underway across the United Nations system.
The Australian Government is actively participating in the review process. We are leading Australia's engagement in WSIS+20 and its associated preparatory processes, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other relevant agencies.
Further information about the review timetable will be available once agreed by member states.
Getting Involved
In line with Australia's commitment to the multi-stakeholder management and governance of the Internet, Australia's preparations will be undertaken in a multi-stakeholder manner, bringing together perspectives from government, the private sector, technical community, civil society and academia.
To stay across latest developments, be informed of future opportunities or to contribute your views to the process, please join our mailing list.
You are invited to contribute to Australia's preparations by sharing ideas, comments, or feedback at any stage of the review process on our WSIS+20 Have Your Say page.
A working group comprising a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders has been established to develop Australia's positions for WSIS+20 negotiations. Participation in this group is by invitation. To express an interest in joining this group, please complete this form.
Opportunities to participate directly in the United Nations process are still being determined by the UN. Once these opportunities are known, information will be shared via the mailing list.
WSIS Action Lines
The WSIS establishes 11 action lines to implement the common vision agreed in 2003 and 2005. These are:
- The role of public governance authorities and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development.
- Information and communication infrastructure.
- Access to information and knowledge.
- Capacity building.
- Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs.
- Enabling environment.
- ICT Applications
- E-government
- E-business
- E-learning
- E-health
- E-employment
- E-environment
- E-agriculture
- E-science.
- Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content.
- Media.
- Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
- International and regional cooperation.