16 Feb 2026 WSIS+20 Outcomes

United Nations

This document is an AI summary of the draft resolution (16 December 2025) to the United Nations General Assembly addressing the review and implementation of outcomes from the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS+20), focusing on the role of information and communication technologies in sustainable development.

Commitment to Information Society Vision

• Reaffirmation of the World Summit’s vision for a people-centred, inclusive, and development-oriented information society.
• Emphasis on the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation and the sovereign equality of all states in achieving these goals.

Addressing Digital Divides

• Recognition of significant digital divides, with 1/3 of the global population lacking Internet access.
• Gender digital divide: 78% of women use mobile phones compared to 87% of men; 71% of women use the Internet compared to 77% of men.
• Urgent need for international cooperation to close these divides, particularly in developing countries.

Digital Economy and Development

• The digital economy is crucial for global trade and economic development, creating new markets and employment opportunities.
• Emphasis on fostering an open and fair environment for digital development to integrate developing countries into global value chains.

Social and Economic Development through ICT

• ICTs enhance social welfare and inclusion, providing new channels for participation in decision-making.
• Commitment to connecting every school to the Internet by 2030 to improve educational access.

Environmental Impacts of Digitalization

• Digital technologies support environmental sustainability through improved monitoring and resource management.
• Concerns about energy consumption and electronic waste, urging stakeholders to promote sustainable practices.

Enabling Environment for Digital Development

• Importance of a positive enabling environment for investment and innovation in digital development.
• Call for technical assistance to developing countries to build capacity and bridge digital divides.

Building Confidence and Security in ICT

• Emphasis on the need for confidence and security in ICT use to drive innovation and sustainable development.
• Recognition of the rising threats from malicious activities and the need for robust risk mitigation measures.

Commitment to Inclusive Digital Transformation

• Acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and marginalized communities.
• Commitment to ensuring equitable access to digital resources and addressing the needs of underserved populations

Capacity Development for Digital Transformation

• Lack of capacity is a significant barrier to closing digital divides.
• Emphasis on empowering local experts and communities to leverage ICT for development.
• International cooperation and financing are essential for digital capacity development in developing countries.
• Importance of building policy and technical expertise to support innovation and governance challenges.
• Digital skills and lifelong learning opportunities should cater to diverse social, cultural, and linguistic needs.

Financial Mechanisms for ICT Investment

• Significant growth in financial investment in ICT infrastructure since the World Summit.
• Sustained investment is necessary to bridge digital divides and enhance ICT applications.
• Public-private partnerships are crucial for sustainable investment in ICT infrastructure and services.
• Innovative financing mechanisms, such as universal access funds, are vital for extending connectivity.
• Development partners should mainstream ICT in their work and support national e-strategies.

Human Rights in the Digital Age

• Commitment to uphold human rights in the context of digital technologies.
• The same offline rights must be protected online, including freedom of expression and privacy.
• Call for safeguards against human rights violations arising from digital technologies.
• Private sector responsibility to incorporate human rights in technology development and deployment.
• Emphasis on protecting the rights of women, children, and marginalized groups in the digital space.

Data Governance for Development

• Responsible data governance is essential for advancing development and protecting human rights.
• Recognition of approaches to data governance adopted by the General Assembly.
• Establishment of a working group for inclusive dialogue on equitable data governance arrangements.

International Governance of Artificial Intelligence

• Support for international partnerships to build AI capacity and education.
• Focus on increasing access to AI resources and promoting participation of small enterprises.
• Call for mapping existing UN initiatives to identify gaps in AI capacity-building.

Internet Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

• Reaffirmation of the multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance.
• Need for greater participation from developing countries and underrepresented groups.
• Recognition of the Internet as a critical global facility for inclusive digital transformation.
• Commitment to prevent Internet fragmentation and promote international cooperation.

Monitoring and Measurement of ICT Progress

• Importance of data and statistics for evidence-based decision-making in ICT development.
• Call for strengthening international cooperation to close data gaps for development.
• Emphasis on developing indicators and metrics for meaningful connectivity and digital development.

Follow-Up and Review of Summit Outcomes

• Ongoing commitment from all stakeholders is essential for implementing Summit outcomes.
• Need for coherence between World Summit outcomes and the Global Digital Compact.
• Biennial reviews of progress will be crucial for achieving the Summit’s vision.
• High-level meetings planned to assess progress and challenges in digital cooperation.

The outcome document of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society was adopted by consensus on 17 December 2025. The resolution (A/RES/80/173) can be found here in all official United Nations languages.