WSIS Forum 2018

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2018 represents the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. The annual WSIS Forum is a global multi-stakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing sustainable development. The Forum provides an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation and sharing of best practices, while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving Information and Knowledge Societies.

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WSIS - 15 years of impact
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The WSIS Forum is constantly evolving and strengthening the alignment between the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum will serve as a key platform for discussing the role of ICTs as a means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, with due regard to the global mechanism for follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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Highlights: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5

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WSIS Forum 2018 Playlist

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Outcomes

More than 2500 information and communication technology (ICT) experts and implementation actors contributed to and participated in the recent World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2018 to foster partnerships, showcase innovation, exchange best practices and announce new tools and initiatives to use ICTs to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thousands followed remotely while more than 500 were engaged by intervening remotely. More than 500 high-level representatives of the wider WSIS Stakeholder community graced the Forum with more than 85 ministers and deputies, several ambassadors, CEOs and Civil Society leaders contributing passionately towards the programme of the Forum. More than 250 content rich workshops and open space talks clearly aligned with the WSIS Action Lines and SDGs. More than 30 Exhibition Spaces highlighting innovation and projects from the ground. 18 WSIS Prizes winners and 72 WSIS Prizes champions were acknowledged for their excellent work in implementation of the WSIS Action Lines on the ground.

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WSIS Forum 2019

The next WSIS Forum will be held at ITU, Geneva from 8–12 April 2019. This forum will provide structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation. The Agenda and Programme of the Forum will be built on the basis of the submissions received during the Open Consultation Process. Additional information about the WSIS Forum 2019 will be made available soon.

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ITU Secretary-General:
Houlin Zhao
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ITC Executive Director:
Arancha González
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UNCTAD Secretary General:
Mukhisa Kituyi
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UN Secretary General:
António Guterres
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High-Level Track

Policy Statements were delivered during the High-Level Track (20-21 March 2018) of the WSIS Forum 2018 by high-ranking officials of the WSIS Stakeholder community, representing the Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and International Organizations. The high-level track consisted of the opening segment, interactive policy dialogues, ministerial round table, and a high-level networking programme. Policy statement sessions were moderated by high-level track facilitators and grouped around different themes identified as important by the WSIS Stakeholders during the open consultation process.

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Chairman

H.E Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar,
Deputy Director General, Telecommunication Sector, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, United Arab Emirates

Chairman

High-Level Track Facilitators

Policy sessions were moderated by 14 high-level track facilitators and grouped around different themes identified as important by the WSIS Stakeholders during the open consultation process.

Facilitators

High-Level Participants

Policy Statements were delivered by more than 130 high-ranking officials of the WSIS Stakeholder community representing Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and International Organizations.

Participants

Agenda

The WSIS Forum is the only event of its kind where the programme is completely crowdsourced. The engagement of governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, the technical community and intergovernmental organizations in the preparatory process ensures broad ownership and continual improvements of the Forum. The Agenda and Programme for the Forum is built on the basis of official submissions received during the Open Consultation Process on thematic aspects and innovations on the format of the WSIS Forum 2018.

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Registration

WSIS Forum 2018, was hosted by ITU in Geneva (Switzerland) from 19 to 23 March 2018. Registration is necessary for all WSIS Stakeholders intending to participate in Forum in March.

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Interactive Agenda

The Agenda is now available, built thanks to the engagement WSIS multistakeholder community in the preparatory process. Search in an intuitive way the sessions during the WSIS Forum 2018.

Agenda

Practical information

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Remote participation

WSIS Stocktaking

In support of the WSIS Implementation and Follow-up, all WSIS Stakeholders are invited to update and submit new entries online. Submitted activities are reflected in the WSIS Stocktaking Report 2018, which were released at the WSIS Forum 2018.

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WSIS Prizes 2018

The WSIS Prizes contest, an integral part of the WSIS stocktaking process, serves as a mechanism to evaluate and recognize individuals, governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research institutions and private sector companies for outstanding success in implementing development-oriented strategies that leverage the power of ICTs.

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WSIS Photo Contest

Following the successful first edition, we invite the community to picture how ICTs are playing an enabling role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Participate in building a collage of ICT for Sustainable Development photographs from around the world by promoting the Photo Contest within your networks and communities. The contest has started on 11 September 2017 and ended on 25 February 2018.

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Hackathon

As a continuation of the discussions initiated at the 2016 WSIS Forum, the first ever Hackathon was held successfully in 2017 on e-Health. During WSIS Forum 2018, a Hackathon on ICTs for SDGs focusing on End Hunger was organized. Teams from all over the world have participated in the #WSIS #HackAgainstHunger.

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Virtual Reality for SDGs

Pursuing a first partnership in 2016, WSIS and World VR Forum join forces to be at the forefront of Virtual Reality for advancing development. A shiny new Virtual Reality Track was held at the WSIS Forum 2018 bringing together high-level personalities, world class VR experience and a very special focus on education.

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TEDxGeneva

After a successful debut at WSIS Forum 2016 AND 2017 TEDxGeneva and the WSIS Forum bring you to the crossroads of our fast-changing society--the crossroads of technology acceleration, human tradition, artificial intelligence, and an interconnected world.

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WSIS Innovation track

The vital role of ICTs as a catalyst for development is acknowledged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, stating “the spread of information and communications technology and global interconnectedness has great potential to accelerate human progress, to bridge the digital divide and develop knowledge societies.”

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ICT Solutions for SDGs

Robots, Drones, and Virtual Reality are more than just “cool gadgets and tools” they can be used to contribute added value to humanity. Participate in the ICT Solutions for SDGs special track to learn and engage with individuals and organizations that are using technology to contribute specifically to one or more of the SDGs.

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Youth in ICTs

The role of information and communications technology as a means of implementation of the sustainable development goals and targets enhance the creation of the world where we want to be. New generations have the major responsibility to choose the professional path that will enable the tools and the knowledge to achieve the goals proposed by the UN Agenda.

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Moving towards 2025, and following the multi-stakeholder approach, the WSIS Forum will build upon the outcomes of the WSIS+10 Review and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All WSIS stakeholders are invited to become a partner of the WSIS Forum 2018 and to explore the benefits and available packages.

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