Open Consultation Process

Shaping the Themes and Format of WSIS Forum 2020


The annual WSIS Forum is a global multi-stakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing sustainable development. The Forum is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line co-/facilitators and other UN organizations (UNDESA, FAO, UNEP, WHO, UN Women, WIPO, WFP, ILO, WMO, ITC, UPU, UNODC, UNICEF,UNIDO, UNITAR, UNHCR and UN Regional Commissions). It 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.

In follow up to the outcomes of the UN General Assembly Overall Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes (Res. A/70/125) and with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Res. A/70/1), the WSIS Forum is constantly evolving and strengthening the alignment between the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The WSIS Forum is the only event of its kind where the programme and agenda are completely crowdsourced. Therefore, as organizers, ITU, UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP, are pleased to announce the Open Consultation Process on thematic aspects and innovations on the format of the WSIS Forum 2020. The process aims at ensuring a participatory and inclusive spirit of the Forum. This process actively engages governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, the technical community and intergovernmental organizations in the preparatory process to ensure broad ownership and further improvements of the Forum. The 2020 WSIS Forum (WSIS+15) will provide an opportunity to serve as a platform to track the achievements of WSIS Action Lines in collaboration with the UN Agencies involved and provide information and analyses of the implementation of WSIS Action Lines since 2005.

The Open Consultation Process for the WSIS Forum 2020 is structured in six phases and will include a collection of inputs from regional and national WSIS related events. The physical meetings of the Open Consultation Process will benefit from remote participation.

Open Consultation Phases

Phase I

Launch of the OCP

4 June 2019

Phase II

1st Physical Meeting

20 June 2019

Phase III

2nd Physical Meeting

27 November 2019

Phase IV

3rd Physical Meeting

7 February 2020

Phase V

Deadline for Submissions

3 February 2020

Phase VI

Final Brief

28 February 2020

Special Briefing

Special Briefing on the Virtual Format and Programme

28 May 2020

Special Briefing on the Virtual Format and Programme

28 May 2020

A Special Briefing to all Stakeholders on the Virtual Format and Programme took place on Thursday 28 May 2020, 14h00 – 15h00.


Phase VI: Final Brief

28 February 2020

The Final Brief Meeting of the open consultations took place on Friday 28 February 2020, 14h00 – 15h30 in Room A at ITU Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Remote participation facilities were made available for this meeting.


Phase IV: 3rd Physical Meeting

7 February 2020

The 3rd Physical Meeting of the open consultations took place on Friday 7 February 2020, 15h30 – 16h30 in Room H at ITU Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Remote participation facilities were made available for this meeting.


Phase III: 2nd Physical Meeting

27 November 2019

The 2nd Physical Meeting of the open consultations took place on Wednesday 27 November 2019, 15h00 – 16h00 at the Estrel Congress Centre, Berlin, Germany during IGF 2019. Remote participation facilities were made available for this meeting.


Phase II: 1st Physical Meeting

20 June 2019

The 1st Physical Meeting of the open consultations took place on Thursday 20 June 2019, 17h00 – 18h00 in Room A at ITU Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland. Remote participation facilities were made available for this meeting.


Phase I: Virtual launch of the open consultations

4 June 2019

The virtual launch of the open consultations took place on Tuesday 4 July 2019, 16:00–17:00 CEST. Stakeholders were invited to participate remotely through the remote participation facilities for this meeting listed below.

Official submissions

Stakeholders are invited to make official submissions to the WSIS Secretariat for the Open Consultation Process. | Deadline: 3 February 2020

  • Share your views the thematic aspects and innovations on the format of the forum
  • Recommend speakers
  • Request thematic workshops
  • Request exhibition stalls
Open Call for High-Level Track Facilitators

Call for Major Stakeholder Coordination Mechanisms following the WSIS Process to Identify and Nominate High-Level Track Facilitators (HLTF) for the WSIS Forum 2020. | Deadline: Deadline: 3 February 2020

Launch of the WSIS Photo Contest 2020

Participate in building a collage of photographs from around the world demonstrating how ICTs are playing an enabling role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Three winning entries will be awarded and presented at the WSIS Forum 2020. | Deadline: 3 February 2020