WSIS Forum 2023

World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2023

WSIS Action Lines for building back better and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.

The annual World Summit on the Information Society Forum is a global multistakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing sustainable development, organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line co-/facilitators and other UN organizations. 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.

The WSIS Forum 2023 was held from 13–17 March 2023 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) in Geneva, with the support of remote participation. Virtual sessions continued in April & May. The theme of the WSIS Forum 2023 was WSIS Action Lines for building back better and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.

WSIS Action Line Facilitators



WSIS Forum 2023 Chairperson


WSIS Forum 2023 Chairperson

H.E. Dr Emilija Stojmenova Duh
Minister of Digital Transformation
Republic of Slovenia

Win & Share


Healthy Ageing Innovation Prize

The WSIS Healthy Ageing Innovation Prize focusses on ICTs that specifically address the needs of people 60+ to achieve and sustain an active and engaged life as they age. Interested stakeholders are invited to make submissions starting from 1 October 2022 to 20 January 2023.

Learn more »

Photo Contest

Building a collage of ICT for Sustainable Development photographs from around the world demonstrating how ICTs are playing an enabling role in achieving the SDGs. The three winning entries from the WSIS Photo Contest will be awarded and presented at the WSIS Forum 2023.

Learn more »

WSIS Prizes 2023

From 7 September 2022 to 7 December 2022, all WSIS stakeholders are invited to submit related projects to the WSIS Prize contest. The contest was developed as a mechanism to evaluate projects and activities that leverage the power of ICTs to advance sustainable development.

Learn more »

Hackathon — Digital GovHack

The DGA and the WSIS Forum 2023, in collaboration with other stakeholders, are organizing a Global Hackathon to reach the larger innovation community in an attempt to contribute to building the GovTech of tomorrow and help ensure a better future for us, in line with the WSIS Action Lines and the SDGs

Learn more »

Digital Service Design Prize 2023

Announced at the WSIS Forum 2022, the Prize will highlight digital service design that address citizens/residents needs through improving, innovating, or developing government processes; and are designed for scalability, extensibility, and adaptability to a variety of generic workflows.

Learn more »

WSIS x Generation Connect Youth Prize

Are you interested in the role of ICTs today and their spectacular potential for the future? Would you like to share your creative talent and ideas on how to address global challenges? This is your chance to showcase your creativity! Deadline: 30 April 2023

Learn more »

Special Initiatives & Special Tracks


Upon request of the WSIS stakeholders, special tracks in various topics will also be organised throughout the WSIS Forum 2023. Please see below special tracks that have been confirmed to date while we await the conclusion of the Open Consultation Process.

ICTs and Gender Mainstreaming

WSIS Special Initiative

Dedicated to the issues of bridging the gender divide, maintaining gender equality, and a 50/50 gender balance Forum through initiatives such as the Repository of Women in Tech and WSIS Gender Trendsetters.

Multistakeholder Alliance on ICTs and Older Persons

WSIS Special Initiative

A WSIS Multistakeholder Alliance on ICTs and Older Persons created across different stakeholders types to foster healthy ageing.

ICTs and Youth

Special Track

WSIS aims to include youth perspectives and engage young people in discussions about how technology can provide opportunities to address some of the world’s most pressing issues and provides a platform where youth can offer their insights and understanding of the information society, its challenges, and opportunities, and where they can raise questions but also propose solutions to harvesting the power of ICTs towards equally distributed social impact.

ICTs and Older Persons

Special Track

The ICTs and Older Persons track addresses the role of technology in achieving healthier ageing, but also how technology can help us build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.

ICTs and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Specific Needs

Special Track

The ICTs and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Specific Needs track aims to inform and observe how ICTs can help people living with disabilities whilst focusing on progressing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals..

ICTs and Indigenous Peoples and Cultures

Special Track

There are over 476 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the world, accounting for 6.2 per cent of the global population. Indigenous peoples are the holders of a vast diversity of unique cultures, traditions, languages and knowledge systems. They have a special relationship with their lands and hold diverse concepts of development based on their own world-views and priorities.

ICTs for Developing Countries (and LDCs)

Special Track

This new special track aims to highlight good practices in the implementation of ICTs within developing and least developed countries, while identifying solutions and opportunities to advance progression towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Cybersecurity

Special Track

As ICT usage becomes increasingly ubiquitous, cybersecurity remains crucial to ensuring universal, secure, and equitable access to the internet. This special track will encompass sessions aligning with the WSIS Action Line C5: Building Confidence and Security in the Use of ICTs.

ICTs and Emerging Technologies for Industry 4.0

Special Track

Emerging technologies are set to have a critical impact in our future. Join us in this special track to explore how frontier technological solutions will address sustainable development challenges and facilitate industry innovation in a rapidly changing world.

ICTs for Well-being and Happiness

Special Track

Over the past few decades, ICTs have transformed substantially many aspects of our daily lives. How can we evaluate the pervasive effects of ICTs on individuals’ well-being, and shape ICT research and innovation activities towards valuable trajectories? This special track will explore the value of digital technologies in supporting healthy lifestyles across all demographics.

ICTs and Sports

Special Track

Sport is a one of the most powerful platforms for advancing inclusion and social equality. This new special track will explore how sport can be harnessed to drive sustainable development and peace, and the ways innovative technologies can advance the world of sport for development.

Sponsor

Moving towards 2025, the WSIS Forum will build upon the outcomes of the WSIS+10 Review and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Explore the benefits of becoming a partner and available packages.