2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum Side Event: WSIS+20: Building a digital future for all
WSIS Forum co-organisers (ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD)
Session 113
Wednesday, 5 February 2025
15:00–16:00 (UTC+01:00)
Virtual (remote) participation only
WSIS&SDG TalkX
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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that the world will achieve the SDGs only by mustering the full power of science, technology, and innovation. This side event will underscore the critical role of the WSIS Process in fostering digital transformation and highlight the upcoming WSIS+20 review as a key milestone for advancing digital governance and global cooperation. It will showcase how these efforts contribute to an inclusive, sustainable digital future that leaves no one behind.
Panellists

Ms. Nur Sulyna Abdullah
Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Ms. Cynthia Lesufi
Chair of ITU Council Working Group on WSIS&SDG
South Africa

Mr. Jacco-Pepijn Baljet
Senior Policy Officer, Cyber
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Mr. Ian Sheldon
Director, Internet Governance
Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

Ms. Yu Ping Chan
Head, Digital Partnerships and Engagement
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Mr. Torbjörn Fredriksson
Head, E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Ms. Karen McCabe
Senior Director, Technology Policy
IEEE SA

Dr. Carl Gahnberg
Director, Policy Development and Research
Internet Society (ISOC)

Mr. Vladimir Stankovic
Programme Officer
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Moderator
WSIS Action Lines
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C6. Enabling environment
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C11. International and regional cooperation
Sustainable Development Goals
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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development