Side Event Second World Summit for Social Development: WSIS Action Lines for Achieving Global Development Goals


International Telecommunication Union, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Session 553

Wednesday, 5 November 2025 14:45–16:00 (UTC+01:00) Arab Standard Time 16:45–18:00 (UTC+03:00) Physical (on-site) participation only WSIS&SDG TalkX
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The session will take place in Room 10 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), at 16:45-18:00 (UTC/GMT +3)

This side event will highlight the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Process and its implementation through the WSIS Action Lines, which are closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past two decades, the WSIS Process has played a pivotal role in advancing global efforts to harness digital technologies for development and to foster digital cooperation.

In the lead-up to the WSIS+20 Review in 2025, this event offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the impact of the WSIS Process over the past two decades and to showcase scalable, digital solutions to pressing social development challenges. Framed within the WSIS architecture and its multistakeholder approach, the event will explore how digital tools and partnerships are being leveraged to accelerate social progress.

This session will showcase tangible achievements from WSIS Prizes winners, highlighting innovative and impactful projects that exemplify the transformative potential of digital technologies. It will also feature examples of emerging initiatives and collaborations that demonstrate the continued relevance of the WSIS Action Lines in addressing today’s development priorities, as well as opportunities for cross-sector partnerships and policy alignment in support of inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

Objectives:

  • Reflect on the impact of the WSIS Process in advancing digital development and social progress over the past 20 years.
  • Showcase successful digital initiatives from WSIS Prizes winners, demonstrating innovation and practical impact.
  • Explore how WSIS Action Lines continue to support the achievement of global development goals, particularly within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Encourage dialogue and knowledge-sharing on leveraging digital technologies to address pressing social and economic development challenges.
Panellists
Ms. Nur Sulyna Abdullah
Ms. Nur Sulyna Abdullah Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General International Telecommunication Union

H.E. Ms. Suela Janina
H.E. Ms. Suela Janina Ambassador and Permanent Representative, WSIS+20 Co-Facilitator Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations

Ms. Tine Mørch Smith
Ms. Tine Mørch Smith Director General for the Department of Global Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway)

Ms. Francine Pickup
Ms. Francine Pickup Deputy Assistant Administrator and Deputy Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Francine Pickup is UNDP’s Deputy Director in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) beginning 1st June 
2022. Prior to her appointment, Francine was Resident Representative in Serbia, Resident Representative a.i. / country Director in India and Deputy Country Director in Indonesia.

Before that, she worked as the Strategic Planning Advisor in RBAP and led the UN’s Inter-Agency Information and Analysis 
Unit under the Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General in Iraq. Francine joined the UN in 2002, working with OCHA in Lebanon, Palestine and New York, as well as the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) and FAO in Palestine, and ILO in Central Asia. Aside from the UN, she has worked with several development organisations, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and the World Bank. Francine received her undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University, her Masters in Development Studies and PhD on local level responses to new market forces in Russia, both from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has publications on topics including innovative and Islamic financing, aid effectiveness, humanitarian aid policy, economies in transition, livelihoods, the informal economy and gender and development. She is married with three children and loves tennis, running and the outdoors.


Ms. Leona Verdadero
Ms. Leona Verdadero Programme Specialist United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Dr. Rayana Ahmed Bou Hak
Dr. Rayana Ahmed Bou Hak WHO Representative, Qatar World Health Organization

Mr. Hashim Elhaj
Mr. Hashim Elhaj Arab Region and Emergencies and Postal Resilience Coordinator Universal Postal Union

Ms. Karla Robin Hershey
Ms. Karla Robin Hershey United Nations Resident Coordinator Samoa Multi-Country Office, United Nations

Ms. Karla Robin Hershey is the United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Samoa Multi-Country Office, covering Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau. With over 31 years of experience in the UN system, she has served in senior leadership roles across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, focusing on development cooperation, humanitarian response, and political transitions.

Prior to her current assignment, she was the UN Resident Coordinator in Bhutan, where she led the implementation of a $200 million Cooperation Framework and championed disability inclusion, climate resilience, and joint resource mobilization. She also supported in the Royal Government of Bhutan to become an accelerator country for Jobs and Social Protection during her tenure. She also served at Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative for UNDP in Lesotho and Serbia. Her earlier roles include WFP Representative and Country Director in Liberia and Eswatini, where she secured significant COVID-19 funding (IMF/WFP/Government of Liberia joint agreement) and from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (US$ 67 million to increase farmer profit margins through improved value chains). She has been a member of the Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator Pools since 2010 and Designated Official in four countries. She was also reconfirmed in the SRSG/DSRSG Pool in January 2025. Her UN career began with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in 1997, following roles with Rotary International 1994, and the United States Peace Corps in Rwanda in 1989.

Ms. Hershey brings strong political acumen, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to the values of the United Nations. She holds an MBA in Management from the American InterContinental University, a BA in Economics and Political Science from Southern Methodist University and has completed postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics. 

Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Hershey has consistently aligned her work with national,  regional, and global priorities, championing innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Her leadership continues to leave a profound impact on the communities and organizations she serves.


Mr. Hassan Nasser
Mr. Hassan Nasser Special Envoy for Multilateral Affairs Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)

Ms. Yoke Ling Chee
Ms. Yoke Ling Chee Executive Director Third World Network (Malaysia)

Abdulaziz Mohammed AlNaimi
Abdulaziz Mohammed AlNaimi Cybersecurity Awareness and Training Specialist National Cyber Security Agency, Qatar WSIS Prize Winner 2025

Abdulaziz Mohammed AlNaimi is a cybersecurity professional at Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), working within the Cyber Security Policies and Strategies Department and the National Cyber Security Academy. Specializing in digital safety and cyber awareness, he works on nationwide initiatives that empower individuals to adopt safe and ethical digital behaviors. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity and Networking, Abdulaziz delivers workshops and interactive programs across schools, universities, and government entities—spanning initiatives such as the Cybersecurity Educational Curriculum, Cyber Eco School Visits, the Digital Safety Initiative, and the National Cybersecurity Training Program. His work supports Qatar’s National Cyber Security Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030 by fostering a digitally aware society and strengthening national cyber resilience through education, inclusion, and community engagement.


Ms. Gitanjali Sah
Ms. Gitanjali Sah Strategy and Policy Coordinator International Telecommunication Union Moderator

WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development