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Highlights and Outcomes

The WSIS Forum 2026, co-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation and co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, took place from 6 to 10 July 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum was held from 6 to 7 July at ITU Headquarters and from 8 to 10 July at Palexpo, as part of Geneva Digital Week.

Building on two decades of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process and following the WSIS+20 review, the WSIS Forum 2026 further strengthened its role as the central global multistakeholder platform for advancing digital cooperation, accelerating implementation of the WSIS Action Lines and their annual roadmaps, convening diverse stakeholders to shape emerging digital priorities, and building consensus for a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable digital future. The Forum brought together governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia, youth, and the technical community to strengthen partnerships and advance a more inclusive, people-centred, and sustainable digital future.

As a key component of Geneva Digital Week, the WSIS Forum 2026 was held alongside the AI for Good Global Summit and the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, creating a unique convergence of global discussions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Together, the events welcomed 12,000 participants from around the world, both onsite and virtually from 177 countries, representing a diverse range of stakeholders, including more than 250 high level representatives including ministers and deputies, regulators, UN heads and leaders, as well as policymakers, industry leaders, international organizations, researchers, innovators, civil society representatives, and youth.

The Forum reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the WSIS process as a strategic framework for translating digital cooperation into tangible outcomes and advancing the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines. Discussions emphasized the need for the next phase of WSIS to remain action-oriented, supporting countries in transforming digital strategies into meaningful services, skills, opportunities, and improved outcomes for communities.

Throughout the five-day programme, participants engaged in high-level dialogues, interactive sessions, and knowledge exchanges addressing a wide range of digital priorities across the WSIS Action Lines. Key messages highlighted throughout the Forum included the continued importance of advancing digital inclusion beyond connectivity by strengthening access, digital skills, relevant content, and meaningful use of technology. Participants also underscored the need to harness emerging tech, in particular, artificial intelligence as a driver for development, while addressing emerging challenges such as the AI divide, capacity gaps, and the importance of trusted, responsible, and sustainable approaches to AI.

The Forum further highlighted the role of digital finance, youth engagement, and efforts to close the gender digital divide as essential components of equitable digital transformation. A strong emphasis was placed on measuring impact and ensuring that progress is assessed not only through technological deployment, but through the tangible benefits delivered to people and communities.

Discussions across high-level sessions reinforced the importance of moving from dialogue to implementation through strengthened partnerships, improved coordination, and measurable outcomes. The WSIS Action Line Facilitators advanced work on updated roadmaps and indicators in line with the WSIS+20 Outcome Document, supporting a shared vision for the continued evolution of the WSIS process.

UNGIS High-Level Meeting brought together heads and senior representatives of more than 40 UN entities to reaffirm the UN system's commitment to implementing the WSIS+20 Outcome Document. Members recognized UNGIS as the UN's principal coordination mechanism for digital cooperation, underscoring its role in strengthening policy coherence, reducing duplication, mobilising shared expertise, and supporting Member States. The meeting also marked the transition of the UNGIS Chair from UNCTAD to ITU for the 2026–2027 term and set priorities for the forthcoming UNGIS Work Plan, with ITU serving as the permanent secretariat of UNGIS.

The Ministerial Roundtable brought ministers together around AI strategy and policy, digital transformation, and infrastructure and inclusion. A common thread ran through the room: readiness, trust, and cooperation. Ministers called not for identical systems but interoperable ones that respect national circumstances, with ITU as a trusted platform translating shared principles into practical cooperation. AI must remain people-centred, ethical, and accountable, with growing momentum behind sovereign AI models and local-language datasets. Ministers warned of a structural divide as AI infrastructure funding concentrates in a few large private firms, and stressed that success should be measured not by technology deployed but by lives improved, calling for blended finance, compute sharing, and investment that reaches underserved communities.

The Regulators Roundtable focused on putting governance essentials into practice, introducing the Actionable Core Toolkit to help regulators move from assessment to action across the seven governance essentials of the GSR-26 best practice guidelines, with concrete approaches shared from Nigeria's network intelligence ecosystems to Singapore's regulatory sandboxes and Ukraine's adaptive regulation sustaining resilience.

WSIS Prizes 2026 celebrated outstanding digital development initiatives from around the world, recognizing innovative projects that demonstrate the impact of ICTs in advancing sustainable development and implementing the WSIS Action Lines.

WSIS Stocktaking continues to serve as the global repository for collecting and sharing ICT-enabled initiatives supporting the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting good practices, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts from around the world.

Looking ahead, the Forum highlighted the importance of the coming decade as a period of accelerated implementation, with a focus on digital inclusion, responsible innovation, digital trust, and sustainable development. The WSIS process remains a vital mechanism for fostering cooperation, aligning priorities, and ensuring that digital transformation contributes to meaningful progress worldwide.

The Event was chaired by H.E. Eng. Raafat Hendy, Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt (Arab Republic of). At the closing ceremony, H.E. Raafat Hendy presented the Chair’s Summary, capturing the key messages and outcomes that emerged from the programme of the Forum.

Highlights

  • Daily highlights of the WSIS Forum 2026

  • Over 250 sessions took place across different formats: Action Lines sessions, High-level dialogues, interactive sessions, Leaders TalkX sessions, knowledge cafés, exhibitions, and more.

  • Statements from UN leaders reaffirmed their commitment to digital cooperation:

  • As part of the WSIS Stocktaking process and the WSIS Prizes, the WSIS Prizes 2026 celebrated outstanding contributions to digital development. The full list of winners and champions is available here. The WSIS Prizes 2026 received nearly 1,600 submissions from over 120 countries. Since its inception in 2012, the contest has received more than 10,000 submissions profiling technological solutions to global development challenges.

    • 18 Winners recognized as outstanding projects that demonstrate excellence in implementing the WSIS Action Lines and advancing global goals through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

    • 72 Champions

    • 270 Nominees celebrated

  • 12 Leaders TalkX sessions included high-level participants such as ministers, CEOs, and civil society leaders, facilitated by the High-Level Track Facilitators, providing focused dialogue on topics aligned with WSIS Action Lines.

  • More than 50 exhibition spaces showcased innovative digital initiatives from UN entities, WSIS Forum 2026 partners, and other exhibitors, highlighting the transformative role of digital solutions in advancing sustainable development. The exhibition provided an interactive space for participants to discover emerging technologies, exchange knowledge, and explore innovative approaches to addressing key digital challenges.

  • The United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) continued to serve as a key inter-agency mechanism for strengthening digital cooperation, enhancing policy coherence, and supporting coordinated action across the United Nations system.

    • ITU assumed the rotational Chair for 2026–2027, taking over from UNCTAD

    • Vice-Chairs: UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, and UNECE (regional commissions)

  • The Ministerial Roundtable, with 8 ministers and deputies, discussed:

    • AI Strategy and Policy

    • Digital Transformation

    • Infrastructure and Inclusion

  • The Regulators Roundtable brought together 46 regulatory authorities to discuss practical approaches for implementing the GSR-26 Best Practice Guidelines on “Regulatory Governance Essentials: The new core kit regulators need to make digital markets deliver.” The session focused on translating governance principles into actionable measures, including balancing innovation, investment, and consumer protection; strengthening the use of data and evidence in regulatory decision-making; and advancing more adaptive and forward-looking regulatory approaches.

  • The WSIS Action Lines meetings were held, each organized by the respective WSIS Action Line facilitators. See the meetings and their outcomes here. In addition, a closed coordination meeting for WSIS Action Line Facilitators was held to discuss the development of Action Line road maps, while the WSIS Action Lines Knowledge Café provided an interactive space for participants to explore the WSIS Action Lines, exchange insights, and deepen their understanding of ongoing implementation efforts.

  • The annual WSIS Action Lines Facilitators Meeting provided a platform to hear updates from WSIS Action Line Facilitators on ongoing implementation activities. The meeting also included the handover of certificates recognizing the contributions of WSIS Action Line Facilitators and focal points to the WSIS process and the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines.

  • The Permanent Mission of India organized yoga and mindfulness sessions, continuing its tradition from previous years.

  • The third edition of the ITU Network of Women (NoW) Ministers and Leaders in ICT breakfast brought together over 200 participants, including women ministers, regulators, industry leaders, and emerging leaders from around the world, to advance inclusive digital leadership and strengthen women’s participation in shaping the future of digital transformation.

  • Dedicated multistakeholder engagement provided focused spaces for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholder communities, including:

    • Youth engagement activities highlighted the perspectives and contributions of young people in shaping the digital future. The dedicated Youth Special Track welcomed over 300 participants and provided a platform for discussion and exchange on key digital issues. The Youth Special Track sessions are available here.

    • Second Business roundtable led by ICC Basis and USCIB to identify and share practical recommendations from business, focusing on enabling greater private-sector contribution to the implementation of the WSIS+20 outcomes and to strengthen dialogue between business, governments and international organizations on the policies needed to support continued investment and innovation.

    • Civil Society roundtable provided a dedicated space to strengthen and leverage civil society engagement in the WSIS process and broader digital cooperation efforts. The Roundtable will be institutionalized as part of future WSIS Forums, with civil society organizations invited to actively participate and contribute to ongoing discussions.

  • The WSIS Photo Contest 2026 received a record-breaking 465 submissions from stakeholders around the world. The contest concluded during the WSIS Forum in Geneva, where 151 finalists were recognized for their visual storytelling and the winning entries were announced.

  • A series of high-level dialogues for discussions on key digital priorities, including:

  • Summaries of stakeholder-led sessions are available here.

Key Figures

  • Over 250 sessions took place throughout the week, featuring high-level dialogues, Leader TalkX sessions, interactive discussions, knowledge cafés, exhibitions, WSIS Prizes and recognition ceremonies, ministerial and regulatory roundtables, stakeholder engagement activities, social events, and more. The programme brought together approximately 1,000 speakers from around the world, contributing diverse perspectives on key digital priorities and the future of digital transformation.

  • Geneva Digital Week brought 12,000 participants from 177 countries, bringing together the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, WSIS Forum 2026, and the AI for Good Global Summit 2026.

  • The Forum brought together 78 ministers and deputies, 46 regulators, 29 UN Heads and deputies from UN entities, alongside CEOs, civil society leaders, youth, and representatives from international organizations, the technical community, and academia.

  • Participation reflected a strong gender balance, with 44% women and 53% men.

  • Over 1700 participants actively used the WSIS Forum 2026 networking app during the event.

WSIS Forum 2026 Sponsors

The success of the WSIS Forum 2026 was made possible through the commitment and generous support of various partners:

  • Diamond Partner: United Arab Emirates

  • Platinum Partner: Malaysia

  • Gold Partner: Saudi Arabia

  • Silver Partner: Japan, Nigeria

  • Innovation Partner: IEEE

  • Supporting Partners: Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN in Geneva - Wallonia-Brussels in Geneva, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, United Kingdom, Afnic, ICANN, IFIP, ISOC, Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC)

 

Outcome Documents