Leaders TalkX - Global Perspectives on Emerging Technology


WSIS

Session 403

Thursday, 9 July 2026 15:30–16:00 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room C, Palexpo Real-time captioning Interpretation: EN/FR Leaders TalkX

The digital landscape of 2026 looks nothing like the one that WSIS sought to shape two decades ago, and the pace of change is only accelerating. Blockchain systems are redefining trust and transparency in transactions and governance. Quantum computing threatens to upend the cryptographic foundations that digital security depends on. The Internet of Things is embedding connectivity into the physical fabric of cities, but also into farms, hospitals, and homes in ways that simultaneously create both opportunity and risk. Each of these technologies carries vast potential for sustainable development, yet each also warrants policy implications that most governments are only just beginning to understand. This is particularly poignant in the developing world. The danger is not simply that emerging technologies outpace regulation, but that the countries and communities with the least capacity to shape their governance end up facing the greatest risks and receiving the fewest benefits. Join us as we examine governance frontier, share perspectives from all regions, and begin building the international cooperation frameworks that emerging technologies urgently demand.

Panellists
Mr. Darius Zailskas
Mr. Darius Zailskas Vice-Minister of Economics and Innovations of the Republic of Lithuania Ministry of Economics and Innovations of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuania

H.E. Ms. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni
H.E. Ms. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Digital Transition and Administration Reform Ministry of Digital Transition and Administation Reform, Morocco

H.E. Dr. Bosun Tijani
H.E. Dr. Bosun Tijani Minister Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria

H.E. Dr. 'Bosun Tijani is the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of  the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

An accomplished entrepreneur and business leader, H.E. Dr. Tijani is a pioneer in the African startup ecosystem and has been instrumental in driving innovation and fostering the growth of tech startups across the continent. 


He is the co-founder and former CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading pan-African technology and innovation center with presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Namibia. Founded in 2010, CcHUB has played a pivotal role in nurturing startups through mentorship programs, funding initiatives, and access to essential resources. Under his leadership, CcHUB became a vital catalyst for the African tech ecosystem, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and the development of groundbreaking solutions to local and global challenges. H.E. Dr.Tijani's visionary leadership, passion for technology, and commitment to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem have made him a respected figure in the African tech communities. His dedication to creating opportunities and driving innovation continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria and beyond. 


Prior to CcHUB, he led the networking and coordination of leading innovation agencies across Europe as European Innovation Manager at PERA, with the aim of standardizing the varying methodologies for commercializing research results. He had also previously worked at the International Trade Centre, in Geneva, Switzerland overseeing the design and implementation of technical support programmes geared towards enlightening and assisting exporters in Sub-Saharan Africa in maximising the use of information and communication technologies for export marketing. 


H.E. Dr. Tijani is an exemplary scholar who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Jos, a Masters degree in Information Systems and Management from Warwick University and a Doctorate degree in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester. He is also an adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance, South Africa. 

His PhD research focussed on contributing to a better understanding of how the network perspective to innovation capacity serves as a contextually relevant framework for explaining the adoption and adaptation of innovation in developing countries and offers an alternative path to how African countries can effectively organise to strengthen their innovation ecosystems.


H.E. Mr. Philip Thigo
H.E. Mr. Philip Thigo Special Envoy On Technology Executive Office Of the President, Kenya

Dr. Charles Noir
Dr. Charles Noir Vice-President, Community Investment, Policy & Advocacy Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

Topics
5G Technology Artificial Intelligence Blockchain Cybersecurity Digital Divide Education Emerging Technologies Ethics Infrastructure Machine Learning WSIS+20 Review
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C1 logo C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
  • AL C2 logo C2. Information and communication infrastructure
  • AL C3 logo C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C4 logo C4. Capacity building
  • AL C5 logo C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
  • AL C6 logo C6. Enabling environment
  • AL C7 E–GOV logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
  • AL C7 E–BUS logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-business
  • AL C7 E–LEA logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
  • AL C7 E–HEA logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-health
  • AL C7 E–EMP logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
  • AL C7 E–ENV logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-environment
  • AL C7 E–AGR logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-agriculture
  • AL C7 E–SCI logo C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
  • AL C8 logo C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
  • AL C9 logo C9. Media
  • AL C10 logo C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
  • AL C11 logo C11. International and regional cooperation
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 1 logo Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • Goal 3 logo Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all
  • Goal 4 logo Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Goal 5 logo Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 7 logo Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • Goal 8 logo Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  • Goal 9 logo Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • Goal 10 logo Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Goal 11 logo Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Goal 12 logo Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Goal 13 logo Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 16 logo Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  • Goal 17 logo Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
GDC Objectives
  • Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
  • Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
  • Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
  • Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity