World Summit on the Information Society + 20.. An international review of the digital pathTransformation
Digital transformation has become one of the basic determinants of paths of development, justice and inclusion in the contemporary world, in light of the acceleration of innovation and the widening of gaps between countries and societies. The question being asked at the global level has gone beyond the speed of technology adoption, to focus on how to employ it to support sustainable development and contribute to reducingdigital inequalities.
In this context, the review meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) came twenty years after its launch, to re-present the file ofDigital Transformation from an operational angle:What do you achieve? Where did the path falter? How can we move from general frameworks to more effective policies capable of making a tangible impact?
SummitWSIS + 20Leading the digital transformation path
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was launched at the beginning of the new millennium, through two main meetings in Geneva in 2003 and Tunisia in 2005. In order to establish an international framework that regulates the use of the Internet and information technology to serve development and build a more comprehensive information society.
Since then, the summit has become a permanent international event, the outcomes of which are followed up through annual forums and meetings that discuss issues ofdigital transformation, and measure the extent of its impact on economies and societies. Twenty years after the launch of this track, it was held in December 2025A high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly, during which a comprehensive review of the WSIS+20 summit was approved; With the aim of evaluating what has been achieved on the ground, and what remains unachieved.
This review ended with the adoption of a final document that reflected the features of the next stage, and addressed a group of pivotal issues, including addressing the digital divide, building capacities, and protecting rights in the digital space, in addition to follow-up and implementation mechanisms within the United Nations system.
In this context, the issue of regulating and managing the digital space also emerged as one of the most prominent axes of the document, which was clearly reflected in the decisions related to the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Internet Governance Forum: From a temporary mechanism to a permanent institution
It is a conversionInternet Governance Forum (IGF)From a temporary mechanism to a permanent forum affiliated with the United Nations, it is one of the most prominent outcomes of the outcome document. It is a global platform that brings together multiple parties to discuss Internet governance policies around the world. This decision reflects international recognition of the importance of multilateral dialogue in managing digital issues, especially in light of the increasing complexities associated with the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and data science.
To enhance the effectiveness of the forum, the document called for:
Expand the participation of governments and stakeholders from developing countries.
Supporting national and regional Internet governance initiatives.
Developing more flexible and transparent working methods.
The goal behind these steps is to make the forum – the Internet Governance Forum – a more influential global space in directing the path ofglobal digital transformation, instead of being limited to traditional discussion. However, strengthening governance frameworks alone is not enough; The most important challenge remains to ensure that this institutional organization is reflected in reducing the existing gaps in access to technology and digital services.
Bridging the digital divide at the heart of priorities
The final document placed the issue of bridging the digital divide at the heart of the agenda for the next stage, as it is the greatest challenge to achieving a just digital transformation. The approach went beyond the issue of Internet connectivity to broader dimensions. Among them:
Improving communication quality and cost.
ضمانAccess of digital services to rural and remote communities.
Promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity on the Internet.
Connecting all schools to the Internet, as a basic condition for education in the era of digital transformation.
The document also emphasized that digitalization requires – in addition to sustainable infrastructure – digital skills, enabling environments, and frameworks that protect rights and ensure inclusion.
Governance and rights in the era of digital transformation
The document did not ignore the legal and ethical dimensions of technology, stressing that the same rights that are guaranteed outside the Internet must be respected inside it. Commitments included:
Protecting privacy and freedom of expression.
Confronting hate speechand misleading information.
Reject internet shutdowns and illegal surveillance.
Calling on the private sector to take into account human rights at all stages of technology development and its societal impacts.
The document also stressed the importance of having clear and predictable legal and regulatory frameworks, which supports a fair digital environment and enhances users’ confidence in the path ofdigital transformation.
From decisions to implementation: Where does the real challenge lie?
Despite the clarity of the outcomes and the multiplicity of commitments, the biggest challenge remains in moving from the level of pledges to the level of actual implementation on the ground. In this regard, the document called for:
Preparing road mapsExecutive linking the WSIS Summit tracks to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Enhancing coordination between various international digital frameworks; To avoid duplication.
Provide periodic reports that measure progress achieved and reveal implementation gaps.
The outcome document of the WSIS+20 review efforts also gave special importance to capacity building and financing, considering thatdigital transformationwill not be achieved without investments in skills and institutions, and research in the areas of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence technologies. Calling for training government cadres and building research capabilities, while emphasizing the importance of coordinating efforts. To avoid duplication of initiatives, and ensure that resources are used efficiently.
Finally, the WSIS+20 review reveals that the real challenge is in the ability to implementand follow-up; Because digital transformation – as the document reflects – is a political and social path as much as it is technical, and requires international coordination, political will, and long-term investments.
From the perspective ofEarth Defenders Foundation, the success of this path depends on the extent to which international commitments are transformed into implementable national policies that take into account digital justice, protect the most vulnerable groups from the risks of technological exclusion, and balance innovation with the protection of rights.
The Foundation also emphasizes that digital sustainability is measured by the speed of transformation, its ability to enhance transparency, reduce access gaps to technology, and ensure that the digital space is a tool for comprehensive sustainable development, not a new source of inequality or marginalization.
