WSIS

WSIS is a global gathering that aims to promote the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and to bridge the Digital divide. The summit is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in cooperation with other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The WSIS process involves various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, private sector companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM, as well as international organizations like the World Bank and the European Union.

Overview

The WSIS is a unique platform that brings together leaders from around the world, including Kofi Annan, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Ban Ki-moon, to discuss the role of ICTs in promoting sustainable development and improving the lives of people around the world, particularly in countries like China, India, and Brazil. The summit provides an opportunity for participants to share their experiences and best practices in using ICTs to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which were adopted by world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. The WSIS also involves other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, as well as companies like Cisco Systems and Intel Corporation.

History and development

The idea of holding a world summit on the information society was first proposed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1998, during the Ministerial Conference in Minneapolis, United States. The proposal was later endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, which called for the holding of a world summit on the information society in two phases, with the first phase taking place in Geneva, Switzerland in 2003 and the second phase in Tunis, Tunisia in 2005. The WSIS process has also involved other international events, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Athens, Greece. The summit has been supported by various leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Jacques Chirac, and Gerhard Schröder, as well as international organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Key themes and action lines

The WSIS has identified several key themes and action lines, including the development of ICT infrastructure in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt, the promotion of digital literacy and capacity building programs, and the use of ICTs to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, particularly in areas like healthcare and education. The summit has also emphasized the importance of Internet governance and the need for a multistakeholder approach to managing the Internet, involving organizations like the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Other key themes include the promotion of e-commerce and e-business in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, as well as the use of ICTs to promote cultural diversity and linguistic diversity, with the support of organizations like the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

Implementation and follow-up

The implementation and follow-up of the WSIS outcomes are critical to achieving the summit's goals, with the support of organizations like the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been designated as the lead agency for the implementation of the WSIS outcomes, working closely with other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The WSIS has also established a number of mechanisms for follow-up and review, including the WSIS Forum and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which involve organizations like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Additionally, the WSIS has been supported by various regional organizations, such as the African Union and the European Union, as well as companies like Samsung and Ericsson.

Outcomes and impact

The WSIS has achieved a number of significant outcomes, including the adoption of the Geneva Declaration of Principles and the Tunis Commitment, which emphasize the importance of ICTs in promoting sustainable development and improving the lives of people around the world, particularly in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The summit has also led to the establishment of a number of new initiatives and programs, such as the WSIS Stocktaking and the ICT4D initiative, which involve organizations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The WSIS has also had a significant impact on the development of ICT policies and strategies at the national and international levels, with the support of organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Overall, the WSIS has played an important role in promoting the use of ICTs to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and to bridge the Digital divide, with the involvement of leaders like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, as well as companies like Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.

Category:International organizations