In April 2025, our Chapter endorsed the Five Point Plan for an Inclusive WSIS+20. Visit https://www.gp-digital.org/five-point-plan-for-an-inclusive-wsis20-review/ to see the list of other endorsing organisations. The following content comes from the same link.
Please also refer to the Eight Practical Recommendations building on the below Five-Point Plan for an Inclusive WSIS+20 Review.
As engaged stakeholders in the WSIS+20 Review process, we, the undersigned, submit the following recommendations* to help operationalise the WSIS+20 review modalities to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.
1. Publish a Clear and Inclusive Timeline:
- Within 7 days of appointing the co-facilitators, publish and maintain a comprehensive timeline outlining key milestones, including consultations and government-only negotiations, with adequate notice of any changes.
- Provide stakeholders with at least 7 days to submit written input.
2. Ensure Transparency and Accountability:
- Maintain an online platform** centralizing all input and draft documents, their status, and stakeholders consulted.
- Publish substantive records of all consultations, including summary reports of main points and how these have been addressed, to enhance explainability.
- Live-stream government-only negotiations*** and provide post-session transcripts.
3. Facilitate Inclusive and Meaningful Stakeholder Consultations:
- Actively seek stakeholder input at every stage (elements paper, zero / first / final drafts) through written submissions and official virtual/in-person consultations, applying equal participation rules for governments and other stakeholders.
- Hold official stakeholder consultations at existing forums, including global and regional IGF initiatives and the WSIS High-Level Event, while also inviting Member States to conduct national consultations.
- Implement a multistakeholder speaking order during consultations by alternating speaking slots among governments and other stakeholder groups, with reasonable time allocation for interventions.
4. Broaden and Diversify Participation:
- Build on the WSIS+10 accreditation process, including by broadening the group of eligible stakeholders to participants of national, regional, and global IGFs.
- Promote diverse participation by offering financial and logistical support for underrepresented communities, particularly from the Global Majority.
- Ensure accessibility globally by implementing measures such as accommodating different time zones and working days, publishing key documents in official UN languages, and providing low-bandwidth participation options.
5. Maximise Inclusive Participation in Final Negotiations:
- Limit any necessary closed-door intergovernmental negotiations to the final stage of the WSIS+20 process.
- Ensure meaningful and inclusive multistakeholder participation at the High-Level Meeting.
Footnotes
* These draw on existing guidance on multistakeholderism, e.g. São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines.
**For example, see this OHCHR platform.
***For example, see recent negotiations on the UN Convention on Cybercrime.