WSIS
WSIS was convened with the aim of finding ways to ensure that the benefits of information and communication technologies reached everyone in the world. Some of the original benefits identified include e-commerce, e-governance, e-health, education, literacy, cultural diversity, gender equality, sustainable development and environmental protection. Two major Summit events were held in 2003 and 2005, with a number of preparatory meeting held in the lead up to both of those meetings. For more information, see:
- WSIS first phase: Geneva, 2003
- WSIS second phase: Tunis, 2005
- APNIC attends UN ICT Task Force meeting on WSIS (April 2004) Paul Wilson. Explains the main areas of discussion at the meeting of the UN ICT task Force held in March 2004.
- ICANN, the ITU and WSIS and Internet governance (Oct-Nov 2004), Geoff Huston. Part 1 (October 2004) | Part 2 (November 2004)
- ISOC list of links on contributions and documents produced by the Internet technical community during the WSIS process.
The major outcome of the WSIS process for the Internet technical community was the creation of the IGF. For an overview on the IGF, and information on APNIC’s participation at the IGF, see:
In addition to the IGF, the WSIS process continues today in the form of implementing a range of activities, structures and processes agreed to in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society. For more information, see:
- WSIS follow-up
In 2006, ECOSOC set out how it oversee the system-wide follow-up of the Summit outcomes in the document Follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society and review of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development. - United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS)
UNGIS is an interagency group that coordinates WSIS implementation activities being conducted within the UN family of organizations. - WSIS implementation
The ITU, UNESCO and UNDP play leading facilitating roles in the implementation of the Geneva Plan of Action themes and action lines. - WSIS Stocktaking
The stocktaking platform hosted by the ITU provides a register of WSIS-related activities carried out by governments, international organizations, the business sector, civil society and other entities.