WSIS Process

Tomorrow in New York: the UN system on how it works together on digital 🌐

UNGIS: Stronger Together – Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System
📅 Friday, 18 September 2026
🕓 10:00–11:15 New York (EDT) | 16:00–17:15 Geneva (CEST)
📍 Amartya Sen Conference Room, UNDP Headquarters, and online

Since the adoption of the WSIS+20 Resolution (A/RES/80/173), the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) has set up a Task Force on Strengthening Financial Mechanisms for Digital Development, launched a Multistakeholder Consultation Group, and submitted the Joint Implementation Road Map for WSIS–GDC Coherence to the 29th session of the CSTD. Four new members have also joined: UNICRI, UNODA, UNSSC and UN-OHRLLS.

Tomorrow the discussion moves from process to practice. We'll be asking:

✅ What does UN inter-agency work look like on the ground? Speakers will bring real projects where agencies combined their expertise and got results.

🧭 How does the UN system stay coherent on digital? We'll look at how UNGIS helps agencies pull in the same direction on the WSIS+20 outcomes and the Global Digital Compact.

🤝 Who else needs to be at the table? Member States, the private sector, civil society, academia and the technical community all shape digital development, and we'll hear how their contributions fit together.

💡 How do we make partnerships count? We'll look for ways to share expertise, resources and ideas more effectively as digital challenges keep changing.

🌍 What do countries actually need from the UN? The conversation covers joined-up support on connectivity, digital inclusion, skills, data, AI and other emerging technologies.

Speakers:
🔹 H.E. Ms. Suela Janina, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania to the UN
🔹 Ms. Cynthia Lesufi, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of South Africa (remote)
🔹 Ms. Nur Sulyna Abdullah, Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, ITU
🔹 Mr. Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
🔹 Mr. Juan José Martinez Badillo, Chief, UNCTAD New York Office
🔹 Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, Senior Advisor, UN Women
🔹 Ms. Stela Mocan, Practice Manager, Digital Government, World Bank
🔹 Mr. Li Zhou, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR
🔹 Mr. Felix Guimard, Economic Affairs Officer, UNECE

Moderated by Ms. Gitanjali Sah, Head, WSIS and Stakeholder Engagement Division, ITU

Register Here:
👉 https://itu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z9aIpot6R1iBdCQWHfoOxg #/registration

Full session details: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2026/Agenda/Session/602

Don’t miss your chance to be recognized on the global stage.

Digital@UNGA Awards are open
recognizing projects, policies, and people driving inclusive, responsible worldwide.

📑Submit by 4 August 2026. More details here: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/digital-unga2026/awards/about-awards/

📢PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!
We thank Republic of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT ( ) for its continued support as a valued partner of the process.
Looking forward to welcoming you to WSIS Forum 2026 this July in !
Be part of the pivotal global event on cooperation, register for WSIS Forum 2026 now!
🔗Register for on-site participation: itu.int/go/0ROR
🔗Register for online participation: itu.int/go/R1QV

📢PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!
We thank ICANNorg for its continued support as a valued partner of the process.
Looking forward to welcoming you to WSIS Forum 2026 this July in !
Be part of the pivotal global event.
Register for WSIS Forum 2026 now!
🔗Register for on-site participation: itu.int/go/0ROR
🔗Register for online participation: itu.int/go/R1QV

📢PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!
We thank Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC) for its continued support as a valued partner of the process.
Looking forward to welcoming you to WSIS Forum 2026 this July in !
Be part of the pivotal global event on , , , youth, empowerment of women and girls... register for WSIS Forum 2026 now!
🔗Register for on-site participation: itu.int/go/0ROR
🔗Register for online participation: itu.int/go/R1QV

The Chair Designate for Forum 2026 is now announced: H.E. Eng. Raafat Hendy, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt🇪🇬
From 6–10 July in , stakeholders from around the world will come together to shape the future of .
Under his leadership, the Forum will serve as a key platform for dialogue, partnership, and action.
Have you secured your seat yet?
Register for free and join the global conversation: itu.int/go/ZYUB

📢PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT!
We thank for its continued support as a valued partner of the process.
Looking forward to welcoming you to WSIS Forum 2026 this July in !
Be part of the pivotal global event on , , , youth, empowerment of women and girls ... register for WSIS Forum 2026 now!
Register for on-site participation: itu.int/go/0ROR
Register for online participation: itu.int/go/R1QV

What a fascinating Final Briefing!
Just 31 days ahead of Forum 2026, the momentum is unstoppable.
A massive thank you to the , our Outgoing Chair , Chair Designate H.E. Eng. Raafat Hindi, and everyone who joined us, from member states, civil society, tech community, UN agencies, private sector, academia, today to power this vision forward!
This year is shattering records:
📈 700+ OCP contributions
🏆 1,595 WSIS Prize submissions + 2.2M+ votes cast
📸 465 Photo Contest entries (151 Finalists, 10 Winners!)
🤝The draft agenda is ready: itu.int/go/NBG1
The stage is set. Be part of one of the most important global event!
🔗Register for on-site participation: itu.int/go/0ROR
🔗Register for online participation: itu.int/go/R1QV

🌍 Big news for global cooperation!
has officially launched the Multistakeholder Consultation Group (MCG) with a view to fostering , -building and a review of progress on digital cooperation.
Learn more: itu.int/go/IPC3
Shape the future of the information and knowledge societies, submit your Expression of Interest by 12 June!