The WSIS Forum 2026 is set to take place in Geneva from July 6 to 10, marking the first major gathering since the UN General Assembly's 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This event will bring together ministers, tech leaders, academics, and NGOs to tackle pressing issues in connectivity, online safety, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Renewed Global Commitment
With 2.2 billion people still offline and the six billion connected seeking maximum benefits from digital technologies, the forum builds on the pledge by UN member states to collaborate on sustainable digital progress for the next decade. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the timeliness of the forum, stating that it is the perfect moment to deliver on the WSIS promise of people-centered digital development.
High-Level Track and Prizes
The five-day forum will feature a high-level track where ministers, regulators, CEOs, civil society leaders, ambassadors, mayors, and UN agency heads will share priorities, exchange policy insights, and identify areas for collective action. Additionally, the annual WSIS Prizes will recognize innovative projects that leverage technology to advance global development goals.
The event will be held at ITU headquarters and Geneva's Palexpo convention centre, coinciding with ITU's AI for Good Global Summit 2026 and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, convened by the UN General Assembly.
Progress and Future Directions
Since the WSIS process began in Geneva in 2003, global Internet use has risen from 15% to 74%. Last year's WSIS+20 resolution reaffirmed commitments to a digital future grounded in human rights and UN Charter principles. The resolution called for accelerating projects to close digital divides, increasing investment in digital infrastructure and skills, and adopting policies for sustainable digital development.
The upcoming forum will emphasize turning these commitments into action, highlighting developments in AI, digital public infrastructure, and cybersecurity. The forum is co-hosted by ITU and the Swiss Confederation, with co-organizers including UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, and engagement from over 50 UN partners.
