Outcomes

The WSIS Forum 2015 was held from the 25–29 May 2015 at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva. This year the Forum attracted more than 1800 WSIS Stakeholders from more than 140 countries. Several high-level representatives of the wider WSIS Stakeholder community graced the Forum with more than 60 ministers and deputies, several ambassadors, CEOs and Civil Society leaders contributing passionately towards the programme of the Forum. On–site and remote participation increased tremendously during the WSIS Forum 2015.

The WSIS Forum, co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line Facilitators/Co-Facilitators (UNDESA, FAO, UNEP, WHO, UN Women, WIPO, WFP, ILO, WMO, UN, ITC, UPU, UNODC, UNICEF and UN Regional Commissions) has proven to be an efficient mechanism for coordination of multistakeholder implementation activities, information exchange, creation of knowledge, sharing of best practices and continues to provide assistance in developing multistakeholder and public/private partnerships to advance development goals. This forum provided structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation.

The WSIS Forum 2015 comprised of the High-Level Track: 26th and 27th May that focused on innovation, partnerships and the link between ICTs and the Global Sustainable Development Agenda and the Forum Track : 25th, 28th and 29th May - that provided a platform for multi-stakeholder coordination of the implementation of the WSIS outcomes, with involvement and participation of all WSIS action line facilitators, other UN agencies and all WSIS stakeholders. The High level Track consisted of Opening Segment, Policy Statements: by Ministers, CEOs, Heads of UN Agencies and Civil Society Leaders, WSIS Prizes Ceremony and the Ministerial Round Table. The Forum track consisted of Exhibition, Innovation/ Incubation Track, World Cafés, Linking ICTs and the Sustainable Development Agenda Track, Partnerships Track, Thematic Workshops, Country Workshops, UN Regional Commission meetings, UNGIS (High-level and working level meetings), Interactive Sessions, Action Line Facilitation meetings, Action line Facilitators’ meeting and Knowledge Exchange.

The outcomes of the WSIS Forum 2015 were presented on the last day, 29th May, and will be submitted to the Commission on Science and Technology (CSTD), the UN General Assembly and ITU Council.

High-Level Track Policy Statements

The High-Level Track provided a special platform for high-ranking officials of WSIS Stakeholders: Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and International Organization; to express their views on the achievements, challenges and recommendations on the implementation of WSIS Action Lines, emerging trends and matters of strategic importance to the development of the telecommunication and information and communication technology sector.

Forum Track Outcome Document

Building on the open consultation process, more than 150 sessions were held during the WSIS Forum 2015. The overall theme of the WSIS Forum 2015 this year was “Innovating Together: Enabling ICTs for Sustainable Development”. This provided a vibrant atmosphere for facilitation and exchange on a multistakeholder vision of the WSIS Process. An exhibition space provided the perfect atmosphere to network, learn and share .The commitment and dedication of the WSIS Stakeholders was evident from the outcomes submitted by the session organizers.

WSIS-SDG Matrix

Linking WSIS Action Lines with Sustainable Development Goals

The WSIS Action line and SDG matrix was launched during the WSIS Forum 2015. To underline the key role of ICTs in promoting sustainable development, all WSIS Action Line Facilitators, under coordination by ITU, developed this WSIS-SDG Matrix demonstrating the direct links between the WSIS Action Lines and the proposed SDGs.

Reports


WSIS Forum 2015 | Innovating Together: Enabling ICTs for Sustainable Development
25–29 May 2015, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland