On August 29, 2025, the co-facilitators for the WSIS+20 process issued the Zero Draft of the outcome document for the twenty-year review of the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), as a follow-up to the WSIS Elements Paper, which was published in June 2025.
The Zero Draft highlights the implementation of WSIS outcomes and global digital governance. It also highlights digital divides as a persistent challenge in advancing ICTs. Some of the provisions highlighted in the Zero Draft build on similar text from the outcome document of the WSIS+10 process in 2015. The Zero Draft introduces new elements such as digital public goods and infrastructure.
In preparation for the WSIS review, which will happen in December 2025 at the United Nations General Assembly meeting, member states, civil society organisations and other stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the Zero Draft. The secretariat is accepting comments until September 26, 2025. The Secretariat will also accept input during two stakeholder consultations on October 14 and 15, 2025.
In light of the above, Paradigm Initiative will host a webinar to unpack the Zero Draft and discuss Global South stakeholders' impressions on the WSIS Zero draft. The consultative webinar will gather and amplify different perspectives on the Zero Draft. It will provide an opportunity for the development of Global South feedback on the Zero Draft.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness of the Zero Draft and allow for review of its text by Global South actors.
- To amplify Global South stakeholders’ views on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft by ensuring their views are captured in a Global South submission to the WSIS+20 review process.
The webinar will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 14:00 WAT. Interested members can sign up for the webinar here.
