WSIS Forum 2021: Open Consultation Process

17-21 May 2021

www.wsis.org/forum

Keywords: #InformationSociety #development #ICT4SDG #multistakeholder #inclusive #crowdsourced #stocktaking #prizes #HighLevel #GrassRoot #accessibility #gender #OlderPersons #youth #sports #space #infrastructure #access #CapacityBuilding #cybersecurity #regulation #eGovernment #eBusiness #eHealth #eEmployment #eEnvironment #eAgriculture #eLearning #eScience #CulturalDiversity #media #ethics #cooperation #partnership

The year 2020 has marked 15 years since the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum summit held in Tunisia, demonstrating that the foundations of a “just and equal information society” set by the Geneva Plan of Action in 2003 are still crucial to all WSIS stakeholders.

WSIS Forum represents the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community, and is co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line Facilitators/co-facilitators.

Following 15,000 accumulative participants attending the fully virtual WSIS Forum 2020, we are expecting thousands of information and communication technology (ICT) experts from around the globe to assemble the 2021 annual event and to discuss advancing technological solutions to meet the challenges of sustainable development.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2021 will serve as platform to discuss a range of compelling sessions on everything from building vibrant ICT-centric ecosystems to disaster risk reduction to machine learning for 5G systems.

With diverse stakeholders from around the world, the WSIS Forum brings together global commitments to create and maintain an information society that brings benefits to everyone, everywhere. And this year includes increased focus on how to leverage the power of ICTs to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The WSIS Forum has proven to be an efficient medium 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.

The WSIS Stocktaking Database and the WSIS Prizes show what this multistakeholder effort can achieve on the ground in practical terms. New Calls for Submission for WSIS Stocktaking 2021 Report and WSIS Prizes 2021 contest will be presented. Additionally, the ongoing call for submissions to the Coronavirus (COVID19) Response - ICT Case Repository will be promoted.

The annual WSIS Forum hosts two days of high-level dialogues and policy statements, more than 200 specialized workshops and interactive exhibitions, annual awards WSIS Prizes, inspiring WSIS TalkX, international hackathon, various exhibitions and several special tracks focused on: o Virtual Reality for SDGs o ICTs and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and Specific Needs o Gender Mainstreaming o Innovation for SDGs o ICTs and Sports o ICTs and Youth o ICTs for Older Persons

The WSIS Forum is the only event of its kind where the programme and agenda are completely crowdsourced and build during the open consultation process. Involving all WSIS Stakeholders (governments, civil society, private sector entities, academia and international organizations), this process aims to ensure a participatory and inclusive spirit of the Forum.

The WSIS Forum 2021 is scheduled to be held from 17 to 21 May 2021. The inputs received during this meeting will be integrated in the outcomes of the Open Consultation Process.