The WSIS Forum 2016 was held from the 2-6 May 2016 at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva. This year the Forum attracted more than 1800 WSIS Stakeholders from more than 150 countries. Several high-level representatives of the wider WSIS Stakeholder community graced the Forum with more than 85 ministers and deputies, several ambassadors, CEOs and Civil Society leaders contributing passionately towards the programme of the Forum. The highlight of the WSIS Forum was the Prime Minister of Tonga, who graced the event with his presence.
On–site and remote participation increased tremendously during the WSIS Forum 2016.
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 Chairman of the WSIS Forum 2016 was Mr Daniel Sepulveda, USA who played a key role in providing high-level guidance for the Forum and its outcomes.
At the WSIS Forum 2016, moderated High-Level Policy Sessions of the High-level Track (HLT) took place on the 3rd and 4th of May. During these sessions, moderated Policy Sessions with high-ranking officials of the WSIS Stakeholder community, representing the Government, Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia and International Organizations were held. High-Level Policy Sessions were divided into sixteen sessions covering fourteen themes. The themes, based on the Geneva Plan of Action with particular focus on the WSIS Action Lines, build on the outcomes of the United Nations Overall Review and the submissions received during the open consultation process. The high-level track was moderated by High-level Track Facilitators who were nominated by different stakeholder types to represent their respective communities.
Building on the open consultation process, more than 150 sessions were held during the WSIS Forum 2016. The overall theme of the WSIS Forum 2016 this year was “WSIS Action Lines: Supporting the Implementation of SDGs”. 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.
The outcomes of the WSIS Forum 2016 were presented on the last day, 6th May, and will be submitted to the Commission on Science and Technology (CSTD), the UN General Assembly and ITU Council.
Some of the key outcomes are…click here to read more
