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ICANN's Commitment to WSIS+20: Progress and Opportunities

5 February 2025
By
Veni Markovski

Veni Markovski

VP, Government Engagement - UN NY

Veni Markovski is based in New York, and is responsible for the relations with the United Nations, the UN Agencies in New York, and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations.

Veni Markovski has graduated law, but before that, back in September 1990 he started his work on the Internet, as a system operator of the first Sofia-based bulletin-board system, part of FidoNet.
In 1993 Mr. Markovski formed with another of the Bulgarian Internet pioneers, Mr. Dimitar Ganchev, their company - bol.bg, the first commercial Internet service provider in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Veni Markovski was President and CEO of bol.bg for nine years. The two owners sold the company successfully in 2008 to an international investment fund
In 1995 he co-founded the Bulgarian Internet Society, a non-profit, of which he serves as President and chairman of the Board.
In March 2002 Mr. Markovski was appointed as Chairman of the Bulgarian President's IT Advisory Council, a position he held until the President stepped down from office at the end of his second term on January 22, 2012.
In 2005 he was invited to be the senior international projects adviser to the chairman of the governmental Agency for Information Technologies and communications, a position that he held until 2009. He was also adviser to the Bulgarian national cybersecurity coordinator from 2009 till 2013.

Since the beginning of his career, Veni has been involved in different international organizations and programs on different levels - as project manager, adviser, senior adviser, advocate for policy changes, mediator, board member, etc. He has served on the Boards of CPSR, ISOC, ICANN, among others.
Widely recognized as a computer geek and expert in cyber, Mr. Markovski is a frequent speaker at international conferences, and is often being approached for advice by companies, organizations, and governments.

Since the first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva in 2003, ICANN has played a pivotal role in contributing to and shaping the global conversation around Internet governance (IG). From those early discussions to the upcoming 20-year review of the WSIS outcomes (WSIS+20), ICANN has remained dedicated to championing a multistakeholder approach on how the Internet operates and evolves.

A Legacy of Engagement

ICANN's engagement and journey with WSIS began at inception, and its commitment has remained true throughout. ICANN's active engagement has included:

  • The WSIS Tunis Meeting in 2005, which solidified discussions around IG.
  • Participation in the Working Group on Internet Governance
  • Participation in the Internet Governance Forums (including the Multistakeholder Advisory Group) since their inception in 2006.
  • Contributions to the WSIS+10 Review (2015), and preparations for the upcoming WSIS+20 review.
  • Ongoing work on awareness of the multistakeholder model (MSM) in all international forums.

ICANN's legacy of engagement continues to evolve as the organization aligns its efforts with the Global Digital Compact (GDC), ensuring the technical community's voice is amplified in the broader IG ecosystem.

Amplifying the Technical Community's Voice

ICANN has undertaken several initiatives to ensure the technical community's perspectives are focused on the WSIS+20 discussions. These include:

Sharing Knowledge and Resources

  • ICANN has developed a dedicated WSIS+20 webpage offering updates and resources.
  • In 2023, ICANN published key blogs and analyses, including an overview of the WSIS+20 Review Process and a response to the U.N. Secretary General's Policy Report.
  • In December 2024, ICANN further clarified its position on the endorsement of the GDC through a blog post.

Partnering with Like-Minded Organizations

  • Collaborating with the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre and the American Registry for Internet Numbers, ICANN issued a joint statement in August 2023 advocating for the recognition of the technical community as a distinct stakeholder within the U.N. ecosystem, countering earlier misclassifications.
  • ICANN also facilitated webinars and geopolitical sessions at its meetings, keeping participants informed and engaged.

Building the WSIS+20 Outreach Network

  • Launched in April 2024, the WSIS+20 Outreach Network has grown to include over 560 subscribers from 87 countries, fostering global dialogue on IG.
  • Through webinars and organized discussions, ICANN has explored key GDC drafts, ensuring the technical community's role is clearly defined and recognized.

Engaging Diplomats and Policymakers

  • Since WSIS+10, ICANN has been briefing U.N. diplomats in New York and Geneva and plans to continue these vital conversations throughout 2025.

Collaborating Across the ICANN Community

ICANN's efforts don't happen in isolation. They are bolstered by cross-functional collaboration across its teams – from the Office of the Chief Technology Officer and Communications to Global Domains & Strategy and Global Stakeholder Engagement. Regular discussions with Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, and technical groups ensure these efforts remain cohesive and impactful.

How You Can Get Involved

While ICANN has made significant strides, there remains an opportunity for the broader community to amplify these efforts. Here's how you can help:

  • Engage with National Governments: We urge our broader community to work with their national governments, sharing factual information about the successes of the MSM and explaining the Internet's technical foundations. Refer to the WSIS Tunis Agenda, WSIS+10 outcomes, and the GDC as key resources.
  • Join the WSIS+20 Outreach Network: Stay informed about the latest initiatives and participate in global discussions.
  • Spread the Word: Help others understand the importance of IG and the role they can play in shaping its future.

Looking Ahead

With the upcoming appointment of WSIS+20 co-facilitators and the release of event modalities, even more opportunities for involvement will arise. Stay connected by visiting ICANN's Government Engagement webpage, and subscribing to updates.

Together, we can make sure WSIS+20 strengthens the multistakeholder approach and supports a stronger, more inclusive Internet.

Authors

Veni Markovski

Veni Markovski

VP, Government Engagement - UN NY
Veni Markovski

Veni Markovski

VP, Government Engagement - UN NY

Veni Markovski is based in New York, and is responsible for the relations with the United Nations, the UN Agencies in New York, and the Permanent Missions to the United Nations.

Veni Markovski has graduated law, but before that, back in September 1990 he started his work on the Internet, as a system operator of the first Sofia-based bulletin-board system, part of FidoNet.
In 1993 Mr. Markovski formed with another of the Bulgarian Internet pioneers, Mr. Dimitar Ganchev, their company - bol.bg, the first commercial Internet service provider in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Veni Markovski was President and CEO of bol.bg for nine years. The two owners sold the company successfully in 2008 to an international investment fund
In 1995 he co-founded the Bulgarian Internet Society, a non-profit, of which he serves as President and chairman of the Board.
In March 2002 Mr. Markovski was appointed as Chairman of the Bulgarian President's IT Advisory Council, a position he held until the President stepped down from office at the end of his second term on January 22, 2012.
In 2005 he was invited to be the senior international projects adviser to the chairman of the governmental Agency for Information Technologies and communications, a position that he held until 2009. He was also adviser to the Bulgarian national cybersecurity coordinator from 2009 till 2013.

Since the beginning of his career, Veni has been involved in different international organizations and programs on different levels - as project manager, adviser, senior adviser, advocate for policy changes, mediator, board member, etc. He has served on the Boards of CPSR, ISOC, ICANN, among others.
Widely recognized as a computer geek and expert in cyber, Mr. Markovski is a frequent speaker at international conferences, and is often being approached for advice by companies, organizations, and governments.

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