The forthcoming 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society outcomes (WSIS+20) will take place on 16 and 17 December 2025 at the United Nations (U.N.) headquarters in New York. This will mark two decades since the first WSIS established a collaborative framework for guiding the Internet's development. Over the last few weeks, U.N. Member States have been negotiating that framework to determine how the Internet should be governed. The decisions made in this review will shape the Internet for years to come, affecting governments, businesses, civil society, the technical community, and Internet users alike.
In 2024 and 2025, ICANN collaborated with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to host five in-person briefings for U.N. diplomats and international organizations. Each of the three briefings in 2025 were co-hosted by permanent representatives of South Africa and Finland. Held at the U.N. and ITU headquarters in New York and Geneva respectively, these sessions highlighted the historical importance of WSIS, emphasized the significance of the upcoming WSIS+20 review, and reinforced the need to preserve and strengthen the multistakeholder model of Internet governance.
ICANN Senior Vice President of Global Domains and Strategy Theresa Swinehart addressed more than 40 diplomats from permanent U.N. missions during the 19 November 2025 briefing in New York. The briefing emphasized how the WSIS process, first established in 2003 and 2005 with the Geneva Declaration of Principles and the Tunis Agenda, paved the way for the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and helped define the role of nongovernmental stakeholders. ICANN's perspective as part of the technical community, and its relationships with governments, the ITU, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), illuminated how a multistakeholder approach to Internet governance fosters innovation, stability, and accountability.
Another key theme was the historical context behind WSIS+20. A former government employee, now a Distinguished Policy Strategist-in-Residence at the American University, Fiona Alexander shared insights into her personal participation in the WSIS process.
One important takeaway from all three discussions at the U.N. was the IGF's role in uniting stakeholders across governments, international organizations, businesses, civil society, academia, and technical communities. Panelists stressed that extending the IGF's mandate should be a WSIS+20 priority, given its role in fostering globally representative policymaking and open dialogue on digital governance. The participants also received a briefing on ICANN's role in capacity development for the Global South, and Africa in particular, and were informed about the work of the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee.
It has been ten years since the last WSIS review. Many diplomats engaged in its negotiations for the first time, making these briefings essential in equipping these individuals with both technical insights and an understanding of how Internet governance has evolved over the past two decades. ICANN's engagement helps ensure that governance frameworks remain stable, predictable, and technically sound. By providing this context and fostering collaboration, ICANN supports informed policy decisions that reinforce the multistakeholder model.
Why Does This Matter, and Who Benefits?
WSIS+20 is a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Internet governance, with broad implications for governments, businesses, and the technical community. For example, goods and services, including e-government services, form an integral part of the digital economy. They are primarily delivered through digital platforms and networks that rely on the Internet to function. The governmental approaches to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance therefore matter to ensure the Internet's stability, security and interoperability.
Through ICANN's participation in the briefings, governments gained a clearer understanding of how the Domain Name System fits into broader policy objectives, and why collaboration with non-state stakeholders is essential. The technical community, including ICANN, plays a crucial role in ensuring that governance decisions remain accurate from the technical point of view. Ultimately, WSIS+20 will define the future of an open, secure, and resilient Internet; one that will continue to drive economic growth, social inclusion, and global connectivity.
Looking Ahead
The next milestone is the finalization of the draft of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document in December 2025. The intergovernmental preparatory process will continue to unfold, culminating in a high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly on 16–17 December 2025.
The ICANN Government and IGO Engagement team will continue meeting with diplomats to reinforce the core goals of the WSIS+20 process: sustaining the multistakeholder model, supporting the IGF's role, and ensuring that technical participation informs policy discussions. These meetings help provide negotiators with the historical context, technical considerations, and collaborative approach needed for the December discussions.
For those looking to learn more or engage further, see ICANN's WSIS+20 Outreach Network page for updates on key events, interactive webinar recordings, discussion opportunities, and a knowledge hub with factsheets and insights to help stakeholders engage and stay informed about the WSIS+20 process and its impact on global Internet governance. You can also read ICANN's 14 November 2025 contribution to the 1st Revision of the Draft of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document.