GENEVA: The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2025 commenced in Geneva with the participation of Kuwait, represented by Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Omar Al-Omar, who is leading a high-level delegation. In her opening remarks, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Doreen Bogdan-Martin noted that the five-day forum brings together global stakeholders under a shared vision of building an inclusive information society. She emphasized the forum’s continued role over the past two decades in shaping a digital future that serves all, describing it as a starting point for reinforcing multilateral efforts toward a more equitable and connected world.
The forum serves as a global platform to assess progress and challenges since the launch of the Geneva Plan of Action in 2003, while enhancing international cooperation in digital innovation and sustainable development. Discussions will address key areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the evolving frameworks of global digital governance. Representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia are taking part in the forum, which will also feature the 2025 edition of the WSIS Prizes — recognizing outstanding projects that utilize information and communications technology (ICT) to advance sustainable development goals.
WSIS Forum remains the only global platform mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to coordinate efforts in maximizing the developmental impact of digital technologies. Held alongside the AI for Good Summit, the forum runs until July 11 and is co-organized by the ITU and the Swiss government, in cooperation with UNESCO, the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), with participation from over 40 UN agencies. — KUNA
