EU Statement - UN General Assembly: High-level meeting on the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20)

16 December 2025, New York, Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by Mr. Thibaut Kleiner, Director for Future Networks, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Plenary meeting on Agenda item 15: High-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society

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Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Colleagues,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, as well as Armenia, Andorra, and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Let me start by thanking Ambassador Suela Janina of Albania, and Ambassador Ekitela Lokaale of Kenya, as well as their teams and the UN secretariat, for the excellent facilitation, and for conducting the process in such an inclusive manner. The EU and its Member States welcome the adoption of the WSIS+20 Review Outcome Document, and urge all UN Member States to join consensus.

Today's outcome gives us what the international community strongly needed:

• Stability to protect what works,

• Flexibility to adapt to new challenges,

• A permanent IGF for inclusive multistakeholder dialogue

• A stronger link between WSIS, the SDGs and the Global Digital Compact, and

• Partnerships to close all digital divides.

This is more than a procedural milestone - the Outcome Document reaffirms our sustained commitment towards a global digital future based on openness, human rights, and inclusive multistakeholder governance.

For over two decades these principles have sustained the information society, internet governance and digital policies - principles the EU has consistently championed.

The Geneva and Tunis agreements established a framework of openness, interoperability and universality that aligns with our own Digital Decade and Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles.

The outcome document's emphasis on a human-centric, human rights-based approach resonates deeply with our legal and policy framework as we continue to champion strong data protection, combat digital authoritarianism, and embed human rights safeguards across the digital lifecycle.

At a time of technological change and geopolitical divisions, this outcome provides the strategic clarity and stability vital to safeguard the digital ecosystem.

More than a diplomatic choice, the resolution we will adopt tomorrow is the natural outcome of two decades of proven benefits for the global economy and society.

The multistakeholder model has enabled cooperation among governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical and academic communities. It has delivered tremendous benefits for our populations. No other approach has demonstrated comparable openness, innovation, resilience or inclusion.

Making the Internet Governance Forum a permanent UN body is a landmark achievement. We have long advocated for its institutionalisation so that it continues to be the cornerstone of inclusive digital governance.

Internet governance stability is now secured and this is crucial, but it does not imply "technological stagnation". Europe is ready to shape the future of the Internet, just like it shaped its inception.

Technologies like artificial intelligence, immersive environments, data-driven infrastructures and new forms of connectivity are creating opportunities as well as challenges. We are ready to work with partners to tackle new divides, new dependencies and new fragmentation risks.

We welcome the renewed mandate for WSIS Action Line facilitators to update roadmaps and align implementation with the SDGs and the Global Digital Compact to avoid duplications.

By linking WSIS with the post-2030 agenda, digital transformation remains a driver for sustainable development - a topic that has received so much attention in our debates.

We share the concern of many that technology should not create more divides. We want to promote digital sovereignty in Europe and across the globe.

Our initiatives, including the Global Gatewayand our tech offer, promote secure, resilient, and inclusive digital infrastructures worldwide - from connectivity to compute. We are advancing open-source solutions, digital commons, cybersecurity, digital public infrastructures like the EU Digital Identity Wallet and international standards for global interoperability. We support local skills and local AI ecosystems.

Because we believe in partnership, and in building tech sovereignty together, directly supporting the WSIS goals of bridging divides and fostering innovation.

Our responsibility is to keep the WSIS model fit for the evolving digital ecosystem, so that openness and interoperability continue to define the Internet - features that enable sustainable development, meaningful connectivity, innovation and the exercise of human rights, while preserving natural resources.

As we enter the next decade, the EU is committed to an open, global and interoperable Internet; to closing digital divides; and safeguarding human rights.

Excellencies,

The foundations are strong. The direction is clear. Our responsibility is shared.

The EU is ready to work with all partners to turn this vision into reality for everyone, everywhere.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.