UN General Assembly adopts historic outcome on global internet governance at WSIS+20 Review: ECA’s advocacy leads to strengthened Internet Governance Forum mandate in Outcome[...]

New York, 17 December 2025 (ECA): The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) welcomes the adoption by consensus of the outcome document of the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20). This decision, based on the resolution submitted by the President of the General Assembly during the High-Level Meeting held from 16-17 December, marks a historic milestone for the architecture of global Internet governance.

Thanks to the strategic leadership and technical advocacy of the ECA, the outcome document fully integrates African priorities as articulated in both the Cotonou Declaration on WSIS+20 and the Dar es Salaam Declaration on African Internet Governance. The adopted outcome explicitly recognizes the important role that the regional commissions have played in developing regional action plans to fulfil the World Summit vision. It reaffirms their mandates to serve as regional mechanisms for implementation and follow-up of World Summit outcomes, encourages them to continue their work within their regions, and calls for them to scale up technical assistance, capacity-building, and partnerships. This direct mandate empowers the ECA to drive digital transformation more effectively across member states.

Reflecting the urgent needs of the international community, the outcome strikes a balance between stability and adaptability, safeguarding proven approaches while meeting emerging challenges. Central to this balance is the confirmation of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as a permanent mechanism. This decision ensures stability by guaranteeing long-term continuity for the multi-stakeholder model, while maintaining a flexible framework for cooperation and dialogue closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The resolution further underscores the alignment of WSIS with the Global Digital Compact (GDC), emphasizing partnerships as the primary vehicle to bridge the digital divide.

Speaking on the adoption of the outcome, Mactar Seck, Chief of the Emerging and Frontier Technologies, Innovation and Digital Transformation Section at ECA, highlighted the strategic implications of this decision;

"By linking WSIS with the post-2030 agenda, digital transformation remains a driver for sustainable development. The Outcome not only extends the mandate of WSIS and IGF for the next ten years (until 2035), but also establishes a permanent mandate for the IGF, ensuring long-term continuity for the multistakeholder model. It further outlines the framework for implementing the Global Digital Compact. ECA will continue to collaborate with all member states, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and academia to translate the WSIS+20 vision into concrete actions."

This landmark decision paves the way for lasting advancements in worldwide Internet governance and confirms the United Nations' dedication to creating a connected, inclusive, and sustainable digital future for everyone.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: [email protected]