Caribbean Telecommunications Union calls for stronger focus on small island states in WSIS+20 draft

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) has submitted feedback on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, welcoming many of its provisions while urging greater emphasis on the needs and vulnerabilities of Caribbean and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The submission highlights issues such as digital sovereignty, financing constraints, and representation in global technology governance as areas requiring stronger language and commitment.

CTU notes that the draft adequately covers core regional concerns, including references to rural and underserved communities, multistakeholder participation, cybersecurity, gender inclusion, and environmental sustainability. It also welcomes support for digital public infrastructure, AI capacity-building initiatives for developing countries, and proposals to strengthen the Internet Governance Forum by making it a permanent UN forum.

However, the organisation argues that several priorities for small island states are only partially addressed. These include explicit recognition of digital sovereignty for small states, consistent treatment of SIDS as a distinct group, and stronger references to local content, linguistic diversity, and cultural preservation.

CTU also calls for clearer commitments on financing mechanisms tailored to highly indebted SIDS, improved monitoring frameworks, and more integrated youth participation. The submission highlights gaps in global representation, stressing that SIDS remain under-represented in AI governance, standards-setting, and data governance forums.

Additional recommendations include dedicated cyber capacity-building programs, regional cybersecurity collaboration, and model legislative frameworks, alongside the suggestion to host future WSIS events in underrepresented regions.