Revision 1 of the WSIS+20 outcome document released

A revised version of the WSIS+20 outcome document – Revision 1 was published on 7 November by the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process. The document will serve as the basis for continued negotiations among UN member states ahead of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on 16–17 December 2025.

While maintaining the overall structure of the Zero Draft released in August, Revision 1 introduces several changes and new elements that cover areas such as digital divides, environmental protection, human rights, and the interplay between the WSIS and Global Digital Compact (GDC) processes. Below is an overview of some of the main changes. 

Stronger focus on closing digital divides

Across multiple sections, introduction, ICT for development, and the dedicated digital divides chapter, the revised text adopts firmer language on the need to close (rather than merely bridge) digital divides. It emphasises affordability, linguistic diversity, digital skills, and the needs of groups in vulnerable situations.

There is now also a recognition of the role of public access facilities (schools, libraries, post offices) and explicit references to assistive technologies.

Adjustments in human rights language

The human rights section is toned down in certain places. References to targeted surveillance safeguards, detailed descriptions of threats to journalists, and a mention of an OHCHR advisory service on human rights in the digital space were removed from the Zero Draft.

At the same time, the text keeps a commitment to the ‘universal, free, open, interoperable, safe, reliable and secure use of and access to the internet’ and changes the language on refraining from internet restrictions to reflect wording agreed in the GDC (from ‘refraining from undue restrictions, such as internet shutdowns, arbitrary or unlawful surveillance or online censorship’ to ‘refraining from internet shutdowns and measures that target internet access’). 

New mentions of on standards and unilateral measures

Revision 1 newly recognises the need for inclusive participation in standardisation processes, and adds language urging states to take steps towards avoiding/refraining from unilateral measures inconsistent with international law, a formulation drawn from earlier WSIS+10 negotiations.

Financial mechanisms and a new task force proposal

The financial mechanisms section introduces a new institutional suggestion: the Secretary-General is invited to consider establishing a task force to explore future financing mechanisms for digital development, with the outcomes to be reported to the UNGA 81. The revised text also calls on international financial organisations to further mainstream ICTs in their work.

Internet governance and multistakeholder processes

Language on the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) remains largely consistent with the Zero Draft, including with regard to making the forum a permanent one and requesting the Secretary-General to make proposals concerning the IGF’s future funding. New language invites the IGF to further strengthen the engagement of governments and other stakeholders from developing countries in discussions on internet governance and emerging technologies. There is also a new reference acknowledging the NetMundial+10 Guidelines.

Revision 1 also introduces a shift in framing. Para 87 replaces the WSIS+10 language on the management of the internet, including multilateral, transparent, democratic and multistakeholder processes, with GDC language that internet governance must continue to be global and multistakeholder. The section no longer explicitly reaffirms the importance of preserving an open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure internet, or the rejection of state-controlled or fragmented internet architectures.

The desired attributes of the internet are, however, referenced elsewhere in Revision 1 (para 73, 89), and so is a reference to preventing, identifying and addressing risks to internet fragmentation (89).

Environmental impacts: streamlined and narrower scope

Several paragraphs from the Zero Draft were removed, including references to e-waste, compliance with the Basel Convention, and calls for global reporting standards on environmental impacts. The section now highlights a balanced approach in which addressing the effects of technologies on climate change is complemented by addressing energy security, access and affordability. 

Data governance and AI remain broadly unchanged

Both sections closely mirror the GDC language, reiterating previously agreed principles. The requests introduced in the Zero Draft for the UN Secretary-General to establish an AI research programme and an AI capacity development fellowship are maintained.

The AI section introduces some revised language regarding commitments to capacity development, along with a link between the forthcoming International Scientific Panel on AI and the proposed research programme. 

Some shifts in WSIS framework and follow-up & review

Revision 1 also introduces several adjustments in the sections dealing with the WSIS institutional framework, and follow-up and review mechanisms. There are, for instance, some language changes in how the WSIS Forum is described, along with a new reference to the UN Office for Emerging and Digital Technologies (ODET) working with existing mechanisms in strengthening UN coordination on digital cooperation. There is also stronger language reaffirming commitment to the original WSIS action lines framework. 

A notable adjustment concerns the Action Line implementation roadmaps. Revision 1 specifies that these roadmaps should be developed in coordination with the UN Group on the Information Society (UNGIS), and explicitly links the WSIS Action Lines, the SDGs, and GDC.

The paragraph about UNGIS is also refined. It is no longer described as a platform for multistakeholder dialogue. While the call to expand UNGIS membership remains, specific entities are no longer mentioned. There is also a clarification that UNGIS will support both WSIS and GDC implementation, and the language regarding the integration of multistakeholder advice is removed.

The revised text now places greater emphasis on alignment between WSIS and GDC processes rather than integration. For instance, if the GDC-WSIS joint implementation roadmap was initially requested to ‘integrate GDC commitments into the WSIS architecture’, it should now ‘aim to strengthen coherence between WSIS and GDC processes’.

Corresponding adjustments are also reflected in the roles of the Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Science and Technology for Development.

For more details on the WSIS+20 review process, check our dedicated page.