African Telecommunications Union urges WSIS+20 to reinforce ITU leadership, boost Global South participation, and safeguard WSIS architecture
The African Telecommunications Union has called for the WSIS+20 outcome to reaffirm the ITU’s leadership of the WSIS process, maintain the existing WSIS architecture, and secure sustainable funding for the WSIS Forum and participation of developing countries. Its contribution stresses that future UN digital-policy initiatives should build on, rather than replace, the WSIS framework, and highlights priorities including inclusive participation, open and interoperable digital public infrastructure, and measurable targets for energy efficiency and e-waste management.
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has submitted its formal input to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, calling for the outcome to reaffirm the institutional foundation of the WSIS process and strengthen the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as its lead UN body. The contribution stresses continuity, sustainable financing, and stronger participation for least developed, landlocked, and Small Island Developing States.
ATU requests explicit language recognising that WSIS originated from ITU Plenipotentiary Conference and urges that the ITU remain the convening authority for follow-up, including the annual WSIS Forum and the WSIS Stocktaking platform. It also calls for resources to support these mechanisms and enhanced participation from developing countries.
The submission backs institutionalising the WSIS Forum as a permanent multistakeholder platform in Geneva, with secure funding and clear reporting to UN bodies. It also seeks increased support for participation by LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, and youth, including travel assistance and improved remote-participation tools.
ATU requests formal recognition and continuation of the WSIS Prizes and a stronger linkage between WSIS Stocktaking and SDG monitoring.
The organisation urges retention of the WSIS Action Lines as the core cooperation framework, with results-oriented indicators and region-specific baselines, particularly for Africa.
On digital public infrastructure, ATU supports open, secure, interoperable systems aligned with ITU standards, with safeguards for privacy, competition, and access. It recommends reporting Partner2Connect commitments within WSIS follow-up.
The submission emphasises the central role of youth in Africa’s digital transformation and calls for permanent youth participation tracks across WSIS structures.
ATU also highlights environmental priorities, proposing measurable targets for energy efficiency and e-waste management, and pointing to Africa’s ‘Green Data Centers Guidelines’ as an example of regional leadership.
