EU welcomes adoption of WSIS+20 document

The European Commission has welcomed the WSIS+20 outcome document adopted at the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting, describing it as a forward-looking framework that will guide global digital governance over the coming decade. The agreement reaffirms international commitments to an open, free, secure and human-centric digital future, closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

A central element of the outcome is its rights-based approach. It reiterates that the human rights protected offline must be equally safeguarded online, a long-standing EU position. The document also strengthens commitments to close digital divides, support universal and affordable connectivity, and ensure that technological progress benefits all regions and communities.

Crucially for internet governance, the WSIS+20 outcome consolidates the multistakeholder model and grants the Internet Governance Forum a permanent mandate. This marks a significant reinforcement of inclusive governance structures at a moment when debates over digital policy, standards, and security are increasingly geopolitical.

The agreement also shapes how the forthcoming Global Digital Compact will be implemented, creating a shared reference point for cooperation between governments, civil society, the private sector, the technical community and academia. The EU has confirmed it will work with all partners to translate the WSIS+20 vision into concrete action and sustainable digital development.

The outcome concludes a negotiation process in which the EU played an active role. It reflects continuity with the principles agreed at the original World Summit on the Information Society in 2003–2005, while acknowledging today’s more complex digital landscape and the need for resilient governance frameworks.