Session
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The roundtable format is best suited for this session as it fosters interactive, multi-stakeholder dialogue, essential for discussing complex global challenges like digital transformation and the SDGs. Unlike theatre or classroom settings, which are more passive, a roundtable encourages active participation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among diverse stakeholders, ensuring that all voices—governments, civil society, technical experts, and youth representatives—are heard. A 60-minute duration strikes the right balance: it is long enough to allow in-depth discussions on WSIS+20 and SDG integration while maintaining audience engagement. A 30-minute session would be too brief for meaningful interaction, whereas 90 minutes might reduce focus and participation. This format and duration ensure a concise, impactful discussion, with structured panelist contributions followed by an engaging, solution-oriented exchange among participants, leading to actionable recommendations.
WSIS+20 Review and SDGs: A Collaborative Global Dialogue
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has played a pivotal role in shaping global efforts to harness digital technologies for development. During the WSIS+10 review, the WSIS-SDG Matrix was developed to illustrate the linkages between WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, the Global Digital Compact also plays a crucial role, as it emphasises the importance of aligning digital cooperation efforts with the SDGs, ensuring that digital transformation contributes meaningfully to achieving these global goals. As we approach the WSIS+20 milestone, there is an opportunity to deepen this integration by developing comprehensive strategies to effectively leverage digital technologies in achieving specific SDG targets.
The European Union is committed to engaging stakeholders in brainstorming and discussions on this topic to shape a forward-looking and inclusive approach. This Open Forum session aims to facilitate a collaborative dialogue. The discussion will focus on:
- Evaluating Past Efforts: Reflecting on the outcomes of the WSIS+10 review, particularly the effectiveness of the WSIS-SDG Matrix, and identifying areas for enhanced alignment.
- Proposing Collaborative Strategies: Exploring the development of detailed, actionable strategies that outline how specific digital initiatives can drive progress toward individual SDGs, drawing also inspiration from the methodology developed by the UN for the elaboration of STI4SDG roadmaps.
- Engaging Diverse Stakeholders: Encouraging collaboration among governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia to co-create these strategies and ensure their successful implementation.
Session Approach:
The session will begin with brief presentations from each panelist, highlighting their organization's efforts in aligning digital initiatives with the SDGs. This will be followed by an interactive discussion, encouraging input from both onsite and online participants, to coalesce ideas on formulating effective strategies. The goal is to emerge with a set of actionable recommendations that the EU and its partners can pursue in the lead-up to the WSIS+20 review.
- Issues: Despite previous efforts, gaps remain in effectively integrating digital strategies with SDG implementation plans. There is also a need for more detailed guidance on leveraging digital technologies for specific SDG targets.
- Challenges: Developing universally applicable strategies is challenging due to varying levels of digital infrastructure, policy environments, and socio-economic contexts across countries.
- Opportunities: The upcoming WSIS+20 review presents a timely opportunity to reassess and strengthen the role of digital technologies in sustainable development. By collaborating on the development of detailed strategies, the EU can work alongside global partners to foster partnerships and drive innovation.
European Union
Anna JELLETOFT, European Commission, Intergovernmental Organization, WEOG, ([email protected]); Nils BERGLUND, European University Institute, Academia, WEOG ([email protected]) Esteve SANZ, European Commission, Intergovernmental Organization, WEOG Patryk PAWLAK, European University Institute, Academia, WEOG
Jorge Pérez-Martínez, Professor, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Thibaut Kleiner, Director for Future Networks in DG Connect, European Commission
Joshua Alade, Coordinator, Nigeria Youth SDGs Network
Karen McCabe, Senior Director of Global Public Affairs, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Sook-Jung Dofel, Director General, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and member of the IGF MAG
Valeria Betancourt, Programmes manager and Internet governance lead, Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Nils Berglund, Project Lead for the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet, European University Institute (EUI)
17.6
17.8
Targets: The proposal directly supports SDG targets 9.c, 17.6, and 17.8 by emphasizing the integration of digital technologies with sustainable development strategies and fostering global partnerships to achieve these goals. SDG 9.c (Expanding ICT access and affordability): The session evaluates past efforts like the WSIS-SDG Matrix and explores strategies for leveraging digital transformation to achieve SDG targets, particularly in regions where connectivity gaps persist. By engaging stakeholders from governments, the private sector, and civil society, the session promotes solutions for universal and affordable access to ICT. SDG 17.6 (Enhancing international digital cooperation): The roundtable format fosters collaborative dialogue among diverse actors, ensuring that technology transfer, digital governance, and knowledge-sharing are central to SDG implementation. SDG 17.8 (Strengthening digital capacity in developing countries): The proposal encourages structured multi-stakeholder discussions on developing actionable digital strategies, supporting least developed countries (LDCs) in adopting digital technologies and strengthening their digital infrastructure for sustainable development.