CSTD Open Consultation at IGF 2023

The CSTD Open Consultation at IGF 2023, titled "WSIS at 20: Successes, Failures, and Future Expectations," is organized by the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). This event is scheduled for October 10, 2023, from 15:15 to 16:45 JST, at Room E of the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan, and will also be accessible online.

The consultation aims to assess the progress and challenges of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) over the past two decades. Key topics include evaluating the implementation of WSIS outcomes, identifying successes and failures, and discussing future expectations for a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information society.

The event will feature a keynote address by Mr. Yoichi Iida, Deputy Director General for G7/G20 Relations, Government of Japan. Discussion starters include Ms. Isabelle Lois, Senior Policy Advisor at the Swiss Federal Office of Communications; Mr. Kamel Saadaoui, Chief of Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Communication Technologies, Tunisia; Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology; Ms. Anita Gurumurthy, Executive Director of IT for Change, India; Ms. Anriette Esterhuysen, Senior Advisor on Global and Regional Internet Governance at the Association for Progressive Communications, South Africa; and Ms. Temilade Adelakun, Youth Ambassador of the Internet Society and Associate Product Marketing Manager at Google Sub-Sahara Africa.

This consultation is essential for policymakers, technologists, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders interested in the evolution of the information society. Attendees will gain insights into the achievements and shortcomings of WSIS initiatives and contribute to shaping the future direction of global information and communication technology policies.