This report reviews the UNESCO’s work during the five years since the Tunis phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2005. It summarises some highlights of what has been achieved to date and reflects upon the challenges which have arisen in the implementation of WSIS outcomes.

The report looks in turn at UNESCO’s three main roles in WSIS implementation:

• as a coordinator/lead facilitator, with ITU, UNDP and UNCTAD, of the overall implementation process, including UNGIS and the WSIS Forum;
• as a facilitator of six Action Lines to facilitate the implementation of the WSIS outcomes in specific areas of work; and
• as an implementer of programmes and initiatives that seek to build inclusive Knowledge Societies and thereby contribute to the achievement of WSIS goals.

The final section of the report looks forward over the next five years to suggest ways in which implementation of WSIS results might be more effectively integrated in the broader work that UNESCO and other agencies are doing. This work aims at achieving the benefits that can be derived from the Knowledge Societies to whose development UNESCO is committed.