UNESCO has played an important role in the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and has substantially contributed to the ongoing WSIS+10 Review Process. By the deadline for comments on the working document (the 18th of September), over 50 responses had been received from UN Member States, the private sector, the technical community, civil society and intergovernmental organizations.

Based on all stakeholder feedback, the co-facilitators of the WSIS+10 Review process, Latvia and United Arab Emirates, just published the Zero-Draft Paper. All relevant WSIS stakeholders will be given the opportunity to offer feedback on the Zero Draft Paper at the upcoming Informal Interactive WSIS Stakeholder Consultation, which is being held at UN Headquarters in New York on the 19th of October 2015.

The first informal stakeholder consultation took place on 2 July 2015. This second consultation is significant as it is currently the last scheduled opportunity for contributions to be made to the WSIS+10 Review Process in a multi-stakeholder setting in the UN General Assembly Review process. It will take place just before the Second Preparatory Meeting by Member States in NY on 20-22 October 2015. For stakeholders who are unable to attend the Stakeholder Consultation yet wish to contribute, there is the opportunity to participate remotely through tweeting. Stakeholders can also submit comments on the zero draft to UNDESA here.

The WSIS+10 Review Process will conclude with a 2-day high-level meeting of the General Assembly in New York on the 15-16 December 2015. This meeting will finalise the WSIS+10 Review Outcome Document.

Links:

• UNGA WSIS+10 website
• UNGA WSIS+10 Zero draft
• UNESCO’s WSIS website
• Roadmap on the Preparatory Process for the WSIS+10 Review
• UNESCO and WSIS Action Lines