In essence…
- TCCM members support the renewal of the WSIS framework and its contribution to a people-centred information society. The Internet is key technology that supports the realisation of the information society’s potential.
- The WSIS Action Lines are fit for purpose; we don’t propose changes or additions.
- The IGF should be strengthened with permanent status, greater resourcing and a stronger role in shaping the broader WSIS and Internet governance agendas.
- The GDC’s commitments should be implemented through the WSIS framework, without duplicating or creating new forums.
Advancing the Information Society
We are members of a Technical Community Coalition for Multistakeholderism—TCCM. As organisations that operate the Internet’s core technical infrastructure, we strongly support the WSIS vision. Realising a truly inclusive information society, where people everywhere can thrive, relies fundamentally on the effective functioning of the Internet’s technical infrastructure. Ensuring that all stakeholders can contribute meaningfully to the governance of the Internet is not optional; it is essential.
The WSIS+20 Review marks an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements since the 2005 Tunis Summit, and to chart the next phases of this work. In doing so, the Review should continue its long-standing recognition of the coordination work that we and others do to keep the Internet available for everyone: open, free, global, secure, resilient and interoperable.
As with every aspect of the WSIS process, collaboration and shared effort among all stakeholders is the best way to build the inclusive information society the world needs. Multistakeholder Internet governance recognises that no group acting alone can effectively respond to the complex challenges that the Internet presents. It is a proven model and an effective tool for responding to these challenges, supporting the inclusion of more perspectives, experience and knowledge in discussions and decision-making. Broader participation leads to more robust, innovative and legitimate outcomes. Recognising this successful approach will help bring the WSIS vision closer to reality.
As recognised by the 2024 Global Digital Compact, “Internet governance must continue to be global and multistakeholder in nature, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations, technical and academic communities, and all other relevant stakeholders in accordance with their respective roles and responsibilities.” In this spirit, Internet governance should continue to follow the provisions set forth in the outcomes of the summits held in Geneva and Tunis, and in the conclusions of the WSIS+10 Review from 2015.
Between April and June 2025, members of TCCM collaborated to develop shared positions on key elements of the WSIS framework. This document outlines our collective stance.
Retaining the WSIS Action Lines as fit for purpose
There are eleven Action Lines defined in the Geneva Plan of Action. They are broad, technology-neutral statements that remain suitable for their purpose of guiding the actions of all stakeholders in achieving the WSIS vision. Recognising this fact, TCCM does not support reopening the existing Action Lines nor does it support the addition of any new Action Lines. However, we are working on suggested language and potential changes in case they are eventually reopened.
Strengthen the Internet Governance Forum
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a key outcome of WSIS and the Tunis Agenda. It is the primary multistakeholder platform for discussion of Internet governance issues and is widely recognised by all stakeholders, including by UN Member States in the WSIS+10 Review and in the Global Digital Compact.
The IGF is more than a single event. It is a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem of processes and dialogues spanning national, regional and global levels. Its impact has been profound, offering a vital platform for all stakeholders to engage, collaborate and address the complex challenges involved in advancing the WSIS vision.
The IGF can and should be improved and made more sustainable. By strengthening the value it offers to stakeholders, its purpose as set out in the Tunis Agenda can be better realised.
IGF improvement:
A stronger agenda-setting role: the IGF should evolve its working methods to strengthen its agenda-setting role, recognising that it provides an under-utilised means of identifying and framing key issues of collective importance. In this way, the IGF could allow for the identification of key governance issues, facilitate stakeholder deliberations and provide a structured set of priorities and stakeholder perspectives for consideration by other platforms such as the WSIS Forum and ECOSOC through UNCSTD. As the most open and inclusive process in the WSIS system, with the deepest connection to grassroots perspectives, the IGF is well suited to do so.
Enhanced value: the value the IGF provides to all stakeholders should be assessed and enhanced, with the working methods of both the global forum and the NRIs adapted to support continuous improvement.
IGF sustainability:
Permanent mandate: the mandate of the IGF should be made permanent, with a cyclical review process introduced to ensure the IGF is delivering value for all stakeholders. The modalities of the review process must be a community-led effort and not a UN process. This will encourage greater investment and more active engagement, both to strengthen the IGF and to maximise the value it delivers.
Non-duplication: the WSIS+20 Review should prevent the duplication of the IGF’s purpose and scope, as the IGF has the agility and institutional strength to address issues relating to digital governance and implementation of the Global Digital Compact.
IGF funding: to fulfill its potential, the IGF requires increased funding, through continued contributions from the regular UN budget and increased contributions by stakeholders of all types. This funding should not only support the delivery of the annual IGF, but also the wider suite of intersessional work that occurs under its auspices, as well as the resourcing of the IGF Secretariat. Greater awareness of costs associated with the IGF would inform and support conversations with potential funders, including the private sector, for whom the value-add of the IGF needs to be better articulated.
WSIS is the right framework for GDC implementation
TCCM believes that the commitments UN Member States made in the Global Digital Compact can best be realised and implemented through the WSIS structures, including the IGF and the annual WSIS Forum. There is no need to create additional forums that would duplicate efforts already enabled by the WSIS framework and further strain the resources required for meaningful participation.
Ongoing cooperation
TCCM believes that ongoing cooperation between governments and other stakeholders remains the best way to engage support for the Internet and digital technologies which are critical to building inclusive, resilient societies. Multistakeholder processes will best support the WSIS vision and promote “an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all.” We believe that technical expertise is a critical element that will strengthen both multilateral and multistakeholder digital policy processes.