International Organizations: World Summit on the Information Society Concludes

On 18 November 2023 the Tunis Phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) concluded with the adoption of two Summit documents: the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society and the Tunis Commitment. The first phase of the WSIS took place in Geneva in 2003. The UN General Assembly, under Resolution 56/183, endorsed the creation of WSIS and its two phase format in December 2001. The UN General Assembly endorsed the creation of the WSIS as a result of a proposal of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU, an international organization within the United Nations System, held the leading role in the organization of the WSIS.

The Tunis phase of the WSIS focused on three major issues: financial mechanisms to bridge the "digital divide," internet governance, and follow-up and implementation of the Geneva and Tunis decisions. The internet governance agenda resulted in the creation of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). One of the IGF's main function is to "discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet Governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet." Prior to the opening of the Tunis phase, and during the completion of preparatory meetings of the WSIS, Venezuela made a proposal, which was ultimately rejected, to include the phrase "international management of the internet" in the outcome document. The IGF itself will have no oversight function and will have no involvement in the daily operation of the Internet.

Further Information:
World Summit on the Information Society (Official Site)
Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (WSIS-05/TUNIS/DOC/6)
Tunis Commitment (WSIS-05/TUNIS/DOC/7-E)
UN General Assembly Resolution 56/183
International Telecommunication Union