WDTA Attends WSIS+20 High-Level Forum: Celebrating and Exploring Digital Transformation

2024-06-03 20:10:36

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the WSIS+20 High-Level Forum was inaugurated on May 27, 2024, in Geneva, and lasted for a week. This significant event brought together global leaders, policymakers, and technological innovators to discuss the future of digital transformation.

The forum, jointly organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNESCO, UNDP, and UNCTAD, and co-hosted by the ITU and the Swiss Confederation, focused on the intersection of technology, society, and sustainable development. It reviewed achievements, major trends, challenges, and opportunities since the 2003 Geneva Action Plan. Invited by the organizers, WDTA's delegation, led by Founding Chairman Peter Major and Executive Chairman Yale Li, attended the event in Geneva.

(World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala giving an opening address)

Opening Ceremony Highlights

The forum began with “The WSIS Moon Shot" sessions, celebrating 20 years of digital progress, addressing ongoing challenges. Experts from various fields discussed cutting-edge technologies shaping our future and the continuous digital journey. The subsequent "The WSIS welcome Part" sessions introduced key figures to share insights, visions, and the collaborative spirit driving global digital transformation.

Notable Speeches and Participants

(Chair of UNCSTD and WDTA Vice Chairman of Education Council Muhammadou M.O. Kah was giving a keynote speech)

Prominent speakers at the opening ceremony and main forum included WTO Director-General Iweala, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Chair of UNCSTD and WDTA Vice Chairman of Education Council Muhammadou M.O. Kah, and Turing Award laureate, the Founding Father of Internet and WDTA Founding Academician Vint Cerf, who joined with remote presentation.

(Turing Award laureate, the Founding Father of Internet and WDTA Founding Academician Vint Cerf was giving speech online)

The "UN Leaders dialogue on the progress and future of digital cooperation" session explored how the public sector can prepare for the AI era, stressing the need for adaptive governance and ethical AI deployment. The "Leaders TalkX Series" covered various topics, including the potential of ICT applications, the importance of e-services, and advancing sustainable development through trusted connectivity. The "WSIS Action Lines" focused on e-commerce, global digital contracts, collaborative regulation, and inclusive urban planning, highlighting strategies to foster a robust digital economy and society.

Engagement of High-Level Representatives

(ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin (center front row) moderated the ministerial dialogue session, with China's Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Shan Zhongde (third from the left in the front row), participating)

High-level representatives from around the world, including ministers and ambassadors from the UK, France, China, Japan, and India, participated in the event. China's Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Shan Zhongde, engaged in dialogues with these leaders, sharing insights and strategies on leveraging digital transformation for societal goods. The conference also underscored the importance of international cooperation in the digital era.

In his speech, WDTA Founding Chairman Peter Major discussed the necessity of global digital contracts, inclusive policies, innovative digital strategies, and ethical considerations to ensure technology benefits all sectors of society. Additionally, Executive Chairman of WDTA Yale Li highlighted the importance of international cooperation in standard-setting and he engaged with heads of ISO, IEC, and ITU to discuss future cooperation on international standards with WDTA.

(The Founding Chairman of WTDA Peter Major (left) and Executive Chairman Yale Li (right) participated in multiple sessions with many international organizations. )

Conclusion

Through this forum, WDTA strengthened its leadership in the global digital arena and laid a solid foundation for future international cooperation.