[Chapter-delegates] URGENT opportunity: Endorse WSIS+20 Stakeholder Engagement Statement

[Israel Rosas]

Hi Dave, all,

Thanks for the questions and thoughts. An interesting aspect of the WSIS+20 review is that it will conclude with a high-level declaration, which means we shouldn’t expect to see detailed tactical aspects included in it.

From that perspective, our priorities for the review are described in the non-paper we shared in June, which is accessible here<https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2025/a-pivotal-moment-for-global-digital-cooperation/>. We believe that, if we protect the Internet’s foundational principles and the attributes for multistakeholder collaboration, the outcomes of this process will allow all stakeholders to keep driving change and implementing projects that will benefit users.

On the other hand, in terms of UN agencies and bodies, the ITU doesn’t host or facilitate the WSIS+20 review. However, in the coming weeks, we’ll share additional information regarding the ITU processes in which we’re involved, such as the WTDC-25.

Best,
Isra

Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development
Internet Society

From: Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org> on behalf of Dave Burstein via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Date: Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
To: Stine Gaba Gomez <gomez at isoc.org>
Cc: ISOC Chapter Delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>, Mona Gaballa <gaballa at isoc.org>
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] URGENT opportunity: Endorse WSIS+20 Stakeholder Engagement Statement
Stine

I'm all in favor of a democratic organization at the U.N., but neither this document nor what I've read from ISOC provides any evidence that this would help computer users.

I learned to lobby from pros like Jim Cicconi of AT&T and Tom Tauke of Verizon. They always emphasized benefits to the consumer and the nation. To win support here, we need to show the benefit to users and the world.

What concrete proposals are we making that will directly help users?
What two or three concrete measures that helped users came from the multistakeholder process?
Without that, there are no grounds for advocacy here.

I can't think of any convincing important actions that weren't supported by the U.S. The U.S. has enough power it doesn't need our $60M of advocacy. The way ITU works, the U.S. has a de-facto veto of any important action.
------------------
I've watched the ITU closely for more than a decade and served on a Study committee. I believe it's not set up to have impact.

Am I wrong?

On Mon, Oct 13, 2025 at 8:18 AM Stine Gaba Gomez via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org<mailto:chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>> wrote:
Dear Chapter Leaders,

Global Partners Digital and other stakeholders have drafted a new statement recommending ten actions to advance meaningful stakeholder engagement in the intergovernmental phase of the WSIS process.

🔗 Ten actions to advance meaningful stakeholder engagement<https://docs.google.com/document/d/155TA4jHGSm_JtC-GKdCBKInFFJuJP4an-0K9czX345I/edit?tab=t.0>
👉 Add your endorsement here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0U0aTqamQI91iI3GqItOhOu1nv6tXxthd3916x4mNFcRYng/viewform>

Earlier this year, many of you endorsed the group’s previous statement, Eight Practical Recommendations<https://www.gp-digital.org/wsis20-five-point-plan-follow-up-eight-practical-recommendations/>. Statements like these help us maintain pressure on the UN and member states to ensure greater transparency and openness throughout the WSIS+20 negotiations.

Note: While the organizers are initially accepting endorsements until TODAY (Monday, 13 October) at 12 pm UTC, Global Partners Digital has confirmed that later signatures will also be accepted. You may sign either in your individual capacity or on behalf of your organization, provided you have the appropriate consent to do so.

I’ve copied my colleagues Mona and Isra for any follow-up questions.

Thank you,
Stine


--

Stine Gaba Gomez, Advocacy and Community Mobilization Advisor
gomez at isoc.org<mailto:philipsen at isoc.org>

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