UN Digital Cooperation

On 17 December 2025, the General Assembly adopted by consensus resolution A/RES/80/173: the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20). 

The comprehensive WSIS+20 Outcome document reflects the progress achieved in the digital space over the last 20 years, acknowledges the challenges that remain, in particular with regard to the persisting digital divides, and provides recommendations for implementing the WSIS vision over the next decade. 

With 2.2 billion people still unconnected, the Outcome document places the closure of digital divides at the core of the WSIS agenda. Notably, paragraph 27 recognizes community anchor institutions such as post offices, libraries, schools, or hospitals as inclusive access points for delivering digital services to populations in rural and underserved areas, those lacking digital skills and people in vulnerable situations. The resolution also calls for collaboration of all stakeholders, public-private partnerships, and innovative finance mechanisms to make broadband subscription costs more accessible and affordable.

Initiated in 2003 in Geneva, with the second phase in Tunis in 2005, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) established a common vision on the Information Society, identifying its main principles and challenges towards a developing people-centered inclusive and development-oriented Information Society. The fundamental aim of WSIS is to bring together member states and all key industry actors, and foster the use of technology to improve peoples’ lives and to bridge the digital divides.

The UPU is a co-facilitator of the WSIS C7 “E-Business” Action line, in which Governments, international organizations and the private sector are encouraged to promote the use of e-business, and explore the use of e-business models in developing countries.