By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has officially inaugurated the WSIS
Forum 2026 Exhibition, bringing together more than 40 global stakeholders to
showcase digital innovations and technologies shaping the future of the
information society.
The
exhibition opening was led by ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, who
described the 2026 edition of the World Summit on the Information Society
(WSIS) Forum as the beginning of a new chapter for global digital cooperation
following the renewal of its mandate through 2035.
The
exhibition features initiatives from governments, international organizations,
private sector players, innovators and technology stakeholders demonstrating
solutions aimed at advancing digital inclusion, connectivity and sustainable
development.
Bogdan-Martin
said the renewed WSIS mandate comes at a time when digital technologies have
become deeply integrated into societies, creating both new opportunities and
challenges linked to rapid technological change and evolving geopolitical
realities.
She
emphasized that technology can only deliver meaningful benefits when global
stakeholders work collectively to ensure digital transformation remains
human-centred and focused on improving lives.
For
more than two decades, WSIS has served as a global platform for advancing
digital cooperation, bringing together governments, industry, civil society,
academia and technical communities to address challenges related to
connectivity, digital inclusion and responsible technology development.
The
ITU Secretary-General noted that the WSIS process has helped translate the
principle of people-focused digital development into action by supporting
initiatives that create value for communities and contribute to sustainable
development.
The
WSIS Forum 2026 Exhibition forms part of broader discussions taking place in
Geneva on the future of digital cooperation, with stakeholders exploring
pathways to strengthen digital infrastructure, expand access to technology and
harness emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, for the
benefit of humanity.
