Egypt has assumed the presidency of the 2026 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum from South Africa during the opening session of the global event in Geneva, Switzerland, reinforcing its role in shaping international digital cooperation.
Represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt took over the presidency of the forum, the world's leading platform for advancing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and promoting multistakeholder collaboration on digital development.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindi, who is chairing the 2026 forum, will oversee its high-level sessions and ministerial tracks, guide strategic discussions in coordination with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat, represent the forum at official events and present the presidency's final report at the closing session.
In his inaugural address, Hindi said Egypt was proud to assume the presidency and thanked the ITU, UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and other UN partners for their continued support in advancing the WSIS process.
He also praised South Africa's leadership of the 2025 forum under Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi, pledging to build on the achievements of the previous presidency.
Hindi said the recently concluded 20-year review of the WSIS process reaffirmed that the summit's vision remains central to global digital cooperation, stressing that the priority is now to accelerate implementation in response to rapid technological change.
He highlighted the growing impact of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in transforming economies and societies, while emphasizing the need to ensure that technological progress remains inclusive, secure and accessible to all.
As forum president, Egypt will work closely with governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, the technical community and international organizations to advance practical cooperation and deliver measurable outcomes, Hindi said.
He outlined Egypt's priorities for the presidency, including narrowing the digital divide, strengthening digital skills, promoting the responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence, expanding digital public infrastructure and mobilizing sustainable financing to support developing countries' participation in the global digital economy.
Hindi said Egypt views its presidency as an opportunity to foster international consensus and strengthen partnerships across regions and sectors, adding that its success would be measured by tangible progress in advancing inclusive digital development.
Following his address, Hindi presented commemorative shields to ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin in recognition of the organization's efforts to promote global digital cooperation and to South African Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi for leading the 2025 forum.
On the sidelines of the opening session, Hindi and Bogdan-Martin inaugurated the forum's accompanying exhibition, which showcases initiatives and partnerships supporting inclusive digital development.
The 2026 edition is the first WSIS Forum to be held following the 20-year review of the summit's outcomes and will focus on translating those commitments into practical actions through 2035.
The forum's agenda includes discussions on digital infrastructure, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, online safety, misinformation, data governance and efforts to bridge the digital divide.
Egypt's selection to chair the forum reflects its longstanding partnership with the ITU, its active role in the WSIS process since its launch more than two decades ago, and its growing contribution to digital transformation, artificial intelligence and capacity-building initiatives at the Arab, African and global levels.
Follow the latest news on Google News
