Geneva: Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, has assumed the presidency of the 2026 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum from South Africa during the opening session of the forum in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the WSIS Forum is the leading international platform for implementing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and advancing global digital cooperation, bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, academia, youth, and international organizations.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindi is chairing the 2026 forum, overseeing high-level sessions and ministerial tracks, guiding strategic discussions, supervising the forum's proceedings in coordination with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretariat, representing the forum at official events, and presenting the presidency's report at the closing session.
In his inaugural address as forum president, Hindi expressed Egypt's pride in assuming the presidency of the 2026 WSIS Forum and thanked the ITU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and other UN partners for their continued leadership in advancing the WSIS process. He also thanked all stakeholders whose commitment has made the forum a unique platform for inclusive dialogue and international cooperation.
Hindi praised South Africa's presidency of the 2025 forum under Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi, affirming Egypt's commitment to building on the achievements of the previous presidency and advancing the next phase of the WSIS process. He said the 20-year review of the WSIS outcomes reaffirmed that the summit's vision remains the cornerstone of international digital cooperation, stressing that the challenge now lies not in redefining the vision but in accelerating its implementation amid unprecedented technological change.
The minister noted that digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are rapidly transforming economies and societies, creating significant opportunities to support sustainable development, improve public services, expand access to education and healthcare, and foster innovation and economic growth. He stressed the importance of ensuring that digital progress is inclusive, trustworthy, and accessible to all.
Hindi said Egypt, as forum president, is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that the next phase of the WSIS process is driven by practical cooperation and measurable outcomes through an open, inclusive, and multi-stakeholder dialogue involving governments, the private sector, the technical community, academia, civil society, and international organizations. He highlighted Egypt's priorities, including bridging the digital divide, strengthening digital capacities, promoting the responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence, expanding digital public infrastructure, and mobilizing sustainable financing to enable developing countries to participate fully in the global digital economy.
He stressed that Egypt views its presidency as a platform for building consensus and strengthening partnerships across regions and sectors, adding that the success of its presidency will be measured by the partnerships forged and tangible results achieved in advancing digital development while ensuring that no one is left behind. Following his remarks, Hindi presented commemorative shields to Doreen Bogdan-Martin in recognition of the ITU's efforts to advance international digital cooperation, and to Solly Malatsi in appreciation of South Africa's leadership during the 2025 forum.
The opening session was attended by Alar Karis, Zhaslan Madiyev, Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Alaa Hegazy, National Telecom Regulatory Authority CEO Mohamed Shamroukh, senior Egyptian communications officials, ministers, ambassadors, government officials, executives of global technology companies, representatives of civil society organizations and international organizations, and academics from around the world.
On the sidelines of the opening session, Hindi and Bogdan-Martin inaugurated the accompanying exhibition showcasing initiatives and partnerships supporting inclusive digital development. The 2026 edition of the forum is the first to be held following the 20-year review of the WSIS process and will focus on translating the review's outcomes 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 narrowing the digital divide, while promoting multi-stakeholder responses to emerging digital challenges. Egypt's selection to chair the forum reflects its longstanding strategic partnership with the ITU, its active contribution to the WSIS process since its launch more than two decades ago, and its leading role in advancing digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and capacity building at the Arab, African, and international levels.
It also provides Egypt with an opportunity to promote the priorities of Arab and developing countries on a high-level global platform and contribute to shaping the future of international digital cooperation.