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On Friday, 18 September 2026 at 10:15–11:15 EDT (14:15–15:15 UTC), the United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) hosts ‘UNGIS: Stronger Together — Advancing Digital Cooperation Across the UN System‘, a hybrid thematic session of the WSIS Forum 2026, in NYC.
As digital transformation reshapes societies and economies, and the UN system reflects on becoming more efficient, agile and responsive, stronger coordination across UN institutions matters more. UNGIS is the inter-agency mechanism advancing coherent and inclusive digital cooperation, and the WSIS+20 review reaffirmed its relevance. Since the WSIS+20 Resolution (A/RES/80/173), UNGIS has set up the Task Force on Strengthening Financial Mechanisms for Digital Development, launched the Multistakeholder Consultation Group, submitted the Joint Implementation Road Map for WSIS–GDC Coherence to the 29th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD), and welcomed UNICRI, UNODA, UNSSC and UN-OHRLLS as new members.
The session will present examples of inter-agency collaboration in connectivity, digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, capacity development, data cooperation and emerging technologies, and discuss how UNGIS can support implementation of the WSIS+20 Outcome Document and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), with contributions from UN entities, Member States, the private sector, civil society, academia and technical communities on multistakeholder partnerships and coordinated support to countries.
PANELLISTS
Suela Janina – Ambassador & Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations
Nur Sulyna Abdullah – Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Cynthia Lesufi – Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of South Africa (remote)
Robert Opp – Chief Digital Officer, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Juan José Martinez Badillo – Chief of the UNCTAD New York Office, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Jayathma Wickramanayake – Senior Advisor, UN Women
Li Zhou – Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Stela Mocan – Practice Manager, Digital Government, World Bank
Felix Guimard – Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
MODERATOR
Gitanjali Sah – Head, WSIS and Stakeholder Engagement Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
#WSIS #WSIS20 #GlobalDigitalCompact #DigitalCooperation