Closing the digital divide remains an obligation demanding continuously joint efforts
On Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2025 the United Nations General Assembly have agreed on the Outcome Document of the WSIS +20 Review and established a permanent mandate for the Internet Governance Forum. The decision was preceded by a comprehensive review of the implementation of the commitments made at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2005, in which we participated as the Digital Opportunities Foundation. During the final two-day consultations, the Federal Government was represented by the Minister for Digitalisation and State Modernisation, Dr. Karsten Wildberger.
The WSIS 20+ outcome document highlights what has been achieved over the past 20 years, but also what challenges lie ahead of us. Although the number of internet users worldwide has risen to around 6 billion over the past 20 years, around one third of the world's population still has no access to the internet. There are also major differences in terms of the ability to use digital services safely and responsibly.
The teaching of the necessary skills must continue to be promoted, and further efforts are needed to protect vulnerable groups and uphold human rights in the digital space. Ministers from around the world urged that the digital divide be closed and that the promises of the World Summit on the Information Society be translated into real benefits for all. The Digital Opportunities Foundation’s purpose is to contribute to achieve these tasks also in the future.