WSIS+20 process in the home stretch
The WSIS+20 process is on the home stretch.[1] On November 4, 2025, the revised draft (WSIS+20 Rev.1)[2] was published, which was the subject of stakeholder consultations and informal government negotiations in the following weeks. The chapter on Internet governance still contains the proposal to make the IGF a permanent UN body. "Enhanced cooperation" and "financing" remain controversial. The technical community criticized the fact that the rejection of "state-controlled and fragmented Internet architecture" contained in the zero draft had been reduced to a general criticism of Internet fragmentation. A second revised version (WSIS+20 Rev.2) is expected on December 2, 2025. This will be the subject of the final negotiations starting on December 9, 2025, in New York. The "WSIS+20 Output Document" is to be adopted on December 17, 2025, by a "High Level Meeting" within the framework of the 80th UN General Assembly.
UNCSTD discusses the future of AI and data governance
On November 17 and 18, 2025, the UN Commission on Science and Technology (UNCSTD) met in Geneva to discuss the future of AI, progress made by the UNCSTD Working Group on Data Governance (WGDG), and WSIS+20.[3] Manuel Morena, Deputy Director-General of UNCTAD, called forto focus, among other things, the UNCSTD more on implementing the four key principles of AI – "explainability, transparency, ethics, and accountability"[4]. UNCSTD Chair Muhammadou Ka reported on the WGDG, which is discussing four topics: 1. Basic principles for data governance, 2. Interoperability between data governance systems, 3. Fair distribution of profits from the data economy, and 4. Promotion of secure and trustworthy cross-border data flows.[5] The WGDG comprises 27 governments and 27 non-governmental representatives. It must submit a final report by the 29th UNCSTD meeting at the end of April 2026.[6]
EU Commission presents "Digital Omnibus" to simplify the European digital regulatory framework
On November 19, 2025, the EU Commission announced its "Digital Omnibus," which aims to simplify the European digital regulatory framework. Regulations for AI will be extended over time, and regulations on cybersecurity and data protection will be streamlined. In addition to "personal wallets,," a "business wallet" is to be introduced which will offer companies a uniform digital identity and simplify bureaucratic procedures for cross-border business activities in the EU. The EU expects the "Simplification of Regulation" to save €5 billion by 2029, with EU Business Wallets saving €150 billion per year.[7] Critics of the "digital omnibus" accuse the EU Commission of bowing to pressure from US tech companies.[8] US President Trump has threatened to take action against European digital laws that burden US companies. However, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which are the primary targets of US criticism alongside the General Data Protection Regulation, are not affected by the Digital Omnibus.
Xi Jinping renews proposal for "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation" (WAICO)
On November 1, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jiping reiterated his proposal for the creation of a "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization" (WAICO) at the 32nd APEC Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea.[9] The WAICO is primarily intended to give developing countries access to AI developments and to cooperate with the new UN AI bodies – the International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.[10] The WAICO is to be established as an NGO based in Shanghai, modeled on the World Internet Conference (WIC). The WIC is headed by the Cyberadministration of China (CAC), which reports directly to President Xi Jinping. However, the proposal is not included in the 2025 APEC Leaders' Gyeongju Declaration.[11] It does state, however: "We encourage economies to explore collaborative approaches toward the benefits of AI transformation for and meaningful participation by all in the AI-driven economy. ...We underscore the importance of bridging digital divides, improving digital connectivity, enhancing digital literacy, and making the benefits of digital transformation accessible to all, including by prioritizing capacity building, policies that build digital skills and competencies, and greater public-private collaboration. We also emphasize the importance of strengthening trust and confidence in the digital and AI ecosystem." The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) comprises 21 countries, including the US. China will take over the APEC chairmanship in 2026.
Lisbon Web Summit: Meeting place for innovation and digital policy
The annual Lisbon Web Summit took place from November 10 to 14, 2025.[12] Founded in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave, the conference has grown into one of the world's largest internet conferences, now attracting over 70,000 participants. The Web Summit is primarily a roadshow for companies and start-ups. The EU Commission has been a strong supporter of the conference for years and was represented in 2025 by EU Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, who announced the "digital omnibus" on a panel.[13] German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger was also in Lisbon.[14] In his speech, he said: "Innovation and technology are not 'nice to have'. They are the engine of growth and the basis for a better future."[15]
European Summit on Digital Sovereignty: Innovation before regulation
On November 18, 2025, the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty took place in Berlin. The event, initiated by French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz, aimed to strengthen Europe's self-determination in the digital world. If the 450 million European consumers and their 27 governments were to primarily purchase and use European digital services, opportunities would arise for the development of European digital champions that could compete with American and Chinese tech companies. The goal should be achieved not through isolationism, but through European innovation. Among other things, this would require simplifying digital legislation in Europe . "First innovate, then regulate," demanded Chancellor Merz. The "Declaration for European Digital Sovereignty," signed by all EU states, states, among other things: "Our priorities should focus on promoting European-based solutions by creating a supportive investment climate as well as a clear, predictable, and fair regulatory framework that encourages innovation and competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises but also with regard to the strategic role large companies can play in value chains."[16]
UN committee agrees on permanent mechanism for cybersecurity
On November 7, 2025, the First Committee of the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) agreed on numerous resolutions, including three relating to cybersecurity. It was unanimously approved to transform the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) into a Permanent Mechanism on Cybersecurity.[17] The resolution on autonomous weapon systems calls on the GGE LAWS to commence formal negotiations for an international treaty as soon as possible.[18] In the resolution on AI in the military domain, it was decided to hold three days of informal consultations in Geneva in spring 2026.[19]
G20 summit in Johannesburg: Loss of significance as a forum for global digital policy
The G20, which for years played an important role in global agreements on the digital economy – including the G20 AI Principles (2019) and the G20/OECD agreement on a global digital tax (2021) – has lost much of its significance in 2025. The US canceled its participation in the summit meeting on November 22 and 23 in Johannesburg. Russia and China were not represented by their presidents. The "G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders’ Declaration"[20] is comprehensive, but contains more platitudes such as the commitment in paragraph 108: "We recognize the importance of building safety, resilience, security, and trust and creating an enabling, open, fair, non-discriminatory, and sustainable digital economy that puts humans and their development at the center and enables the protection, promotion, and full enjoyment of human rights."
WTDC-25 ends with the "Baku Declaration" for universal connectivity
The ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25), which takes place every four years, ended on November 28, 2025, with the "Baku Declaration and Action Plan." Around 2 billion people are still offline. WTDC-25, said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Marin, "has brought us closer to our goal of making connectivity universal, meaningful, and affordable for everyone, everywhere in this decade." [21]
[1] https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20
[2] https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/Rev1/WSIS%2B20_Rev1_071125_clean.pdf
[3] https://unctad.org/meeting/commission-science-and-technology-development-2025-2026-inter-sessional-panel
[4] https://unctad.org/osgstatement/un-commission-science-and-technology-development-inter-sessional-panel
[5] https://unctad.org/system/files/non-official-document/cstd2025-26_isp_wgdgprogress_s01_vicechair_en.pdf
[6] https://unctad.org/meeting/fourth-meeting-un-cstd-multi-stakeholder-working-group-data-governance-all-levels
[7] https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/simpler-eu-digital-rules-and-new-digital-wallets-save-billions-businesses-and-boost-innovation
[8] https://netzpolitik.org/2025/digitaler-omnibus-groesster-rueckschritt-fuer-digitale-grundrechte-in-der-geschichte-der-eu/
[9] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202511/t20251101_11745430.html
[10] https://markets.financialcontent.com/wral/article/tokenring-2025-11-1-china-unveils-ambitious-bid-for-global-ai-governance-with-proposed-world-ai-cooperation-organization
[11] https://www.apec.org/meeting-papers/leaders-declarations/2025/2025-apec-leaders--gyeongju-declaration
[13] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/henna-virkkunen_a-full-and-inspiring-day-in-lisbon-at-web-activity-7394102168603103232-V2Wf/
[14] https://websummit.com/attendees/lis25/26e42309-756a-41b8-a2a4-08460a368dc8/karsten-wildberger/
[15] https://bmds.bund.de/aktuelles/aktuelle-meldungen/detail/minister-wildberger-beim-web-summit
[16] https://cdn.table.media/assets/europe/declaration-for-european-digital-sovereignty_final.pdf
[17] https://reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Disarmament-fora/1com/1com25/resolutions/L20.pdf
[18] https://reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Disarmament-fora/1com/1com25/resolutions/L41_corrected.pdf
[19] https://reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documents/Disarmament-fora/1com/1com25/resolutions/L46.pdf
[20] https://g20.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/V2-22-November-Final-G20-South-Africa-Summit-22-23-November-.pdf
[21] https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2025-11-28-WTDC-closing.aspx
