Creating the conditions to expand Internet access requires decisive action from governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can they help close the global digital divide? By adopting new policy approaches that support community-centered connectivity solutions and meaningful connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The WTDC is a conference hosted by the ITU every four years, which sets the development agenda for the next four years (2026-2029 for WTDC-25<\/a>). WTDC is a non-treaty conference, and doesn\u2019t provide regulatory outcomes. Rather, Member States adopt a four-year action plan to focus the work on the ITU Members and Board of Directors to realize the Development Sector\u2019s goal of bridging the digital divide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an ITU-D Sector Member, the Internet Society will be present at the WTDC-25 with a strong focus on supporting Internet infrastructure development, particularly in least-developed countries, small island developing states, and landlocked developing countries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The two-week-long conference will serve as a discussion forum on the opportunities and challenges of bridging the digital divide. It will also act as a catalyst for partnership and investment in infrastructure development. The ITU-D priorities of affordable connectivity, an enabling policy and regulatory environment, resource mobilization and international cooperation, and inclusive and secure telecommunications\/ICTs for sustainable development closely align with the Internet Society\u2019s strategic objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will work to ensure that the conference’s outcomes lay the foundations for connecting the unconnected, providing meaningful connectivity, ensuring local Internet stability and resilience, and strengthening local Internet ecosystems. We\u2019ll do so by promoting policies and language compatible with this enabling environment and by working with ITU Members to promote open and transparent policy and regulatory processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The priority topics of our delegation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fostering enabling policies locally is key to connecting the unconnected, providing meaningful connectivity, and ensuring local Internet stability and resilience. In the upcoming weeks, we will publish the WTDC-25 Resolution Matrix, which presents the Internet Society\u2019s positions on key issues and helps policymakers make informed decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Does the WTDC-25 Matter?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Our Priorities at WTDC-25<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
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Get Involved<\/h6>\n\n\n\n