Kenya’s UN Envoy Erastus Lokaale Appointed Co-Facilitator for WSIS+20 Global Review
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Erastus Ekitela Lokaale, has been named co-facilitator of a panel reviewing the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
The appointment was announced on Tuesday by Korir Sing’oei, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lokaale will co-lead the process alongside Rytis Paulauskas, Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Lokaale’s primary role will involve coordinating intergovernmental consultations to finalize the framework for the General Assembly’s review of the WSIS outcomes. This high-level review, known as WSIS+20, will take place from July 7–11, 2025, at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland.
Philemon Yang, a representative of UN Member States and Observers, expressed gratitude to Lokaale and Paulauskas for accepting the responsibility. He urged them to work collaboratively with Member States and ensure the participation of key stakeholders, as outlined in the resolution.
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The WSIS+20 meeting will evaluate progress made over the last two decades, address ongoing challenges, and develop strategies to advance inclusive, development-focused information societies.
Established by the United Nations, WSIS seeks to create a “people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.” It focuses on bridging the digital divide, expanding access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), and leveraging these tools for sustainable development.
The summit was held in two phases:
- Geneva Phase (2003): Representatives from 175 countries adopted the Declaration of Principles and set targets, including connecting 50% of the global population to the Internet by 2015.
- Tunis Phase (2005): This phase addressed unresolved issues such as internet governance and funding mechanisms while advancing the Geneva Agreements.
WSIS continues to play a critical role in fostering global collaboration to achieve a more inclusive digital future.
Kenya’s UN Envoy Erastus Lokaale Appointed Co-Facilitator for WSIS+20 Global Review
