The WSIS Forum 2015 represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community. The WSIS Forum, co-organized by ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD, in close collaboration with all WSIS Action Line Facilitators/Co-Facilitators (UNDESA, FAO, UNEP, WHO, UN Women, WIPO, WFP, ILO, WMO, UN, ITC, UPU, UNODC, UNICEF and UN Regional Commissions) has proven to be an efficient mechanism for coordination of multistakeholder implementation activities, information exchange, creation of knowledge, sharing of best practices and continues to provide assistance in developing multistakeholder and public/private partnerships to advance development goals. This forum will provide structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation.

The WSIS Forum 2015 is held from 25 to 29 May 2015. This event builds upon the tradition of annual WSIS May meetings, and its format is the result of open consultations with all WSIS Stakeholders. Emerging trends in 11 WSIS Action Lines both in terms of Policy and Technology are produced as an Outcome of WSIS Forum in a multistakeholder environment on an annual basis. The WSIS Forum 2015 Open Consultation Process on the Thematic Aspects and Innovations on the Format aims at ensuring the participatory and inclusive spirit of the WSIS Forum 2015 by actively engaging governments, civil society, the private sector and intergovernmental organizations in the preparatory process. The Agenda and Programme http://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2015/Agenda/ of the WSIS Forum is built on the basis of the official submissions received during the Open Consultation Process.

The Opening Segment of the Forum took place on 26 May 2015 and included the Opening Ceremony with welcome remarks made by Mr Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General (Video Message), and Mr Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of ITU. Other events of the segment were Opening Session, High-Level Policy Statements, Handing over of WSIS Prizes.

Mr. Rashid Ismailov, Deputy Minister of Telecom and Mass Communication of the RF, made a policy statement on behalf of the Russian Federation.

Dr. Yuri Hohlov, Chairman of the Board of the Institute of the Information Society, and Dr. Tatiana Ershova, IIS General Director, are participating in the events of the Forum.