September 30, 2025 – Sixty-eight (68) youth leaders from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region have come together to submit a Joint Letter on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft. Facilitated by NetMission.Asia, the submission marks a milestone in collective youth advocacy, bringing forward concrete recommendations for the WSIS+20 Review process.
A Collective Process
The Joint Letter is the outcome of a robust, region-wide consultation. Between September 3–15, more than 120 written comments were received from 26 youth leaders across 18 economies, including Cambodia, China, Fiji, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, Samoa, South Korea, and Tonga. These inputs were consolidated and refined during a 2.5-hour live editing session on September 24, attended by 17 youth participants.
This transparent and participatory process demonstrates the strong commitment of young people in the region to contribute meaningfully to Internet governance. It highlighted the strength of youth collaboration: diverse voices across the region came together to shape direction, work through terminology, and ensure the document truly reflects shared values. From technical considerations like Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and environmental sustainability, to nuanced debates on equity language, the session demonstrated the capacity of young people to navigate complexity and reach consensus.
Key Messages of the Joint Letter
The 3-page letter emphasizes three central priorities:
| 1. Recognizing youth as a distinct stakeholder group beyond beneficiaries Youth must be treated as co-creators in Internet governance. We call for explicit recognition of youth as a stakeholder group, the recognition of work and commitment to support all “NRIs” through an acronym or terminology that is inclusive of “National, Sub-Regional, Regional, and Youth IGF initiatives,” and the creation of leadership pathways such as youth representation in delegations and a dedicated Youth Council. |
| 2. Closing the digital divide with gender, linguistic & cultural diversity Digital inclusion must address not only connectivity, but also gender, linguistic, cultural, and geographic equity. We call for greater focus on rural and remote communities, stronger commitments to linguistic accessibility, and targeted digital literacy initiatives to enable APAC youth to fully benefit from social and economic development and civic participation. |
| 3. Building Responsible Innovation and Equity for Future Generations Emerging technologies must advance ethically, inclusively, and sustainably. We call for youth engagement in capacity building, research, and advocacy, as well as the adoption of frameworks to measure and minimize the environmental impact of digital infrastructure. |
Why This Matters
While youth are briefly acknowledged for their contribution in the WSIS+20 Zero Draft’s preamble, they remain absent from key sections on multistakeholder participation. This omission underscores the need for stronger recognition of youth as equal partners in shaping the digital future.
Looking Ahead
With the Joint Letter now submitted to the WSIS+20 Review process, APAC youth reaffirm their readiness to take part not just as consultees, but as co-creators and leaders in the global Internet governance ecosystem.
Written by Jenna Fung, Bea Guevarra, and Socheata Sokhachan