Dr. Gurvirender Tejay's Vision for a Secure and Inclusive Digital Future at WSIS+20
- Julia Costin
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
The digital world is evolving rapidly, shaping economies and societies in ways never seen before. At the United Nations High-Level Meeting on WSIS+20, held in December 2025, Dr. Gurvirender Tejay, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Cyber Qubits, shared a compelling vision for a digital future that is secure, inclusive, and sustainable. Speaking on behalf of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Dr. Tejay outlined key priorities that must guide global efforts to build a trustworthy and equitable digital society.
Reflecting on Two Decades of Digital Progress
The WSIS+20 meeting marked 20 years since the original World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This milestone provided an opportunity to assess how far the global community has come in creating a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information society. Dr. Tejay emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the digital transformation brings new challenges that require urgent attention.
The digital economy now touches every aspect of life, from education and healthcare to governance and commerce. Yet, the benefits of this transformation are unevenly distributed. Dr. Tejay pointed out that closing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology and training remain critical tasks.
Five Priorities for a Secure Digital Future
Dr. Tejay highlighted five essential priorities that must shape policies and actions worldwide to secure a resilient and inclusive digital future:
Evidence-based policymaking
Decisions about digital governance and development should rely on solid data and research. This approach helps create policies that are effective, adaptable, and responsive to real-world challenges.
Trust and security
Digital trust is the foundation of all online interactions. Strengthening cybersecurity and protecting privacy are necessary to build confidence among users and organizations alike.
Digital equity
Access to digital tools and opportunities must be fair and inclusive. This means addressing barriers faced by marginalized communities and ensuring everyone can participate in the digital economy.
Ethics by design
Technologies, especially artificial intelligence, should be developed with ethical considerations at their core. This helps prevent harm and promotes fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Sustainable digital education
Preparing the workforce for the digital age requires ongoing education and training. This priority focuses on building skills that match the evolving demands of technology-driven industries.
Addressing the Cybersecurity Workforce Gap
One of the pressing issues Dr. Tejay raised is the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals. As cyber threats grow in complexity and frequency, the need for skilled experts becomes more urgent. Dr. Tejay stressed that expanding access to cybersecurity education and creating clear career pathways are vital steps to close this gap.
By investing in workforce readiness, countries can enhance their resilience against cyberattacks and protect critical infrastructure. This also supports economic growth by enabling businesses to operate securely in the digital environment.
The Role of Ethical Design in Technology
Ethical design is not just a theoretical concept but a practical necessity. Dr. Tejay explained that as artificial intelligence and intelligent systems become more integrated into daily life, they must be built to respect human rights and promote social good.
For example, AI algorithms used in hiring or lending decisions should be transparent and free from bias. Embedding ethics into technology development helps prevent unintended consequences and builds public trust.
Historic Outcomes from WSIS+20
The WSIS+20 meeting produced several important outcomes that will influence the future of digital governance:
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was formally recognized as a United Nations body, ensuring a permanent platform for multistakeholder dialogue on Internet governance.
Cybersecurity, privacy, and digital trust were elevated as global priorities, reflecting their critical role in sustainable development.
The meeting aligned its goals with the Global Digital Compact, a framework aimed at fostering cooperation and shared responsibility in the digital space.
These outcomes underscore the growing recognition that digital issues require coordinated international action and inclusive participation.
Building a Resilient and Inclusive Digital Future
Dr. Tejay’s vision calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to work together to build a digital future that benefits everyone. This means prioritizing security and trust, ensuring fair access to technology, and embedding ethics in every stage of digital innovation.
Education plays a central role in this effort. By equipping people with the skills needed for the digital economy, societies can create opportunities for all and strengthen their ability to respond to emerging challenges.
The digital transformation offers immense potential, but it also demands responsibility. Dr. Tejay’s message at WSIS+20 reminds us that the choices made today will shape the digital world for decades to come.
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