In January 2026, Switzerland assumed the Chairship of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), succeeding Estonia and building on the work of previous FOC Chairships to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms online. Switzerland’s Chairship comes at a critical juncture when multistakeholder approaches are under pressure, and as the world faces continued challenges to Internet freedom, digital inclusion, and the need to ensure rights-respecting governance of emerging technologies.
2026 also marks a decisive year for global digital governance. Key UN-anchored processes, including the World Summit on the Information Society 20-year review (WSIS+20) follow-up, the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, will define the frameworks shaping digital cooperation for the decade ahead.
On assuming the Chairship, Bernard Maissen, Secretary of State, Director of the Federal Office of Communications, Switzerland said:
“We are fully aware that this role is both an honor and a responsibility. Switzerland strives to remain consistent in promoting an inclusive, transparent, and coherent multistakeholder approach to digital governance. This calls for continued coordination and mutual reinforcement among the Chairship, the Steering Committee, the FOC Members, the Advisory Network, and the Support Unit.”
2026 Program of Action: Priorities for the Year Ahead
Each year, the incoming Chair develops a Program of Action (PoA), in consultation with FOC Members and the FOC Advisory Network. The 2026 PoA, launched at the Chairship handover in December 2025, sets out Switzerland’s vision for the Coalition’s work this year.
The 2026 priorities focus on advancing the FOC’s mission in a rapidly evolving digital policy landscape through three interconnected priorities:
- Navigating and shaping global digital governance processes – Strengthening the FOC’s diplomatic engagement and coherence across major multilateral, and multistakeholder tracks, such as the implementation of WSIS+20 outcomes, and the Pact for the Future and the GDC, including the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
- Addressing ongoing challenges to Internet freedom – Building on previous FOC work to advance rights-respecting technology governance, from AI and DPI to information integrity, through coordinated statements, capacity building, and multistakeholder collaboration.
- Operationalising multistakeholder approaches – Demonstrating how inclusive participation enhances legitimacy and outcomes in digital policymaking, with a focus on improving engagement of under-represented stakeholders and outreach to Global South governments and non-governmental actors.
These priorities reflect the Coalition’s enduring commitment to an open, free, secure, and human rights-centred digital environment. Under the Swiss Chairship, the Freedom Online Coalition will build on the achievements of previous years and advance collective efforts to protect human rights online, drawing on Switzerland’s longstanding role as an FOC Steering Committee member, its active engagement in global digital governance, and its leadership in the WSIS+20 review process.
2026 FOC Steering Committee
Switzerland will be supported by the 2026 FOC Steering Committee cohort, comprising Armenia, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Together, these Members will contribute their expertise and perspectives to help drive forward the strategic priorities of the 2026 Program of Action.
FOC Advisory Network
In addition, the Coalition will continue to be supported by the FOC Advisory Network, which includes 30 representatives from civil society, academia, the technical community, and the private sector. The Advisory Network is currently co-Chaired by Elonnai Hickok (Global Network Initiative), Veronica Ferrari (Association for Progressive Communications), and ‘Gbenga Sesan (Paradigm Initiative). A selection process for a new Advisory Network cohort will be carried out in spring 2026.
