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IGF 2023 WS #398 Harmonization of Regulations for a Connected World

    Subtheme

    Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
    Governing Digital Economy
    Harmonising Global Digital Infrastructure

    Organizer 1: Verengai Mabika, ISOC
    Organizer 2: Aretha Mare, Smart Africa
    Organizer 3: Denyse NTAGANDA, Smart Africa

    Speaker 1: Thelma QUAYE, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
    Speaker 2: Alex Ntale, Private Sector, African Group
    Speaker 3: Verengai Mabika, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group

    Moderator

    Verengai Mabika, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group

    Online Moderator

    Denyse NTAGANDA, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group

    Rapporteur

    Aretha Mare, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group

    Format

    Debate - 60 Min

    Policy Question(s)

    A. The internet transcends national boundaries, making it difficult to apply traditional jurisdictional frameworks; Is the harmonization, enforcement and Compliance of regulations well addressed to fix issues when it comes to Digital and data governance and cross border data flows?

    B. Regulations alone may not adequately capture the diverse perspectives and expertise required for effective governance. What are highlights on collaboration and cooperation of different bodies involved or concerned in regulation in line with digital governance?

    C. What is the best approach to promote the collaboration among different entities and decision makers to promote harmonization of policies?

    What will participants gain from attending this session? We will
    - Share the views of Regulators, Policy makers, and decision makers on the benefits of collaborating in strengthening the digital ecosystem.
    - Demonstrate a methodology for implementation of digital governance for Smart Africa Members States
    - Deliver comprehensive recommendations on regulations for digital governance

    Description:

    Digital governance refers to the process of managing and regulating the use of digital technologies and resources within a specific jurisdiction or organization. It encompasses the policies, structures, processes, and strategies that govern the digital realm, including data, information, communication, and technology.

    In the context of government, digital governance focuses on leveraging technology to enhance the delivery of public services, improve administrative processes, and promote transparency and citizen engagement. It involves the development and implementation of frameworks that guide the use of digital tools, platforms, and data to ensure effective and responsible governance.

    Overall, digital governance aims to harness the transformative power of digital technologies to enhance governance processes, improve public service delivery, foster innovation, and enable sustainable development in the digital age.

    This session seeks to explore the use of desktop research and survey done to identify digital gaps in developing nations.

    Expected Outcomes

    - Cooperation and collaboration mechanisms
    - Harmonization of regulations and policies for digital governance
    - Evaluation of the regulation status in digital governance area, for Africa region
    - Addressing the issues in cross border initiatives and associated regulations

    Hybrid Format: While contacting speakers, we mention to them that sessions will be hybrid and some committed to onsite while others preferred the online participation; this is key for us to have the right audience and speakers as the hybrid format remove the barrier of budget and constraint of time for participant having others commitments not allowing them to be physically in Kyoto.

    The session will have the moderator onsite and 3 of 4 speakers will also be onsite, a link will be shared for other participants to follow online.

    - With the support of our communication team, a teaser will be on Smart Africa social media, before the event as a reminder to our stakeholders, this will help in the attendance turn up.