The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
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>> MODERATOR: Welcome to high‑level session 4. It has two Segments. This is the first Segment, excuse me. My name is Thomas Schneider, I work for the Government. I have been here and am a WSIS dinosaur. This session is not about me, but about content and sharing views.
This session is about what is coming in the next few months until the end of next year with the 20‑year review process with the Information Society of course, integrated in all of the reflections that will be made during the next months, also newer elements and developments like the Global Digital Compact and how to implement this. This session will focus on assessing progress and envisioning the future of digital Governance and hopefully it will serve as a platform to reflect on past achievements, identify gaps, strategize the way forward for Global digital cooperation. I have a distinguished number of speakers here I will quickly like to present to you first His Excellency, Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi, Governor of communications Space and Technology Commission
of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Nice host.
Mr. Junhua Li, UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Economic and Social Affairs. And Ms. Nthati Moorosi Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation of Lesotho. His Excellency, Mr. Takuo Imagawa Vice‑Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications
from Japan. Then Ms. Sally Wentworth Chief Executive Officer of ISOC. And Mr. Shermatov Sherzod Minister of Development of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan. Then Mr. Stefan Schnorr State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital & Transport Germany. Ms. Jennifer Bachus Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy of the United States. And last but not least, looking forward to coming to your country next summer, His Excellency Mr. Torgeir Micaelsen, State Secretary of Digitalisation and Public Governance of Norway. Looking forward to hearing from all of you, and hearing thoughts about WSIS+20 and how to get there and what to want from the process in the coming few minutes. Of course, let us start with some introductory remarks by Mr. Junhua Li from Under‑Secretary‑General from UNDESA.
>> Junhua Li: Thank you Thomas ‑‑ Ambassador for giving me the floor. It is amazing to have such a distinguished panel to discuss the WSIS+20. First of all, let me say just a few words.
I would like to start by saying that on behalf of the United Nations and on behalf of the whole panel, to express our profound gratitude to the host country for the exceptional hospitality and excellent efforts in organizing this whole event.
As you said Mr. Moderator, we are at a critical moment for digital Governance. The recent adoption of the Global Digital Compact and the upcoming WSIS+20 Review next year present a unique opportunity for the Global community to shape our digital future in the coming decade. So UNDESA will serve as the Secretary in supporting the General Assembly President to prepare the WSIS+20 process. We are fully committed to coordinating all of the efforts with our partners and across the Sectors, particularly UN Groups on the Information Society to be chaired by identity and UNESCO. And this collaboration brings together the key partners like I mentioned ITU UNESCO and UNDP and UNCTA for a unified approach.
We're working closely to define the whole support process. But let me say, the IGF in this process plays a crucial role in our forthcoming review. It can certainly help to amplify and synthesize contributions from the diverse stakeholders to inform and provide guidance to the WSIS review and also the negotiation process in the final package. In all, our commitment is here and also our leaders for next year. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: I need to talk into the mic, that helps generally. Thank you dear Under‑Secretary‑General. Now we have a few questions that I would like to hear you reflect on. And as we have quite a big panel, which is followed by another panel and time is limited as we all know, the time limit for each intervention is not 30 minutes but three minutes. So I would like you to adhere or stick to the time because I'm sure we all have a lot to hear from all of you.
So let me start with question 1, which is the question ... about the most significant achievements since the WSIS Summit 20 years ago. And what lessons that can be learned when looking back almost 20 years from your point of view?
What are the biggest achievements and lessons learned. Let me first turn to your excellence Ms. Nthati Moorosi from Lesotho. Thank you.
>> Nthati Moorosi: Thank you very much Programme Director. I am really honoured to be sharing a stage with this Excellencies today. I want to start by acknowledging the work that IGF is doing as a platform that is rooted in the visionary principles of the World Summit.
As a country located in Africa, I feel like we in Africa, we in Lesotho are at different stages of achievements, since 20 years ago when the world Forum was held.
We have some milestones that are recordable. The policy framework, we have done wonderful work on that. We have the laws that are applicable. However, we still have big gaps, especially on the Cybersecurity, legal framework.
We find a lot of challenges, especially from the media fraternity. From time to time, they feel like we are taking their freedom of expression away from them.
However, we're happy to report that we have created recently the sectoral server incident response team, which is an effort to step forward in enhancing our national Cybersecurity assurance and securing a secure digital environment.
So the whole time since yesterday, I have been listening to different speakers talking about leaving no one behind.
And I stand here today, thinking about my own country that Lesotho as a country, compared with other countries, it is already left behind. Now, Lesotho, among themselves, the people that live in Lesotho, there's still such big digital gaps. Infrastructure‑wise, we have been able to achieve close to 95% plus.
But somebody talked about the fact that connection doesn't mean ‑‑ infrastructure doesn't mean that everyone is connected. Because of the challenges that have been highlighted, about infrastructure, about skills, about in Lesotho the biggest challenge is electricity. We don't have electricity to charge the smart devices people have.
We have connected 2% of the schools. Because at the moment as we are, we are still struggling to get students into the classrooms. We have students that share one classroom or host more than three grades to learn. And students that sit under the tree to learn.
For us, talking about schools, it is a long journey.
However, we're not discouraged, we're working hard to ensure that we take the baby steps and get our people connected. So in terms of what has been achieved, we have achieved some, but we still have a long way to go. And I'm worried about three minutes. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much, Minister.
Next, Germany, State Secretary, what have you achieved, what are the lessons that Germany has learned?
>> Stefan Schnorr: Thank you, Thomas and I want to thank Saudi Arabia for the hard work in organizing this year's IGF. We appreciate the efforts in making this events possible in such important times top to come to your question Thomas, on the World Summit on the Information Society, it was in my opinion, truly a milestone for the Internet Governance and for the digital cooperation worldwide. It laid the Foundation for the first comprehensive Global framework for digital cooperation.
The Summit is, in my opinion, still highly relevant, even if the wording of Information Society sounds a little bit outdated and the acronym WSIS is not familiar to everyone.
As I mentioned, the Summit is still important. It remains a cornerstone in fostering centered Digital Transformation. For two decades now, WSIS has provided essential rights for Global digital cooperation.
For example, the WSIS Action Lines continue to guide and inspire digital efforts worldwide. I think it is a clear testament for its long‑lasting impact.
And very important, WSIS was also the groundbreaking because it was the first time that non‑Governmental stakeholder, Private Sector, technical community, Academia, society worked side‑by‑side with the representatives of 175 Nations to shape the future for the digital cooperation.
This cooperation gave birth to the multistakeholder approach, a concept that we, Germany has been proud to support since its inception.
Perhaps, ladies and gentlemen, the most important and successful outcome of the WSIS is the Internet Governance, which has brought us all together here in Riyadh. What started as a Forum to discuss only technical aspects of Internet Governance, evolved to discuss all aspects. We have discussed 5G and now all of the relevant topics are discussed here at IGF. Therefore, no other event succeeds like IGF to bring together such diverse voices and stakeholder Groups and fosters such work in the digital world.
This is the right way to shape the future and the United Nations can be very proud to host such an influential platform for Global digital cooperation.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Let's turn again to our Under‑Secretary‑General from UNDESA, Mr. Junhua Li, what are the lessons learned? How do you see the biggest achievements and where?
>> Junhua Li: Thank you, Thomas. It is really a challenge to reflect 20 years' achievement. Within three minutes.
I would first reflect that the IGF itself is a crowning achievement for the WSIS process. IGF started with a mandate given by WSIS lists a very unique, only a Global premier Forum, brought to all stakeholders to engage with each other on a number of issues, just now as the Secretary mentioned it, the IGF started with a single event. Now, we have multidisciplined work tracks and thousands of participants, joining our discussion here and benefit. It is not only about the Government, it is also about Private Sector, Civil Society, technical communities, scientific Academias, and also the Groups of vulnerable Groups.
Most importantly, we have increasing number of the youth participants who helped us to define, to discuss the future of the digital process.
Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. We have another question that of course, after the achievements we need to look at the challenges, and regarding also the newest, the latest instruments. So my question number two is what are the main challenges in implementing the Global Digital Compact? And what role does the multistakeholder or should the multistakeholder approach play in tackling them? Sally Wentworth from ISOC.
>> Sally Wentworth: Thank you. I would like to thank Saudi Arabia for hosting us. It is a marvelous venue and a nice environment for this multistakeholder discussion.
The Global Digital Compact aspires to achieve an inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all.
For many of us here, some of the WSIS veterans, so to speak, this is a familiar theme, this is it a body of work many of us engaged in over the past 20 years. There are lessons learned from the past 20 years that will help us overcome the challenges of implementing that vision set out in the Global Digital Compact.
I draw on lessons related to connectivity. How is it that the world has made such impressive progress growing from 11 billion people connected in the original WSIS Summit to 5.4 billion people connected today?
I think what is clear is that it took a tremendous amount of collaboration by all stakeholders to achieve that result. I'm mindful of the question that ITU Secretary‑General Doreen Bogdan‑Martin brought to us, that despite that, are we satisfied? The answer is no. We won't be satisfied until the remaining populations are part of this digital society that we're building.
To do that, and if we're drawing lessons from the last 20 years, we must work together as stakeholders. That has really been the hallmark of the WSIS. That was actually the groundbreaking effort that took place during the WSIS Summit in 2003 and 2005.
I remember very well how hard we all worked from Governments and Civil Society, Private Sector, the technical community, to figure out how we would work together to achieve the results.
And so as we look forward to how we implement the Global Digital Compact and look toward the WSIS+20, it is crucial that we remain committed to the model. The model that brings the expertise from all parts of our society to the table and harnesses that is the model that will make us successful.
It is the way we will move to connect the last 2.6 billion people and ensure that they come online to a world that is safe, secure, and protects them in the digital environment.
So for us, at the Internet Society, it is absolutely critical that the processes we set up to review the WSIS 20 years later and implement the Global Digital Compact really do remain firmly grounded in the multistakeholder model that has delivered us a tremendous amount of progress in the last 20 years and has also given us a taste of what's possible, if we really lean into that.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much, turn now to His Excellency Mr. What are the ‑‑ Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi. What does this hold for us.
>> Mohammed Saud Al TAMIMI: I want to thank our team to make sure we are gathering here in a quality environment. Thank you.
Let me confess, this is the first time I have been on a big panel like this. I'm watching the time. I'm glad to be accompanying with the panelists.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is part of the preparation process for issuing the Global Digital Compact. There is definitely challenges to implementing that one. To echo said before, number one challenge is connecting the unconnected. Right now, 2.6 billion human beings that are not connected. Right now today, that is 33% of the globe.
14% of those unconnected is due to coverage, the rest is affordability.
The huge challenge facing us as a globe to connect the unconnected. Multiple ways to solve it. Right now, Partnering with the ITU to find innovative and sustainable solution to connect the unconnected. To solve this problem.
The most challenging things over the last 20 years, the kicker of unconnected people fallen over the past 20 years. Before this gap of unconnected increasing significantly over last two years only adding hundred million connection. 2022 based on ITU 2.7 billion. And over 24 month only add hundred million. The second challenge, not about only connecting the unconnected.
That connection should be sustainable. So sustainability should be from the beginning within the design of connecting the unconnected.
So that is why, again, we're working with ITU to make sure any solution offered to the table should be sustainable and should be fair and safe access to all of the solutions to connect the unconnected. Coming back, Thomas to your last question or last part of your question, which is multilateral discussion. Definitely, there is two key principles or guiding principles to take in our consideration, figuring out how to implement and fixing the challenges of implement Global Digital Compact.
The first one, multiple colleagues mention it, collaboration. Definitely collaboration between Government, Private Sector, Academia, everyone should evolve and Developing Countries as well.
Second one is accountability or inclusion. So it is not ‑‑ from its name the Global Digital Compact. Global is a Global problem, needs Global effort. Everyone should add to the solution. The solution should be inclusive. This means we don't leave anyone behind. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you His Excellency. Now go to His Excellency Mr. Takuo Imagawa from Japan.
>> Takuo Imagawa: Thank you, it is my great honour to be here at the session. I will try to expression my gratitude to King of Saudi Arabia and UN Secretariat and all who organised this splendid meeting.
Despite our technology, 2.6 billion remain unconnected from the Internet. It is needed to accelerate the cooperation in this digital field.
The work on the GDC adopted at the UN Future Summit, it is essential to follow‑up in an effective manner. I want to emphasize two points the importance of multistakeholder engagement and the utilization of existing Forums.
Firstly, it is difficult to realize the commitment of the GDC only through a top‑down approach from the UN or its Member States. Also among multistakeholder including industry, Civil Society, tech community, Academia and international organisation is indispensable. The multistakeholder engagement is clearly stated, and the key is effective implementation.
The DVC has agreed to establish new mechanisms such as AI scientific panel and Global dialogue.
Discussions on the modalities progress, it is necessary to provide multistakeholders with transparent and ample opportunities or input carefully study those.
To have Group participation and developed countries is necessary. Including the efforts of the capacity building.
Secondly, we must not forget that international cooperation in the digital field is driven by multistakeholder efforts. We need to advance our efforts by building on the Executive Director ‑‑ existing Forums. Boundary those in the UN system and avoid overlaps.
This is where various stakeholders contributing to the digital development, and active discussions are currently taking place. The IGF symbolizes the importance of the efforts and it is essential to discussing all of the GDC. With the GDC and relationship with WSIS and IGF, I understand that specific discussions will take place in the near future.
The Japan basic position is to leverage the existing Forums and we will contribute to the discussions. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. We have another question that I'm going to and also to three panelists.
The question is about how we can effectively address rapidly evolving and emerging technologies in frameworks as long and inclusive as the GDC and the WSIS process? How do we deal with fast‑evolving technologies knowing that Governance mechanisms take their time. His Excellency, Mr. Torgeir Micaelsen from Norway.
>> Torgeir Micaelsen: Thank you, Thomas. I mean, in general, emerging technologies, disruptive technologies, they should be discussed in an environment like this, in a multistakeholder approach as we need to see this from all sorts of angles before going home, collaborating, setting things into motion.
For instance, if you look at AI, it is obviously AI based solutions can be something you save the world with. On the other hand lots of ethical and other topics to be considered.
This is now addressed in a Global Digital Compact.
There is engagement in several important topics with workshops, dialogues, I think this is the right way to move forward to also in the future discuss it.
For me and from the Norwegian point of view, the Scandinavian point of view, it is extremely important that we maintain a human‑centric focus in this very important national debate on AI.
Emerging technologies, for instance, we have some nice feedback on how to test out technologies in a safe environment.
We have different examples from our sandboxes where AI systems, with high‑risk potential can be tried out in a data protected, data privacy, safe environment with really nice resource. We would love to share that sometimes. We think we need to have experience with this sort of times. As I mentioned, using privacy enhancing digital development must be stimulated.
I think as I started with, we need to keep this AI related topics into the multistakeholder dialogue.
Lastly, I think we must renew our commitment to fix accountability as call for in Agenda 5 of the Global Digital Compact. As AI and others reshape our society, we must ensure our multistakeholder collaboration uphold the highest ethical standards safeguarding human rights, privacy and security. If we can manage all of those together, I think we can have a lasting future.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Move to Jennifer Bachus from the United States. How do we cope with the speed of technology?
>> Jennifer Bachus: I will echo my colleagues in thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the MAG and others involved in putting together this really impressive Conference. And I will also ‑‑ however I found the evolution of the questions to be great. Now we're sort of looking to the future. I think ‑‑ I hope it is not a surprise to everybody that the United States is very much committed to harnessing emerging technology including AI for Sustainable Development to make sure all countries can access technology and use AI and other technologies to help address the world's greatest challenges.
We are committed to engaging in international AI conversations with a range of partners and across geographies to promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI. To answer your question and turn to GDC it has been a little over two months since I was in New York and many of you for the adoption. From the beginning, the United States supported an inclusive and transparent process to develop an appropriately scoped and rights respecting GDC to underline what everyone is talking about today. Throughout this process, we were constructive and proactive, I hope there is agreement on that. We very much celebrate the GDC's focus on multistakeholderism and inclusive rights base and gender responsive approach to issues at the United Nations.
These core principles underpin our approach regardless of the pace of technological evolution.
We appreciate the GDC's strengthens the work of the United Nations on new issue areas, like AI and data Governance in an appropriate manner that is inclusive and transparent.
We listened and will continue to listen to non‑Governmental stakeholders on their concerns that the consultation process did not meet the expectations of the stakeholders.
Meaningful participation, and their very strong eagerness to be part of the implementation.
The United States really welcomes stakeholders to be actively involved in the GDC implementation process, in the multidisciplinary international panel on AI. That is a long title. The Global dialogue on Global Governance, the Working Group, the proposal for an office, I can go on and on with the many initiatives. Looking ahead to the WSIS+20 overall review. In that point I will flag a couple of key points from the point of view of the United States.
We support an inclusive transparent and as multistakeholders a process as possible for the WSIS+20 overall review.
We should ensure the WSIS+20 focuses on the review of implementation over the last 20 years before we think about what's next. Much like you laid out the questions in this panel. And we should use the WSIS+20 overall review to integrate GDC implementation within the WSIS framework.
One last point, I think I am running out of my time. It is important any role for the UN system complements existing work by outside entities in UN agencies. It does not and should not supersede them. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Turn to His Excellency Mr. Shermatov Sherzod from Uzbekistan, how can we cope with the frameworks?
>> Shermatov Sherzod: Thank you. First I want to express my gratitude for the organizers of the Forum. This opens up the discussion for the important topics of the development of Internet and from that perspective, I would like to focus on the importance of discussing the human‑centric approach. The people‑centric approach. In the beginning of the open ceremonies, it was an excellent presentation by His Excellency Minister Abdullah about the importance of the increasing the Digital Divide between the Global North and Global South. From that perspective, if you look into the other dynamics like the demographics. In the Global North, most of the developed countries, they see the demographic challenges, not so many babies born. In the Global South, there are so many new babies born. There are different approaches on the Government.
The Governments need more jobs to be created, whereas the Internet can really help people find the remote jobs.
From that perspective in Uzbekistan, we tried to create favourable positions for I.T. companies to open up delivery centres to have the outsources hubs from Uzbekistan. This will help the companies in the developed countries to decrease costs and create more jobs for people of Uzbekistan, which is a double unlocked country. This can open up the additional opportunities for all the countries in the Global South that can utilize this potential of opening the new opportunities for additional sources of income, so the people in the Global South are not looking towards moving physically as potential migrants to the Global North, rather than trying to enjoy living with family in their own houses and able to find good opportunities for income. For that, we have to heavily invest in education, upskilling of the people. For the case of Uzbekistan, we are leading the world in terms of the number of people learning on the platform, as a share of the total workforce. We try to invest heavily on upskilling of our people in terms of the foreign languages and in terms of the jobs which can be required in these Global digital economy.
And from the IGF perspective, I think for the future, we have to think about the ways of avoiding any potential artificial kind of limitations for any type of Global work. We know that for Department of Labour, there are limitations with Visa, anti‑immigration policy presidency, et cetera.
We should avoid any kind of potential for the remote work. All of the opportunities should be available globally. There should be no limit on terms of the Internet working.
We promote the Global cooperation.
Because the planet as a whole faces challenges, which we identified in Sustainable Development Goals, even the Global green policies are implemented
So Internet itself is not just an enabler of the Green Agenda. Now it is becoming one of the biggest pollutants as well. The Global footprint of all of the data centres is more than the Global airplane industry. We have to think about creating the concept between the Saudi Arabia companies, aqua power and creating green energy sources in Uzbekistan, and creating the green data centre to be utilized by AI companies which are in very much need of having Global computing power, which should be also based on the green energy.
Only through opening up the artificial borders in the Internet, through massive education and promoting the Global cooperation, we can do the work together for the benefit of all people living in our single planet. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much, I have a fourth question to hear you all on this question. Given that we're slightly running behind schedule, I dare to specific your time of three minutes to two and a half each. Fortunately we don't have a clock.
It was the announced to be one but it didn't make it. Be very concrete. Thank you for other interesting points. It is about the mandate of the IGF to be renewed during the WSIS+20 process. The question is what is your vision for IGF beyond 2025? And how could the IGF contribute to the implementation of the GDC? We start with His Excellency Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi. Thank you.
>> Mohammed Saud Al TAMIMI: In Saudi Arabia, we believe IGF should continue as principal platform for the discussions form other Internet policy. We see IGF as a platform to create well-crafted platform to create the Global Digital Compact.
It will make more inclusivity and more stakeholders. And the mining, during this discussion, the Ministry of Telecommunications mentioned, it is digital defined and AI defined. We need more discussions and platforms like this one to discuss AI ethics, data privacy. Digital sovereignty. And we need to deliver the Digital Compact and continue with IGF and WSIS to make sure we have enough platform for collaboration and efficiency to deliver our commitment.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Junhua Li from UNDESA.
>> Junhua Li: Thank you. Certainly UN believes Digital Transformation is one of the strategic vehicles for almost all Member States to catch up the national efforts in attending the 2030 Agenda, even beyond. So I guess over the past two decades, we have achieved enormously.
The beauty of the IGF certainly, we need to commit it, number one, inclusiveness and neutrality. As other panelists highlighted very much. We're committed to this multistakeholder approach. But beyond the review, what we would like to see is the IGF continues to serve as a premium Global Forum on the digital discussion with participation of all stakeholder. We would like to see the IGF to serve as a premium to execute the Global Digital Compact.
And we would like to see with a stronger mandate after WSIS review, IGF can invest more efforts in the capacity building for those countries in vulnerable situations to help to bridge the gap between the North and South. I stop here.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Next is Ms. Sally Wentworth.
>> Sally Wentworth: Thank you, Thomas. The Internet Society has been a long supporter of the Internet Governance Forum since the earliest days. Part of that is the belief that we will be more effective at implementing the aspirations on the World Summit Information Society. The Sustainable Development Goals and Global Digital Compact if we work together.
Platforms like the IGF all stakeholders on an equal footing, in an open and inclusive way to come together to tackle the challenges. What is impressive is the ability to evolve over telecommunication to meet the needs of the community.
We see that through the national and Regional IGFs that have emerged around the world and Internet Society has supported many of them over the past years.
Where we take a Global consensus and the communities, themselves, start implementing that at the local level. So translating this model of multistakeholder Internet Governance from a Global dialogue into local implementation, I think, is a really important feature of the IGF and one that we would certainly want to see continued and strengthened, and perhaps even a vehicle for the kind of capacity building that the Undersecretary spoke about.
We would strongly call for the IGF's mandate to be renewed as part of the WSIS+20. We would like to see stronger and more sustainable support for the IGF going forward.
And ensuring that as it evolves, it retains the key characteristics of inclusion, stakeholders on an equal footing, and this ability to translate Global issues into local action.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. His Excellency Mr. Takuo Imagawa.
>> Takuo Imagawa: Thank you, Thomas. Japan is wanting the multistakeholder approach in Internet Governance. Last year we hosted in Kyoto with more than 11,000 participants registered. Including more than 6,000 attending in person. This is a record number in IGF history and we're very honoured. And also glad for this community.
This year as well under the participation of numerous multistakeholder, active discussions are taking place, demonstrating strong support for multistakeholder Intergovernmental and IGF which is functioning effectively.
Based on this, we hope the discussions to sustain and promote IGF will take place in the WSIS+20 Review.
The theme of this year, building our multistakeholder digital future is timely and highly suggested.
Japan believes that the extension of the IGF is indispensable and should be considered including the possibility of making it permanent in the future. The IGF wants to be constantly developed to meet the demands of the time. Last year, they held IGF and AI and this year more about AI is being addressed.
Addressing the demands of the time attracts my participants and new barriers.
There are new tracts including youth tracks and we believe this will continue.
The Global dialogue needs to be inclusive for multistakeholder including Developing Countries. In this sense, it is important to actually leverage existing Forums such as IGF holding a Global dialogue with IGF could be a promising option.
Also we believe that IGF is very effective for discussing the follow‑up of the TDC.
The IGF is led by the activities of the MAG. The leadership panel has contributed to the IGF. Especially in terms of advocacy and fundraising.
The MAG are not in the 2030 Agenda, but they play a significant role. This mechanism should be discussed in the WSIS+20 Review.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Her Excellency, Ms. Nthati Moorosi.
>> Nthati Moorosi: We believe it is relevant and we can re-imagine it becoming a more action oriented platform with the objectives of the Global Digital Compact. This vision could centre around being a catalyst for inclusive rights based on sustainable digital transformation. We want to believe IGF can play a role in accelerating the achievements of SDGs.
The IGF could position itself as a Global Convener for multistakeholder partnerships aimed at accelerating SDGs, focusing on digital inclusion initiatives.
The GDC emphasizes the need for connectivity gaps to removed, and ensuring access and ensure underserved communities are not left behind, including the marginalized.
So we believe that IGF could convene all stakeholders, bring this problem that we have been talking about since morning and come up with solutions together. We talked about the need for cheaper, smart devices. IGF could convene, the Government, the Public Sector, Private Sector and Civil Society could come up with the data and solutions for that. We believe that all of those, the IGF has a role to bring everyone to those solutions. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Ms. Jennifer Bachus.
>> Jennifer Bachus: Thanks, I probably will reflect some of the answers you heard. I apologize for that, I think there is significant agreement among those of us in the room. We, the United States, support the IGF as the preeminent venue for bringing together all the stakeholder from bottom‑up process to discuss solutions to Internet public policy
S, rights respective, innovative and empowering. We recognize this is a pivotal time of the IGF, since it comes after the adoption and outset of the WSIS+20 Review.
There is always space for strengthening the IGF, it has continued to be a model for inclusivity and transparency for the engagements. We continue efforts to strengthen the IGF including other stakeholders from Developing Countries. On implementation we have been clear about the need to build on existing processes, including IGF.
We have seen IGF as a great venue for discussion on great topics and flexible enough to work on key issues as noted by other panelists.
As we move into the process, we will advocate strongly for the UN General Assembly to extend the mandate before it expires in 2025.
We have heard from stakeholders on the funding of IGF are, we expect that to come up in the WSIS+20 process. The United States is committed to ensuring the IGF has clear and stable funding.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you, His Excellency, Mr. Shermatov Sherzod.
>> Shermatov Sherzod: Thank you. We hope IGF will help us bring more countries together. A long time ago we talked about the world becoming a Global village, the latest events, showing the world more polarized, and the Internet is a source of different kinds of Internet. Second thing we talk about the importance of connectivity since like 10% growth on high speed will bring gross on GDP per capita or increasing productivity, et cetera, but if you look to what it is used for, especially with the kids unfortunately, not all of the time it is helping the kids. Sometimes it is hurting them.
There are countries in the developed world are banning access to social media or content. From that pers, I would like to see that IGF would focus more on the benefits of the Internet for the whole human society, especially the young growing kids so Internet is a very safe and promoting developing area but not the area where your parents would be cautious about getting Internet access for their kids. These are areas we should focus more.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you, His Excellency Mr. Torgeir Micaelsen.
>> Torgeir Micaelsen: Thank you I will keep it brief. I see that there are some people interested to wrap up.
I believe the multistakeholder platform or approach is strengthened after the process starting next year.
IGF has provided an appropriate platform for stakeholders as we heard from many panelists for almost 20 years.
The IGF should continue to be the primary arena, that is our position.
Lastly, I think it is okay to mention that we also need to be careful that we don't create many new arenas when looking forward.
We support the current Forums and discussion and representing a small country. I'm concerned about the paradox of inclusion. That which will ultimately give us smaller influence, less influence, if we spread our wings on too many initiatives, we have to build on the initiatives, the barriers we already have.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Last but not least, the Secretary, Stefan Schnorr.
>> Stefan Schnorr: Yes, I believe the IGF is the best. The only instrument to implement successfully the GDC. The goal of the Global Digital Compact is
a safe fair inclusive future for all. There are priorities to achieve this goal, first is we must ensure that human rights remain at the core of our digital future. That means protecting privacy, freedom of expression, access to information, while also combating Internet shutdowns and censorships. This is central to the UN mandate and GDC. We cannot compromise on fundamental rights that shape our digital future.
Second, to achieve this goal, it is crucial that all stakeholders collaborate and work together and in the digital domain, that means that stakeholder expertise is essential for reaching the objectives of the GDC.
The solution is very easy because the solution is the Internet Governance Forum. It is in a very strong position to facilitate both of these priorities at the end. As we have discussed today. The IGF is one of the most inclusive, open, transparent Forums hosted by the United Nations and the Global Digital Compact that seeks to achieve its goals must recognize the role of the IGF in this process. The IGF is not only a platform, it is a cornerstone for shaping our digital future.
I think the IGF mandate is well suited to this task to the broad scope.
The IGF has already proven its value and now it is time to realize its full potential.
Also, the negotiations were challenging for the GDC, there was a broad agreement at the end among other UN Member States on the point that we don't want to have any overlaps.
We don't need to reinvent the wheel. We need to build on what works and this is IGF. And therefore, as I mentioned, I think the IGF is the only instrument for the successful implementation of the GDC.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. We now have two voices from the floor that we would like to invite to contribute as well. Also with maximum three minutes. The first one is Mr. Donaho with the European Commission. Thank you.
>> Audience: (Off mic)
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Now we would like to invite Mr. Paul Gaskill, Deputy Director for the Internet Governance standards for the United Kingdom. Thank you, Paul.
>> Audience: (Off mic)
Since 2005, we have seen how multistakeholder Governance of the Internet with roles for Governance, Private Sector, Civil Society and technical community has driven increased connectivity to foster technological innovation and supported a stable and resilient Internet.
The ability of the Internet's Global infrastructure to withstand the COVID pandemic and help the world get through the Global crisis is evidence of this success. We face new challenges driven by rapid technological change and a more complex digital landscape.
Back in 2005, no one was thinking about AI, social media, or the metaverse and the WSIS+20 Review needs to be ambitious and future focused taking full account of new and emerging technologies and addressing challenges faced by Developing Countries in particular.
As others said, it is also reality at a much more basic level that one‑third of the world's population has no access to the Internet, and there is still urgent work to do to connect the unconnected.
So we must ensure that the WSIS review contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda, which is WSIS should have a real focus on how the potential of digital can contribute to all aspects of Sustainable Development.
Finally, the WSIS review should extend the mandate of the IGF and should consider a permanent mandate as well.
There is ‑‑ just regarding the success of the IGF, a recent report by independent researchers in Oxford in the UK highlights the IGF's success in becoming a Global ecosystem for knowledge sharing, particularly for developing world partners. We believe we should build on the record of achievement and strengthen the IGF for the future.
The UK looks forward to actively participate in the review and work with partners on the issues. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much, Paul.
So we have a final round of wrap‑ups, there has been some convergence of views, I think. So let's try to, yeah, focus on things that we maybe have not heard yet or what you think it particularly important. I will ask each panelists to give a final message of maximum two minutes or less, says the script here.
But we're not so bad in time, actually. To each of you and now this time, I start from the other end. So please, what are your key learnings? What are new things that you have heard in this round? Or what has not been said that you would like to say?
>> TORGEIR MICAELSEN: I think a lot of important stuff has been said, I am sitting here thinking back, I think it is in 1994 or 1995, the first time I access the Internet, my father bought me a modem with a cable, putting it into the socket. And hearing that wonderful noise.
It almost gets me like nostalgia here. Looking back, that is 30 years ago.
I would like everyone to have that kind of feeling that I got in the '90s help everyone should get the feeling to be connected to make new friends to learn new stuff online, in a safe and secure manner. At the same time, respecting their rights to as human beings.
This is kind of the conversation moving forward inside the IGF or at some point later this week that would be highly appreciated. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much, Jennifer Bachus.
>> Jennifer Bachus: I would conclude by saying what has already been said here repeatedly which is that we will only be successful in the future technologies and the current technologies if all stakeholders are around the table. We can't do it as Government alone. We need all the voices and need the Private Sector and academic community and technical community, Civil Society, otherwise we're going to miss something that is incredibly important. So we will continue to be committed to the sorts of engagements and we look forward to Oslo in six months. Thanks to Norway for stepping up.
And we look forward to seeing you in not that many months ahead. So congrats and thanks.
>> Torgeir Micaelsen: She saved me. Warmest welcome to Oslo in IGF 2025.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: That is noted. Stefan Schnorr.
>> Stefan Schnorr: Thank you. I think this panel highlighted the value of the IGF. I look forward to the IGF in 2025 in Norway, and also the IGF in 2026, 2027, so on. Let's continue the successful story. I think what we can do is better in strengthening the inclusion of the Global South to make the IGF more visible, I think this is very important. At the end, we have so many new challenges also in the future, and the best way to address these challenges and find common solutions is to work together with all multistakeholder, therefore I'm looking forward to the future of the IGF, thank you very much.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Shermatov Sherzod.
>> Shermatov Sherzod: As wrap up, I thank the organizers, I think this IGF was a successful event. I hope that this kind of meetings are very important to have a better idea about the future of Internet, about the future of cooperation among the countries, and improving the necessary areas in terms of the Governance. And I'm just looking forward to having more productive and more successful such events which will help us to cooperate, collaborate with each other for the benefit of humanity as a whole. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. Sally Wentworth.
>> Sally Wentworth: At the Internet Society, our vision is that the Internet is for everyone. And we believe that we are all stakeholders in the future of the Internet. And that is really what a platform like the IGF represents. And as I said earlier, we look forward to many future IGFs and seeing the IGF continue to evolve to meet the challenges of the future.
As we look to the WSIS+20, we are a stakeholder in that process. We are part of the Internet technical community. And we really hope that our voice, that the voice of the Internet technical community is concluded and welcomed in the process. Both in the process to evaluate the WSIS and also to think about the future of the WSIS. And in the implementation of the Global Digital Compact. Those of us in the Internet technical community are working very hard to ensure that the Internet continues to evolve in a way that is open and secure and puts people at the centre and ensuring that the technology that we all depend upon for the exciting things and emerging technologies that we have spoken about is available and is scalable. And it is meeting the needs of the future.
So we look forward to engaging in that process. We hope that our voice is included and welcomed.
And we are excited about the IGF and Oslo. And in seeing how the modalities and the process for the WSIS+20 emerges over the weeks and months ahead and contributing our voice to that.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Takuo Imagawa.
>> Takuo Imagawa: Thank you. My final comment is one point with the limited time and resources we need to advance the WSIS+20 Review. We have reached an agreement on the GDC through difficult negotiations and I believe items should not be reopened but used as a basis of the WSIS+20 Review. And regarding the lines, I believe we should have effective and efficient discussions by basing them on the existing items. Look forward to discussions to come including the IGF 2025 in Norway. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you, Nthati Moorosi.
>> Nthati Moorosi: Thank you, my last words are to thank the organizers and the Government for hospitality and challenge IGF to say that I want to reiterate that it has to play in the space of SDGs, it is about time we discuss difficult problems. Come up with great solutions that can save little budgets that we have in the country that can grow the economy. It is about time we talk about even big problems, such as voting online for national elections.
Like writing examinations online. Things like that. We have to start talking about big problems and coming up with big solutions. Thank you.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you. Junhua Li.
>> Junhua Li: Thank you, Thomas. I will leave Riyadh with the strong conviction that IGF or its potential needs to be further tapped with a stronger mandate, with the WSIS review, then we would equip this IGF platform to the new place, that would provide recommendations, solutions, to the Member States, and multistakeholders look at how the AI process benefits whole humanity. Look forward to seeing everyone in Oslo for the next IGF.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Mohammed Saud Al Tamimi.
>> MOHAMMED SAUD AL TAMIMI: To implement our commitment as a Global Digital Compact. And I wish you successful days for the coming IGF Riyadh 2024.
>> THOMAS SCHNEIDER: Thank you very much. We're approaching the end of the first part. Before I let you go, let me try to add one or two things. I think there seems to be broad support that an inclusive, not just multistakeholder approach, but an inclusive multistakeholder approach, not just the big ones, but also the small actors, have a voice, sitting at the table and have a voice at the table. Something to add to the discussion is that it is important that everybody sitting at the table, but we should not forget that we may have the reference on the respective roles of the stakeholders was hard fought, Berger 35 or 36 in the Tunis Agenda.
We might have different roles. Anyone that is missing, there is a role missing. It is important if we talk about multistakeholder to bring everyone together, discuss our roles, agree on the roles and agree on solutions, hopefully and also agree on and making sure all voices are heard.
In this respect, I would like to refer to the guidelines that are adopted earlier this year.
This gives us indicators and tools and solutions to how to make sure that a multistakeholder process is actually real inclusive. It helps to also counterpower imbalances that exist not just among Governments but among the other stakeholders.
And I think everybody agrees on the relevance of the IGF on the potential of the IGF. Also of course, the more funding the IGF gets, the more its potential can be used. And one of the reasons for the potential and the success of the IGF, it has been named as well, I would like to conclude that this is the agility and dynamic of the IGF. The ability to deal with emerging issues that pop up, many times, first, in the IGF on the Agenda and are then packed up by the I2, UNESCO and OCD and other institutions that rely on the IGF to identify emerging issues which is one of the functions, according to paragraph 72.G whatever it is of the Tunis Agenda.
We're not invent these. They're foreseen. The potential is foreseen in the WSIS Documents in Geneva and Tunis.
We are looking forward very much to us all together driving the IGF forward and the IGF is not an end in itself, it is a means to as we have heard to achieve the SDGs to make sure all of us are able to benefit from digital technologies for the good and not for the bad. Thank you very much to all of you.
I look forward to seeing you and hearing you at the next occasion. Thank you very much.
With this, we will move to the second part of the ‑‑ I'm supposed to moderate also the second session. I just need to switch the PDF. Thank you very much for this. Now we'll move to the second session, which if I see this correctly, it is somewhat less multistakeholder in the sense that it is highlighting or focusing on ... the UN, which is also in a sense a multistakeholder institution.