Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Civil Society, African Group
Organizer 2: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 3: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Organizer 4: Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 1: Jalal Abukhater, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Htaike Htaike Aung, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Luã Cruz, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Husam Mahjoub, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 2: Htaike Htaike Aung, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Luã Cruz, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: Husam Mahjoub, Technical Community, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A roundtable format is best suited for this session as it encourages active participation and solution-oriented discussions rather than passive listening. Given the complex nature of ensuring connectivity in crisis zones, the format will allow diverse stakeholders—civil society, technical experts, policymakers, and private sector representatives—to engage in dynamic, peer-to-peer discussions. Participants will be encouraged to share regional experiences, debate best practices, and generate collaborative recommendations. A 90-minute session provides the necessary time for in-depth discussion and interactive engagement, including regional case studies, advocacy lessons, and technical solutions. The additional time ensures that online and onsite participants have space to contribute meaningfully. This duration will allow real-time interaction between remote and in-person attendees without compromising depth or inclusivity.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A roundtable format is best suited for this session as it encourages active participation and solution-oriented discussions rather than passive listening. Given the complex nature of ensuring connectivity in crisis zones, the format will allow diverse stakeholders—civil society, technical experts, policymakers, and private sector representatives—to engage in dynamic, peer-to-peer discussions. Participants will be encouraged to share regional experiences, debate best practices, and generate collaborative recommendations. A 90-minute session provides the necessary time for in-depth discussion and interactive engagement, including regional case studies, advocacy lessons, and technical solutions. The additional time ensures that online and onsite participants have space to contribute meaningfully. This duration will allow real-time interaction between remote and in-person attendees without compromising depth or inclusivity.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can international bodies like the ITU and governments ensure and protect internet and telecommunications access in conflict zones, especially where ICT infrastructure is deliberately targeted?
B. What immediate and long-term solutions exist for restoring internet access and building resilient ICT infrastructures in crisis-affected regions, and what barriers prevent their implementation?
C. What role can multistakeholder advocacy—civil society, private sector, and policymakers—play in promoting the recognition under international law that deliberately disrupting or preventing people's access to the internet violates human rights
What will participants gain from attending this session? Technical knowledge of solutions used in recent crisis settings to reconnect people.
Common advocacy strategies to hold stakeholders accountable for restoring telecom access.
Policy recommendations on regional and global level to strengthen protections for digital access in conflict zones.
Networking opportunities with cross-sector experts and organizations working on similar contexts in geographically distant locations.
Description:
As Myanmar, Palestine, Ukraine and other crisis-stricken regions struggle with connectivity, it is clear that access to the internet and telecommunications is more than a convenience—it is an essential lifeline for civilian populations. In some situations, such as in Gaza and Sudan, the deliberate targeting of ICT infrastructure and restrictions of access to connectivity tools have left millions without reliable access to communication, severely affecting emergency response, economic recovery, as well as freedom of expression and access to information. This session will explore concrete solutions and advocacy strategies for restoring connectivity in conflict and crisis settings. With conflict as the leading driver of internet shutdowns globally, there is an urgent need to bring together experts from multiple sectors to discuss best practices for restoring internet access and protecting digital infrastructure; successful advocacy efforts to pressure international institutions; and technical solutions that can be implemented in emergency situations (e.g., satellite internet, mobile connectivity hubs, and local ISP workarounds). Participants will be encouraged to engage in solution-driven discussions, contribute insights from their own regional experiences, and develop practical action points for policymakers, telecom companies, and local organisations. This workshop builds on the ongoing #ReconnectGaza campaign, which advocates for the reconstruction of Gaza’s telecom sector and the establishment of an independent Palestinian ICT sector free from external control.
As Myanmar, Palestine, Ukraine and other crisis-stricken regions struggle with connectivity, it is clear that access to the internet and telecommunications is more than a convenience—it is an essential lifeline for civilian populations. In some situations, such as in Gaza and Sudan, the deliberate targeting of ICT infrastructure and restrictions of access to connectivity tools have left millions without reliable access to communication, severely affecting emergency response, economic recovery, as well as freedom of expression and access to information. This session will explore concrete solutions and advocacy strategies for restoring connectivity in conflict and crisis settings. With conflict as the leading driver of internet shutdowns globally, there is an urgent need to bring together experts from multiple sectors to discuss best practices for restoring internet access and protecting digital infrastructure; successful advocacy efforts to pressure international institutions; and technical solutions that can be implemented in emergency situations (e.g., satellite internet, mobile connectivity hubs, and local ISP workarounds). Participants will be encouraged to engage in solution-driven discussions, contribute insights from their own regional experiences, and develop practical action points for policymakers, telecom companies, and local organisations. This workshop builds on the ongoing #ReconnectGaza campaign, which advocates for the reconstruction of Gaza’s telecom sector and the establishment of an independent Palestinian ICT sector free from external control.
Expected Outcomes
Recommendations document on best practices for reconnecting crisis-affected communities (knowledge sharing), in addition to follow-up advocacy initiatives targeting international institutions (e.g., ITU Council, UN agencies) and Member States.
Hybrid Format: Interactive facilitation: An online moderator from 7amleh will actively engage virtual participants, ensuring their contributions are considered in real-time discussions. There will also be live polling and Q&A tools through platforms like Slido/Menti or IGF-provided interactive tools which allow all attendees to submit questions, upvote topics, and provide insights.
Additionally, breakout discussions where participants will be divided into smaller discussion groups to brainstorm region-specific solutions, with one online and one onsite group to ensure hybrid interaction.
Last but not least, a shared live collaborative document (via Google docs) will track inputs and recommendations in real time, allowing input from both in-person and remote participants.
After the session, a summary of recommendations will be shared with all attendees, alongside opportunities to engage in post-session advocacy efforts.