IGF 2026 Proposed Issues

Submission ID: 1

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Ana Carolina Sousa Dias

Organization: C-PARTES

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Media and Content

It's vital that we tackle social media platform regulation.

By showcasing the importance of regulating emerging and trending technologies.

None specific.

Submission ID: 2

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Suzete Centeio Pereira

Organization: ARME - Multissectorial Regulatory Agency

Stakeholder Group: Government (Regulatory)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

The IGF can strengthen its contribution by more clearly aligning its discussions and intersessional work with concrete targets of the WSIS, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda. This includes translating recommendations into practical actions, supporting the sharing of best practices, strengthening multistakeholder partnerships, and tracking progress through measurable indicators. Continuous engagement of national and regional IGFs can help turn global outcomes into effective local implementation.

The IGF programme could benefit from an overarching theme focused on digital cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development, supported by thematic tracks such as digital inclusion, trust and security, emerging technologies, and digital public infrastructure. The format could be more action-oriented, combining policy discussions with practical case studies and implementation labs. Greater use of interactive sessions, cross-track dialogues, and outcome-focused workshops would help bridge global dialogue with real-world impact, while hybrid participation and stronger integration of national and regional IGFs would enhance inclusiveness and continuity.

Submission ID: 3

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Rajendra Pratap Gupta

Organization: Disease Management Association of India

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Economic Issues and Development

I am keen on developing business models that can support individuals and families in earning a livelihood. So that the technology does not benefit a few bigtech

1. Having frank discussions
2. Roping in the grass-root people for the discourse
3. Sharing the inputs with policy-makers
4. Engaging CSOs in projects

i would want to share about Project CREATE ( www.projectcreate.tech). This was ideated at IGF in Ethiopia. I believe that we can create jobs leveraging technologies. We must host a ‘Jobs Summit’.

Submission ID: 4

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Abdias Zambrano

Organization: Internet Society Panama Chapter

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 5

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Boubacar Bah

Organization: Civil Society organisation

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Media and Content

Submission ID: 6

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: June Parris

Organization: Member

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Media and Content, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Women and those with low incomes are still not included in the processes.

Be more inclusive
Communication that reaches everyone
Follow up should be included in the process at all levels
Social media platforms
Hold Governments if information is not shared

Avoid as much overlapping as possible
Offer access to other sessions while in a session, set up that access is easier.
Include everyone
Badges are necessary
Track clusters eg similar tracts at various times during the day, or a method to make things easier for newcomers
Introduction to IGF Day 0 and prior to the IGF( all those who receive funding should attend as part of the agreement and give feedback)
Even those whose proposals were successful still misunderstand the purpose of the IGF, add as part of the proposal, eg a disclaimer

Submission ID: 7

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Ayse Arslan

Organization: Oxford Alumni-Silicon Valley Chapter

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

A systems-level AI governance scholar-practitioner working at the intersection of technology, public institutions, and global policy.

Selected Publications

Books

Kok, A., Youssef A. (2025) Navigating the Intersection of AI Policy, Technology, and Governance IGI Publishers

Kok, A. (2017). Cultural, Behavioral, and Social Considerations in Electronic Collaboration IGI Publishers

Kok, A. (2016). Proliferation of Open Government Initiatives and Systems (Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development River Publishing

Kok, A. (2014). The Use of Online Collaboration Tools for Employee Volunteering: A Case Study of IBM's CSC Program River Publishing

Research Papers

Arslan, A.K.(2026) The Government Stack 2.0: A Composable Architecture Theory for Hyperscale, Journal of Political Science, Law and Governance (2026).

Arslan, A.K.(2024) Enhancing Educational QA Systems: Integrating Knowledge Graphs and Large Language Models for Context-Aware Learning, Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 10 No. 11 (2025).

Arslan, A.K.(2024) Designing and Evaluating a Metacognitive AI System for Enhanced Human-AI Collaboration: A Woz Approach, Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 9 No. 11 (2024).

Arslan, A.K.(2021) Developing a Conversational Agent to Explore Machine Learning Concepts, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY, Volume:21:1.

Arslan, A.K.(2019) A Debate on Going Dark, Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research, White Paper, 2019.

Arslan, A.K.(2019) Developing Trust in Cyberspace in The Age of Artificial Intelligence, Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research, White Paper, 2019.

Arslan, A.K.(2019) A System Design For A Collaborative Ecosystem Based On Trust Within The Cyberspace, Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research, White Paper, 2019.

Arslan, A.K.(2019) Towards a Collaborative Trust-Based Debugging Model for the Telecom Industry, Network and Communication Technologies, 2019, Vol. 4, Issue 1.

To better support the follow-up and realization of the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work should place greater emphasis on operational governance, institutional capacity, and measurable outcomes, rather than dialogue alone.

First, the IGF can serve as an implementation bridge by explicitly mapping its annual themes, subthemes, and outputs to concrete WSIS Action Lines, GDC commitments, and relevant SDG targets. This would enable stakeholders to clearly identify how IGF discussions translate into progress on digital inclusion, human rights, sustainable development, and responsible technology governance. Structured linkages between IGF outputs and UN follow-up mechanisms would strengthen accountability and continuity across global processes.

Second, the IGF should deepen its focus on digital public infrastructure (DPI) and state capacity as foundational enablers of the GDC and the 2030 Agenda. Many development and inclusion goals depend not only on access to technology, but on governments’ ability to design, procure, regulate, and govern digital systems in interoperable, transparent, and sovereign ways. Intersessional work could develop shared frameworks, case studies, and best practices for scalable, rights-respecting DPI, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Third, the IGF can add distinctive value by advancing practical AI governance mechanisms aligned with sustainable development objectives. This includes work on AI evaluation, auditing, and regulatory compliance that supports public trust, mitigates harm, and ensures that AI deployment contributes to social and economic development rather than exacerbating inequality. Linking AI governance discussions directly to SDGs such as quality education, decent work, reduced inequalities, and strong institutions would make these conversations more actionable.

Finally, the IGF can strengthen follow-up by producing clearer, implementation-oriented outputs from both annual meetings and intersessional tracks. While remaining a non-negotiating forum, the IGF can generate syntheses, toolkits, and policy-relevant guidance that institutions can adopt, adapt, and evaluate over time, thereby reinforcing its role as a practical contributor to global digital cooperation.

1. Governing AI and Emerging Technologies in Practice
This track would move beyond ethical principles to examine concrete governance mechanisms, including AI evaluation, auditing, regulatory compliance, public-sector procurement, and oversight of foundation models. Emphasis should be placed on real-world deployment challenges and lessons learned across jurisdictions.

2. Digital Public Infrastructure and State Capacity
This track would explore how governments can design interoperable, resilient, and rights-respecting digital systems. Topics could include open standards, digital sovereignty, vendor dependency, public–private interfaces, and lessons from hyperscale platform architectures for public governance.

3. Power, Inequality, and Global Digital Asymmetries
Focusing on structural imbalances in the digital ecosystem, this track would address platform concentration, regulatory capture, unequal access to decision-making, and the implications of AI and data governance for developing countries. The goal would be to identify governance models that reduce dependency and promote shared global benefits.

4. Trust, Rights, and Legitimacy in the Digital Age
This track would examine how trust in digital systems is built or eroded through governance choices. Topics could include human rights implementation, transparency, explainability, accountability mechanisms, and the challenge of governing technologies across diverse legal, cultural, and moral frameworks.

5. The Future of Multi-Stakeholder Governance
This track would reflect critically on the multi-stakeholder model itself, assessing its strengths and limitations in the context of fast-moving, high-impact technologies. Discussions could explore how multi-stakeholder processes can evolve to support implementation, not only dialogue.

Submission ID: 8

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Yao Lazare Yao

Organization: Parlement panafricain

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 9

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF DC DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

The New World Order - what could change, how do we manage?

Many want to participate at IGF. Please keep remote access at center

For this topic audience participation is a must

Submission ID: 10

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF DC DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust

How does the public protect itsslf

Need remote meeting

Expert advice

Submission ID: 11

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF DC DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance

How will quantum impact?

Electronic waste rexords

Remote

Submission ID: 12

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF DC DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Rights and Freedoms

Values how are they changing in the new world order

Sustaining foundations

Remote participation

Submission ID: 13

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: UYEN TAM DO

Organization: Vietnam Aviation Academy, Ministry of Construction

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust

Recent years have seen a surge in cybersecurity threats in Viet Nam, where digital transformation has made the country a hotspot for complex cybercrime. Reports indicate hundreds of thousands of attacks, including ransomware, phishing, spyware, and deceptive emails leveraging AI, affecting organizations across sectors and increasingly targeting the education domain.

Notably, the education sector — including universities — is among the most attacked fields, exposing vulnerabilities in data privacy and online behaviors. Young people, especially students, are often perceived as “ideal targets” for online fraud and psychological manipulation, with incidents such as online extortion and social engineering increasing due to gaps in fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and risk awareness.

To better understand this challenge, I conducted a large-scale survey involving approximately 625 university students in Viet Nam to assess their cybersecurity awareness, online behaviors, and understanding of digital risks. The findings reveal significant vulnerabilities in students’ cyber hygiene and risk perception, emphasizing the need for targeted cybersecurity education and capacity-building within higher education.

These insights underscore the importance of addressing student cybersecurity as both a governance and education issue. IGF 2026 provides a valuable platform to share evidence from developing countries, exchange good practices, and promote multi-stakeholder approaches to strengthening students’ cybersecurity awareness and building safe, inclusive, and resilient digital learning environments. Integrating cybersecurity education into formal curricula and broader digital literacy initiatives is essential to building long-term trust and resilience, aligning with the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work can make meaningful contributions to the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by advancing discussions on digital trust, cybersecurity, and capacity building for vulnerable user groups, particularly students.

The Global Digital Compact emphasizes the need for safe, inclusive, and human-centered digital ecosystems. In this context, the IGF can support its implementation by facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue on cybersecurity awareness, digital literacy, and responsible use of digital technologies in education. Evidence-based inputs, such as empirical research on student cybersecurity risks and behaviors in developing countries, can inform practical and scalable approaches to strengthening digital trust.

With regard to the 2030 Agenda, IGF activities can contribute directly to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting cybersecurity and digital literacy as essential competencies for learners, as well as to SDG 16 and SDG 17 by fostering trust, resilience, and global partnerships in digital governance. Addressing student cybersecurity through education-focused and capacity-building initiatives is critical to ensuring that digital transformation supports sustainable and inclusive development.

IGF 2026 could benefit from an overarching theme that emphasizes building digital trust and resilience through inclusive and human-centered approaches. In particular, thematic tracks focusing on cybersecurity awareness, digital literacy, and the protection of vulnerable user groups—such as students and youth—would reflect pressing global challenges in an increasingly AI-enabled digital environment.

In terms of format and programme design, the IGF could further promote interactive and solution-oriented sessions, including case-based discussions, evidence-informed roundtables, and cross-regional exchanges that highlight practical experiences from developing countries. Linking plenary discussions with intersessional work, such as Best Practice Forums and Policy Networks, would help translate dialogue into actionable insights and support sustained capacity-building beyond the annual meeting.

Submission ID: 14

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Rajendra Pratap Gupta

Organization: Dynamic Coalition on Digital Economy, Internet Governance Forum

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Digital Economy will have a massive impact on environment. We must denominate every action with environmental neutrality to ensure that massive digital footprint must not leave a massive carbon footprint.

The IGF can strengthen its contribution to the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by moving from dialogue alone to structured action, continuity, and measurable impact. This can be achieved by:
• Aligning annual IGF themes and session tracks explicitly with WSIS Action Lines, Global Digital Compact commitments, and SDG targets, ensuring coherence across global digital governance processes.
• Using intersessional work streams to translate high-level principles into practical guidance, policy toolkits, and implementation frameworks that governments and stakeholders can adopt.
• Strengthening multistakeholder coalitions to act as implementation engines—supporting pilots, capacity building, and cross-border collaboration, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Creating mechanisms for follow-up and reporting, where outcomes from IGF discussions feed into UN processes, national strategies, and voluntary SDG reviews.
• Prioritising inclusion and capacity building, ensuring that digital transformation advances human rights, development, and equity, in line with the WSIS vision and the 2030 Agenda.

By positioning the IGF as a bridge between global commitments and real-world implementation, its annual meetings and intersessional work can deliver sustained, tangible impact across the global digital ecosystem.

To enhance relevance, impact, and continuity, the IGF programme can be strengthened through a clear unifying theme, focused thematic tracks, and a more outcome-oriented design, while preserving its multistakeholder ethos.

Overarching Theme

“From Principles to Practice: Governing Digital Transformation for People, Planet and Prosperity”
This theme reinforces the IGF’s role as a bridge between global commitments (WSIS, Global Digital Compact, SDGs) and real-world implementation.

Suggested Thematic Tracks
1. Digital Public Infrastructure & Digital Public Goods
Interoperability, open standards, trust frameworks, and scalable DPI models for development.
2. AI, Emerging Technologies & Human-Centric Governance
AI governance, safety, ethics, inclusion, and responsible innovation.
3. Digital Inclusion, Capacity Building & Meaningful Access
Bridging digital divides, gender equity, youth participation, and skills for the digital economy.
4. Data, Trust, Cybersecurity & Digital Resilience
Data governance, cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty.
5. Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development
Use of digital technologies to advance health, education, climate action, and the SDGs.

Format & Design Innovations
• Outcome-oriented sessions with clear takeaways such as policy options, frameworks, or action points rather than standalone discussions.
• Implementation labs and policy sandboxes where stakeholders co-design solutions, pilots, or roadmaps.
• Stronger integration of intersessional work (DCs, BPFs, NRIs) into the main programme, with dedicated reporting and follow-up sessions.
• Regional and national perspectives showcased through curated case studies and lessons learned.
• Hybrid, inclusive participation models to ensure voices from the Global South, youth, and underserved communities shape outcomes.

Design Principles
• Coherence across sessions and days
• Continuity between annual meetings
• Clear pathways from dialogue to implementation

This approach would reinforce the IGF as a global platform for actionable digital governance, while maintaining its unique openness, inclusivity, and multistakeholder character. The Dynamic Coalition on Digital Economy will do its bit to make a difference

Submission ID: 15

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Sajad Javed

Organization: Javed Sajad - Attorney at Law - Trinidad and Tobago

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

My proposed session tackles the triple nexus shaping the AI era: (1) environmental sustainability of AI infrastructure, (2) systemic AI risks, and (3) cyberattacks targeting AI systems. We will examine how energy-intensive AI (data centres, model training, edge deployments) can be made both low-carbon and cyber-resilient, including threats such as model theft, supply-chain compromise, adversarial manipulation, and attacks on AI-enabled critical infrastructure.

Who it impacts: governments and regulators; critical infrastructure operators (energy, finance, health, transport); cloud/data-centre and AI providers; civil society and communities affected by outages, surveillance, or unsafe AI deployment, especially climate-vulnerable states and SIDS where resilience and energy constraints are acute.

Why it’s necessary: AI governance conversations often split into silos (security vs. sustainability vs. rights). This session closes that gap by producing a practical, multi-stakeholder “Resilient & Sustainable AI” action checklist and procurement-ready guidance that aligns risk management and climate goals, supporting the IGF’s role as an implementation-oriented, multi-stakeholder forum.

Create an “Implementation Track” at the annual IGF where sessions explicitly map to WSIS Action Lines, Global Digital Compact commitments, and specific SDG targets, and each session produces a short “implementation brief” (what to do, who owns it, what success looks like).

“Securing a Sustainable Digital Future in the AI and nuclear energy remergence Era” — putting trust, resilience, and sustainability at the centre.

Submission ID: 16

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: XUEGANG CHEN

Organization: International Communication Organization

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Digital Cooperation, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

The International Communication Organization (UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance member) strongly urges IGF 2026 to prioritize cross-border cooperation, citizen journalism, and civil/political/economic/social/cultural rights in Internet governance.
These issues are critical in the digital age: cross-border cooperation is essential for effective global media collaboration, journalist safety, and shared fact-checking; citizen journalism empowers independent and diverse voices but faces significant challenges in accreditation, credibility, and disinformation; civil rights, including press freedom and freedom of expression, must be robustly protected amid platform dominance, algorithmic bias, and increasing surveillance.
Our ongoing work on journalist credentialing through an international journalist credential system, combined with the proposed IGF Dynamic Coalition on Journalist Accreditation and Media Collaboration (DC-JAMC), underscores the urgent need for multistakeholder standards to ensure equitable information flow, particularly amplifying Global South perspectives and supporting underrepresented journalists.
Proposal for Intersessional Work: Establish a Policy Network on Journalist Rights and Media Collaboration to develop consensus-based guidelines on open accreditation standards, cross-border reporting protocols, and rights protection mechanisms. This would complement existing coalitions such as DC-Journalism and produce actionable, non-binding outputs to inform global, regional, and national policies.
This proposal aligns closely with UN Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 16 on access to information and fundamental freedoms), the Global Digital Compact’s emphasis on digital cooperation and trust, and IGF’s core principles of inclusivity and multistakeholderism.
Thank you for considering this input. We look forward to contributing to a more inclusive and trustworthy digital public sphere.

The IGF can better contribute to WSIS outcomes, Global Digital Compact (GDC) implementation, and the 2030 Agenda by integrating media governance into intersessional work and annual meetings.

A proposed Policy Network on Journalist Rights and Media Collaboration would advance WSIS action lines on media diversity and access to information, GDC commitments on digital cooperation and trust, and SDG 16 (access to information and press freedom).

Through consensus guidelines on journalist accreditation and cross-border collaboration, IGF outputs could provide practical tools for national policies, especially in the Global South, supporting equitable information flow and countering disinformation—key to sustainable development and digital inclusion.

Overarching Theme Suggestion: "Trust and Inclusion in the Digital Public Sphere"

Thematic Tracks: Include a dedicated track on "Media Governance and Journalist Rights" to address accreditation, collaboration, and disinformation.

Format/Design: Introduce "action-oriented" intersessional outputs (e.g., Policy Network guidelines) into main sessions via synthesis reports and pledge commitments. Enhance hybrid inclusivity with regional hubs and multilingual translation.

A Policy Network on Journalist Rights and Media Collaboration could feed directly into this track, producing practical guidelines for IGF 2026 outcomes.

Submission ID: 17

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Plamedi Mukendi

Organization: Youth IGF DRC

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance

To further strengthen the IGF’s relevance and impact, greater emphasis should be placed on co-creation, accessibility, and continuity across IGF cycles. Programme design should encourage collaboration between policymakers, technical experts, civil society, the private sector, and local communities from the earliest planning stages, ensuring that sessions reflect real implementation challenges and not only high-level policy debates.
The IGF could also improve accessibility by expanding hybrid, multilingual, and low-bandwidth participation formats, allowing more meaningful engagement from developing countries and underrepresented groups

WSIS Action Lines (e.g. C2 infrastructure, C7 e-government, C8 cultural diversity)
GDC pillars (inclusive digital economy, safe digital spaces, AI governance, global cooperation)
SDGs (especially 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17)
Require workshop proposers to clearly state which WSIS/GDC/SDG outcomes their session contributes to, not just as a checkbox but with expected policy or practice implications.

Option 1 (implementation-focused):
“From Global Commitments to Local Impact: Implementing Inclusive Digital Governance”
Option 2 (WSIS+20 & GDC-aligned):
“Building People-Centred Digital Futures: WSIS, the Global Digital Compact and Sustainable Development in Action”
Option 3 (short and political):
“Delivering Digital Cooperation for Development”

Submission ID: 18

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Dirk Kunze

Organization: Logiq Media

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Media and Content

Shift the centre of gravity from “policy statements about harms” to operational resilience that can be measured. The most urgent challenge is not only identifying misinformation and manipulation, but building interventions that reliably reduce harmful traction and increase constructive traction across mainstream audiences, not just already-motivated communities.

IGF can contribute most by becoming the place where digital cooperation becomes testable!
- Create an IGF Evidence Commons: a shared repository of evaluated interventions (what was tried, where, with what audiences, what lift was observed and what failed).
- Promote interoperable metrics for public communication and trust outcomes, so institutions can compare approaches across regions and languages.
- Encourage practical implementation guidance that connects high-level commitments to how information actually spreads through platform ecosystems.

Evidence Sessions, not just Opinions Sessions

A session type with a strict rule: every speaker must bring one of:
- a dataset
- an evaluation
- a case with baseline + outcome + limitation
- a “failed attempt” and why it failed

Submission ID: 19

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Prince Andrew Livingstone Zutah Zutah

Organization: Palz Technologies

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 20

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: bastien Mwamba

Organization: Gdg Kinshasa

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation

non

Submission ID: 21

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: YAO LAZARE YAO

Organization: internet Governance Forum

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Economic Issues and Development, Technical and Operational Topics

Submission ID: 22

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Maha Abdel Nasser

Organization: Egyptian Parliament

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Discussion about banning social media platforms or certain games for children, pros and cons, as well as international experiences

IGF as a muti-stake holders event could be the forum in which we check balances about all the promises that made everywhere, and see what already done, and what is pending and why to try to make things move foreword

AI legislations:
Worldwide best practices, and how to move forward
Social Media platforms:
Banning for certain ages,
Algorithm questioning and choices for all,
Ethical commitments
Data flow outside borders:
How it can be done, and who can own it
New technologies:
Threats and opportunities

Submission ID: 23

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Robert Agenong'a

Organization: DRC National Assembly-Parliament

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Media and Content

N/A

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) can more effectively contribute to and reflect major global digital agendas through the following practical, outcome-oriented approaches:

Systematic alignment of IGF themes and outputs
The IGF annual programme and intersessional work (e.g. Best Practice Forums, Dynamic Coalitions, Policy Networks) should be explicitly mapped to WSIS Action Lines, Global Digital Compact (GDC) commitments, and SDG targets, with each activity identifying the specific outcomes it advances.

Stronger outcome-tracking and follow-up mechanisms
IGF intersessional outputs should feed into structured follow-up processes, including voluntary progress indicators, policy toolkits, and implementation briefs that support Member States and stakeholders in translating WSIS, GDC, and SDG commitments into national and regional action.

Enhanced coordination with UN processes
Closer institutional links with UN bodies leading WSIS follow-up, SDG reviews (HLPF), and GDC implementation can ensure IGF messages and policy insights inform intergovernmental decision-making without undermining the IGF’s multistakeholder nature.

Action-oriented national and regional IGFs (NRIs)
NRIs should be supported to localize WSIS, GDC, and SDG priorities, generating evidence and good practices from the ground that can be synthesized and elevated to the global IGF.

Inclusive implementation focus
Greater emphasis should be placed on digital inclusion, human rights, development, and capacity-building—particularly for least developed countries and marginalized groups—ensuring the IGF contributes concretely to equitable and sustainable digital transformation.

Together, these steps would strengthen the IGF’s role as a bridge between global digital commitments and practical, measurable implementation.

Adopt a clear, action-oriented theme that links governance to delivery, for example:
“From Digital Governance to Digital Impact: Advancing Rights, Inclusion, and Sustainable Development.”
This signals alignment with WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda, while emphasizing implementation.

Thematic Tracks

Limit tracks to a small number of coherent pillars that cut across silos and reflect real policy challenges:

Digital Trust, Rights, and Safety (human rights, AI governance, data protection, online safety)

Digital Inclusion and Development (connectivity, affordability, meaningful access, local content)

Digital Public Infrastructure and Innovation (DPI, AI for development, open technologies)

Cybersecurity and Internet Resilience (stability, critical infrastructure, conflict contexts)

Digital Cooperation and Global Governance (multistakeholder models, GDC follow-up, WSIS review)

Each track should explicitly reference relevant WSIS Action Lines, GDC objectives, and SDGs.

Format

Shift from discussion-heavy sessions to solution-oriented formats (policy labs, implementation clinics, case-based dialogues).

Introduce “Implementation Dialogues” where governments, private sector, and civil society present concrete actions taken since the previous IGF.

Strengthen inter-sessional continuity, ensuring outputs from Policy Networks, BPFs, and Dynamic Coalitions directly shape annual sessions.

Programme Design

Build the programme around a clear narrative arc: global commitments → policy challenges → implementation pathways.

Integrate National and Regional IGF (NRI) perspectives as core inputs, not side events.

End each thematic track with concise synthesis outputs (policy takeaways, good-practice notes, or implementation recommendations).

Overall, the programme should reinforce the IGF’s role—not as a negotiating forum—but as a global platform that translates digital governance principles into actionable, development-focused outcomes.

Submission ID: 24

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Raoul Danniel Manuel

Organization: Philippines Kabataan (Youth) Party

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Economic Issues and Development, Rights and Freedoms

Attention must be paid to AI regulation at data protection especially in Global South countries at the receiving end of AI technologies. Also, stakeholders must envision new and alternative forms of social media that foster genuine and relevant connectivity and do not rely on the business models of the dominant platforms.

Submission ID: 25

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Christian Fazili Mihigo

Organization: The High Council of the Judiciary

Stakeholder Group: Government (Judiciary)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms

Thematic Input for IGF 2026
As a Public Prosecutor serving within the High Council of the Judiciary of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I have witnessed firsthand how digital technologies intersect with justice, rights, and security. My contribution to IGF 2026 focuses on three urgent priorities: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and trust, and rights and freedoms.
Artificial Intelligence: AI is increasingly used in governance and justice, yet without clear safeguards it risks reinforcing bias and undermining accountability. The IGF should promote global standards that ensure AI systems respect human dignity, protect vulnerable populations, and remain subject to transparent oversight.
Cybersecurity and Trust: In fragile contexts such as Eastern DRC, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns directly threaten human security. Strengthening trust in digital infrastructures requires multistakeholder cooperation, responsible state behavior, and resilient systems that protect both institutions and citizens.
Rights and Freedoms: Digital governance must uphold fundamental rights—privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. In conflict zones, manipulation of information is used as a weapon of war. Fact‑checking, media literacy, and inclusive participation are essential to safeguard rights and empower communities.
By addressing these pillars, the IGF can meaningfully contribute to the Global Digital Compact, the WSIS outcomes, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has a unique role as a multistakeholder platform that can bridge global commitments with local realities. To better reflect and contribute to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes, the IGF should strengthen its monitoring and dialogue functions, ensuring that principles of universal access, inclusion, and rights are translated into practical initiatives. This could include dedicated sessions tracking WSIS implementation progress and highlighting regional disparities.
In relation to the Global Digital Compact, the IGF’s annual meeting and intersessional work should serve as a laboratory for operationalizing its principles. By convening governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector, the IGF can test collaborative approaches to issues such as AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion, producing recommendations that feed directly into UN processes.
For the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the IGF should explicitly link digital governance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Digital rights, trust, and innovation are enablers of SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure). The IGF can showcase best practices, foster partnerships, and promote accountability mechanisms that ensure digital technologies advance sustainable development rather than exacerbate inequalities.

As a Public Prosecutor within the High Council of the Judiciary of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and as a lecturer in Private International Law, I see the IGF 2026 as a vital platform to strengthen trust, rights, and inclusion in the digital age.
Overarching Theme:
“Trust, Rights, and Inclusion in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” – a theme that reflects both global priorities and the urgent realities of fragile states where digital technologies are reshaping governance, justice, and security.
Thematic Tracks:
- Artificial Intelligence and Governance – ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI systems, particularly in justice and public administration.
- Cybersecurity and Digital Trust – building resilient infrastructures, promoting responsible state behavior, and protecting citizens from manipulation and cyberattacks.
- Rights and Freedoms Online – safeguarding privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information, while countering disinformation as a weapon of war.
- Digital Inclusion and Sustainable Development – bridging divides, empowering youth and marginalized communities, and linking digital governance to SDGs.
Format and Design:
- Multistakeholder Dialogues combining policymakers, civil society, academia, and private sector.
- Regional Case Studies spotlighting conflict‑affected areas like Eastern DRC to connect local realities with global debates.
- Interactive Labs on AI ethics, cybersecurity drills, and fact‑checking tools.
- Youth and Community Voices to ensure inclusive participation.
- Outcome‑Oriented Reports aligned with WSIS, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.
This design ensures the IGF remains not only a space for dialogue but also a platform for practical solutions and accountability.

Submission ID: 26

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Susan Dossi

Organization: Parliament of Malawi, APNIG

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

There is need to collaborate with all stakeholders. There is need to follow up on what has been discussed, agreed upon so that IGF annual meeting should not just be an event but tangible results should be noticed from the meetings

The theme, format and design of the IGF programme are well done.

Submission ID: 27

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Demetris Herakleous

Organization: ECLAC

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance, Digital Cooperation

ECLAC is advancing work on data embassies as a practical model to strengthen digital resilience and continuity of essential public services in the Caribbean. As governments digitize registries, payments, identity, health and emergency services, the region remains highly exposed to hurricanes, power outages, connectivity disruptions and cyber incidents. This creates a governance challenge: how to ensure critical state data and services remain available and trustworthy during crises, without weakening privacy, oversight and accountability.

A “data embassy” model—understood as a trusted cross-border hosting arrangement with defined safeguards and governance—can provide redundancy and recovery capacity when domestic infrastructure is disrupted. The IGF could help move this concept from “idea” to “implementable practice” by convening stakeholders around: (i) minimum safeguards (security controls, encryption and key management, auditability, transparency reporting); (ii) jurisdictional clarity (lawful access, dispute resolution, and limits on foreign compulsion); (iii) rights-based data governance (purpose limitation, proportionality, accountability, and independent oversight); and (iv) regional cooperation models that are feasible for SIDS and developing contexts.

Through ECLAC’s work on digital transformation and resilience in the Caribbean, we are developing a policy and implementation agenda on data embassies(https://www.cepal.org/en/publications/84445-data-embassies-innovative-approach-strengthening-digital-resilience-caribbean) —a structured approach for trusted cross-border redundancy for government and critical public services. The goal is not “outsourcing sovereignty”, but ensuring continuity, integrity and public trust when disasters or cyber incidents affect domestic infrastructure.

Our work focuses on actionable elements that governments can adopt:

Governance model: roles and responsibilities among host state, sending state, operator/provider, and oversight bodies;

Minimum trust safeguards: security baselines, encryption and key control, audit/assurance, incident response coordination;

Legal-operational clarity: how to manage jurisdiction, data protection obligations, lawful access requests and dispute resolution;

Phased roadmap: from minimum viable redundancy to mature trusted frameworks, including regional cooperation options.

We encourage IGF 2026 to prioritize “trusted cross-border data resilience” as a cross-cutting issue linking data governance, cybersecurity and trust, and digital cooperation, and to support an intersessional output (BPF/PN) that produces a minimum safeguards framework and model clauses/checklists for governments and providers.

Thematic tracks (proposed focus areas):

Trusted Data Governance Across Borders – practical models for cross-border data stewardship (including “data embassies”), interoperability, accountability and oversight.

Cybersecurity and Resilience-by-Design – how security, continuity planning and incident response frameworks enable reliable digital public services under crisis conditions.

Jurisdiction, Trust and Rights – legal-operational clarity for lawful access, dispute resolution, transparency and safeguards that protect privacy and due process.

Digital Cooperation for Developing Regions and SIDS – capacity development, shared minimum guarantees, and scalable cooperation models for resource-constrained contexts.

Infrastructure, Connectivity and Operational Readiness – the real-world dependencies (power, submarine cables, cloud concentration, redundancy) that determine whether governance choices work in practice.

Format and design ideas:

“Policy → Implementation” pairing: for each policy session, add an implementation clinic producing a concrete output (checklist, minimum safeguards, model clauses, roadmap).

Crisis-simulation / tabletop sessions: multistakeholder scenario exercises (hurricane + cyber incident + connectivity loss) to test governance assumptions and identify gaps.

Cross-regional pilots showcase: short sessions where regions present pilots and lessons learned (including SIDS) with structured peer feedback from technical, civil society and private sector experts.

Outcome-oriented tracks: encourage sessions to commit to a non-binding deliverable and publish it as an IGF resource (templates, principles, procurement guidance, oversight options).

Stronger intersessional-to-annual linkage: use intersessional work (BPF/PN) to build a shared “minimum safeguards” framework during the year and validate it through workshops at the annual meeting.

Submission ID: 28

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Denise Leal

Organization: Data Goyá Institute

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

IGF should include more indigenous and traditional communities

Submission ID: 29

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: ABDESSAMAD MOUTEI

Organization: NAIGF

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Media and Content

- Aligner explicitement les thématiques du FGI sur les priorités du SMSI (accès, infrastructures, cybersécurité, etc.) pour évaluer le chemin parcouru depuis 20 ans.
- Utiliser les forums nationaux et régionaux (comme le NAIGF) pour collecter des données locales sur l'application du Pacte et les remonter au niveau mondial.
- Chaque session du FGI devrait préciser à quel ODD elle contribue (ex: la FGI School contribue à l'ODD 4 sur l'éducation de qualité et à l'ODD 9 sur l'innovation).
-

Je propose de mettre en œuvre un atelier de formation pratique sur la "Vérification des faits à l'ère des Deepfakes" destiné aux jeunes journalistes et créateurs de contenus. Ce projet explore les outils techniques de détection de manipulations numériques et les principes éthiques de la diffusion d'information sur les réseaux sociaux. En formant une nouvelle génération de "veilleurs numériques", nous cherchons à restaurer la confiance du public envers les médias locaux. Ce programme sera intégré au curriculum de la IGF School pour renforcer la résilience de notre espace informationnel mondial.

Submission ID: 30

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: AMATH NDIAYE

Organization: United Diplomats of Africa

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms

Contribution : Reste la
Protection des données personnelles avec des lois strictes permettant de ne pas nuire sur les réseaux sociaux

Lors de la réunion annuelle du FGI ma proposition reste d’organiser des sessions toujours dans les mêmes salles (si la dessus touche la partie AI et protection de données) car les thèmes proposés sont important et intéressant que tout le monde puisse y participer et discuter.

Pour moi le Thème Général reste : AI et la restriction de l’utilisation des réseaux sociaux car si on ne reforme pas Internet le contrôle sera difficile au futur

Submission ID: 31

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: kossi AMESSINOU

Organization: Ministry of economy and finances

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Our world has been changing since the beginning of the last WSIS mandate. Data is at the core of new technologies, and it is important to understand who benefits from it. At the same time, everything is now interconnected. We must assess the impact on human beings and its contribution to our daily activities.

For the current IGF mandate, I propose introducing a ‘theatre of new narratives’ to allow people from around the world to share their visions of the future of the Internet in 2030

It is now important to focus more on best practices in order to support the generalization of action. The session format should be at least 120 minutes.

Submission ID: 32

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Alhagie Mbow

Organization: Gambia National Parliament / Pan African Parliament

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 33

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Pawel Urzenitzok

Organization: Kozminski University

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Eastern European Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms

Algorithmic accountability, human-centric oversight (HITL), Biometric Data Protection

The IGF may serve as the primary bridge between technical standard-setting and the normative goals of the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Specifically, intersessional work should focus on aligning AI accountability with SDG 16 (Accountable Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By fostering a multi-stakeholder dialogue on biometric governance, the IGF can contribute to the GDC’s goal of creating a "safe and inclusive digital future," ensuring that biometric identification systems are governed by the rule of law rather than arbitrary deployment.

Suggested theme: "Governing the Invisible: Accountability and Trust in the Age of Pervasive AI." Regarding format, the IGF may move toward more "Regulatory Sandboxes" or "Collaborative Policy Labs" where legal researchers and technical developers can co-design oversight models like "Human-in-the-Loop" frameworks. This hands-on approach would make the sessions more practical and appealing to young professionals.

Submission ID: 34

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: MIARINTSOA ANDRIANTSITONTA EMMANUEL MARIE RAKOTOMALALA

Organization: Assemblee National

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Digital Cooperation

L’IGF est un espace clé de coopération multipartite qui soutient la mise en œuvre du SMSI, du Pacte numérique mondial et de l’Agenda 2030, en facilitant le dialogue, le partage de bonnes pratiques et des politiques numériques inclusives au service du développement durable.

La réunion annuelle de l’IGF et son travail intersessionnel peuvent contribuer plus efficacement à la mise en œuvre des résultats du Sommet mondial sur la société de l’information (SMSI), du Pacte numérique mondial et de l’Agenda 2030 en renforçant l’alignement entre les discussions politiques, les priorités de développement durable et les réalités nationales, en particulier dans les pays en développement.
L’IGF devrait servir de plateforme de suivi non contraignante mais structurée, permettant d’identifier des bonnes pratiques concrètes en matière de gouvernance des données, d’intelligence artificielle responsable, d’inclusion numérique et de renforcement des capacités.
Une meilleure articulation entre les travaux intersessionnels de l’IGF, les objectifs des ODD (notamment les ODD 9, 16 et 17) et les engagements du Pacte numérique mondial favoriserait une coopération internationale plus équitable, inclusive et orientée vers le développement durable, tout en respectant les droits de l’homme et la souveraineté numérique des États.

Le thème général de l’IGF 2026 pourrait mettre l’accent sur une gouvernance numérique inclusive, responsable et orientée vers le développement, tenant compte des avancées rapides de l’intelligence artificielle, de la gestion des données et des défis de cybersécurité.
Les pistes thématiques devraient accorder une attention particulière aux besoins des pays africains et des pays les moins avancés, notamment en matière de renforcement des capacités institutionnelles, de cadres juridiques adaptés et de participation effective des parlements, des jeunes et des communautés locales.
En termes de format, l’IGF gagnerait à renforcer les sessions interactives, les dialogues parlementaires, les études de cas régionales et les passerelles entre le niveau mondial et les initiatives nationales et régionales, afin d’assurer un impact concret des discussions sur les politiques publiques.

Submission ID: 35

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Grit Lange

Organization: Netzforma e.V.

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

Submission ID: 36

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Alban Kwan

Organization: Trusted Notifier Network (TNN)

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Digital Cooperation, Economic Issues and Development, Media and Content

With the permanent mandate of IGF confirmed after WSIS+20, it is an important year to rebuild IGF so that it will be making impact on the society and digital governace. With the UN itself also lacking funding, ensuring IGF capture a wider audience and attendence would be critical for its financial sustainability.

To do this, i believe there are a few criterias to consider:
A. Current - All theme are important, but we should prioritise theme that is currently a hot topic so that more stakeholders are encouraged to join
B. Actionable - If IGF is to remain relevant, our conclusion must be actionable by either the gov, tech or private sectors. For this year, it might be good to favor practical theme that is easier to come up with policy recommendation over more thericatical themes.
C. Attract private sector policy makers - Looking from one of the perspectives, Internet is fragmented into several large segments operated by several large private organisations. These organisations are also policy maker of their own platforms and therefore, policy maker of the Internet. We need themes that attracts them to meaningfully participate in IGF especially those who are in the policy making position (not only those in govt engagement position)

Based on these 3 criteria, I would recommend 1. Economic and Development Issues (for economic downturn and inflation (A) is a key topic, also link to ecommerce which help with (C) and it is highly practical (B); 2. Media and Content Issues - for it helps with (C) and is very current (A); 3. Digital Cooperation Issues - tied the previous 2 thems back to IG and how we can set actionable policies (B).

I would highly recommend a closed door side event to invite all the global Internet platforms to discuss policies.
- it needs to be closed door - so the discussion would be practical and not defensive
- it needs to be by invitation - so we can invite also the policy team for the respective companies to join (typically it would be the engagement team who join conference such as IGF)
- it should be linked to paralimentary track - this would be attractive for the platform to fund the traveling and particiate in IGF

After this, IGF should consider intersessional work to follow up on the item discussed. Private sector policy maker participation in IGF is an key "enabler" for all the GDC and WSIS action items that are linked to "private sector", and "public-private cooperation".

Covered in previous answers.

Submission ID: 37

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Rorisang Molefe

Organization: Linear Visions Consulting

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

I am content thus far.

The IGF can increase its impact by moving from dialogue to implementation focused outcomes. This includes clearly linking IGF outputs to WSIS action lines, Global Digital Compact commitments, and SDG targets, and tracking progress across annual cycles.

Intersessional work should prioritize practical policy guidance, capacity building, and the sharing of implementation experiences, with strong links between national, regional, and global IGF processes. By acting as a bridge between global digital agendas and national implementation, the IGF can support accountability and measurable development outcomes.

Overarching theme
From Global Commitments to Local Digital Outcomes

Thematic tracks
Implementation of the Global Digital Compact and WSIS outcomes
Digital inclusion and meaningful connectivity
Trust, safety, and rights online
Digital public infrastructure and data governance
Emerging technologies for development

Format and design
The IGF programme should prioritize interactive and solution driven formats such as policy labs, implementation clinics, and cross stakeholder roundtables that produce clear action points. Stronger integration of national and regional IGF outputs into the global programme would support continuity, follow up, and measurable impact.

Submission ID: 38

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Rui Esteves

Organization: Energy and Geology Directorate‑General (DGEG - Portugal)

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation

“Youth Digital Resilience: a child‑safe, privacy‑first app to counter misinformation and teach cyber hygiene.”
Alternatives

“Trust by Design for Kids: combating misinformation and building everyday cybersecurity skills.”
“Learn to Discern: child‑safe media literacy and cyber‑hygiene for connected classrooms.”

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) plays a central role in advancing major global digital agendas, including the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With its newly reaffirmed permanent mandate under WSIS+20, the IGF is positioned as a key multi‑stakeholder platform for shaping inclusive and human‑centric digital governance. Its annual meetings and intersessional work—such as Policy Networks, Dynamic Coalitions, and National and Regional IGFs—generate policy recommendations on issues like digital inclusion, AI governance, cybersecurity, human rights, and information integrity. These outputs can directly inform UN follow‑up mechanisms related to WSIS and the GDC. The IGF 2025 demonstrated this capacity by gathering thousands of participants and producing actionable messages aligned with SDG priorities. Strengthening links between IGF outcomes and UN reporting processes, while enhancing visibility and coherence of intersessional initiatives, can ensure that the IGF more effectively contributes to global digital cooperation and sustainable development.

- “Building a Trusted, Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Future”
This captures:

Trust (AI ethics, misinformation, child safety, data protection)
Inclusion (access, connectivity, digital skills)
Sustainability (climate‑aligned digital technologies)

A theme centered on trust + inclusion + sustainability aligns well with WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and the SDGs.

- Youth Innovation Spaces
Include a dedicated track or lab where children and students can showcase prototypes, such as your idea for:

A fact‑checking and misinformation‑resilience app for elementary and secondary students, combined with basic gamified cybersecurity lessons.

This could be framed as:
“IGF Youth Challenge: Building Trustworthy Information Ecosystems.”

Submission ID: 39

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Chilufya Theresa Mulenga

Organization: Women in Data Science and AI

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation

The IGF can better support these global agendas by aligning its annual meeting themes and intersessional work with WSIS action lines, the Global Digital Compact priorities, and the SDGs. This includes framing sessions around implementation challenges, showcasing concrete national and local practices, and encouraging policy dialogue that supports measurable development outcomes. Strengthening collaboration with UN agencies, governments, and stakeholders can help translate discussions into action. Intersessional workstreams can track progress, identify gaps, and provide inclusive, multistakeholder inputs that inform global follow-up and review processes.

An effective IGF programme could use an overarching theme focused on digital cooperation for inclusive and sustainable development. Thematic tracks could align with key priorities such as digital inclusion, human rights online, emerging technologies and AI, trust and security, and digital public infrastructure. The programme design could emphasise interactivity, with fewer panels and more roundtables, policy labs, and cross-stakeholder dialogues. Linking sessions across tracks and connecting annual discussions with intersessional outputs would strengthen continuity. Hybrid and regional perspectives should be better integrated to ensure global relevance and meaningful participation from all stakeholder groups.

Submission ID: 40

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Senka Hadzic

Organization: Independent consultant

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 41

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Xiaobo Yang

Organization: Lezhi Studio & Internet Governance Research Hub

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms

AI's impact on social life, jobs and careers has already begun. Many tech giants are trainning AI models to enhance the models' capacity in specific industry or filed. Of course some new type of jobs are created, like data annotator, AI trainer, prompt engineer, etc. However, these AI models are trained to replace a lot of workers (not only the entry-level, but some advanced-level), such as lawyers, disigners, consultants, researchers. Is there any rules or ethics for the replacement? What can ordinary people do to respond to the rapidly growing capacity of AI? It's a worthy topic to discuss.

Submission ID: 42

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Burt Lum

Organization: Internet Society Hawaii Chapter

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Economic Issues and Development

It would be helpful if there were ways individuals like myself could follow the progress of these themes leading up the the annual WSIS meeting.

I am particularly interested in the progress of sovereign AI and how this topic can be discussed and developed for the benefit of indigenous communities.

Submission ID: 43

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Gebrehiwot Teklehayamanot Abraha

Organization: Aksum University

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation

For someone who has experienced the "digital siege" in Northern Ethiopia ,Tigray Region, the IGF and global agendas must evolve from technical discussions into a humanitarian lifeline. The IGF can no longer treat internet access as a luxury; it must contribute to the Global Digital Compact by redefining connectivity as a fundamental human right—equivalent to food and water—that cannot be legally severed during conflict. This means the forum’s intersessional work must focus on creating international accountability for internet shutdowns, treating them as potential human rights violations under SDG 16 (Peace and Justice). By bringing the lived realities of those in Tigray and other consflict affected regions in the world to the forefront, the IGF can move beyond the WSIS goals of "information sharing" toward a framework of "information protection," ensuring that digital infrastructure is used to save lives and provide a voice to the oppressed rather than being used as a tool of war.

Overarching Theme
Digital Resilience: Securing the Right to Life and Information in a Fragmented World
Thematic Truck
Track 1: Uninterruptible Connectivity & Digital Sieges
Track 2: Information Integrity as Humanitarian Aid
Track 3: Technologies of Resistance & Local Sovereignty
Track 4: Accountability for Digital Harm
Track 5: AI goverence and Education Poilicy

Submission ID: 44

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: MBAIADEM ROCHTO RONDOUBA

Organization: YOUNGO – UNFCCC (Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

The Internet Governance Forum should strengthen its role as a space for convergence between digital governance, climate action and sustainable development, in the context of the WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda. Digital infrastructures, data flows and artificial intelligence systems now structure the production of environmental data, public planning and risk management. The IGF can provide concrete added value by facilitating the development of data governance frameworks that promote interoperability and secure sharing of environmental data, while ensuring rights protection, data sovereignty and equitable access to digital capacities, especially in developing countries where technological asymmetries still limit effective participation in global digital processes.

The governance of artificial intelligence should be approached from the perspective of accountability, transparency and risk management, in particular for systems influencing public policies, resource management and climate adaptation. In this perspective, the IGF would benefit from focusing on results-oriented sessions, supported by intersessional work producing practical recommendations and case studies applicable at the national and regional levels. Explicitly integrating the principles of transparency, integrity and conflict of interest management into discussions on AI and data governance would help to build trust in the multi-stakeholder model and ensure balanced participation between different stakeholder groups.

The Internet Governance Forum is now the multi-stakeholder space best placed to link discussions on digital governance to the global processes of WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda. The annual meeting should systematically produce non-binding policy outputs from Policy Networks, Best Practice Forums and Dynamic Coalitions, explicitly aligned with the priorities of these agendas. Structured around themes such as data governance, responsible artificial intelligence and meaningful access, this work can function as a multi-stakeholder laboratory feeding into the WSIS review processes and the work of the CSTD, while facilitating the exchange of practical guidance between regions and stakeholder groups.

Intersessional work should strengthen its role of continuity between annual editions through multi-year implementation-oriented cycles, producing operational syntheses that can be used by governments, UN agencies and development actors. Policy Networks could consolidate recommendations based on field experience, while Best Practice Forums would document replicable approaches that contribute to the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in terms of digital infrastructure, inclusion and climate resilience.
The IGF's network of national and regional initiatives is a key lever for connecting global discussions to local realities. A structured feedback mechanism from NRIs would document the concrete contributions of digital technology to national priorities related to WSIS and the SDGs, strengthen South-South exchanges and facilitate the adaptation of good practices to developing country contexts.

Finally, the IGF can strengthen its contribution to the Global Digital Compact by assuming a role as a multi-stakeholder monitoring platform, including through the annual consolidation of intersessional outcomes into a synthetic contribution to the WSIS processes and the Global Digital Compact monitoring mechanisms. By consolidating transparency, accountability and balanced participation among stakeholders, the IGF builds trust in global digital governance and contributes to translating international commitments into concrete, inclusive and sustainable actions.

The overarching theme of IGF 2026 could mark a transitional stage between dialogue and implementation by building around inclusive and accountable digital governance that can support trust, resilience and sustainable development in the context of WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact. The programme should reflect the evolution of digital towards systemic issues, where data governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and meaningful access become structuring levers for economic, social and environmental transformations. The thematic axes could be organized around structuring priorities such as the governance of data of public interest, the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence, the resilience of digital ecosystems and digital inclusion beyond simple connectivity.

The design of the programme could evolve towards formats more oriented towards co-construction and the practical usefulness of the discussions. In addition to traditional sessions, the introduction of collaborative formats such as policy challenge sessions, solution prototyping workshops or structured feedback of intersessional work would produce lessons that can be directly exploited at the national and regional levels. A better structuring of the programme into continuous thematic tracks would facilitate the progress of discussions throughout the Forum and reduce fragmentation between sessions.

Intersessional work, including Public Policy Networks and Good Practice Forums, could be organized in multi-year cycles to gradually move from identifying challenges to documenting practices and formulating non-binding policy guidance. The IGF's national and regional initiatives could play a central role in this process by ensuring feedback from the field, particularly in the contexts of the Global South where the challenges of infrastructure, technical capacity and access to advanced technologies remain decisive.

Finally, the IGF could strengthen its overall impact by incorporating an annual synthesis mechanism explicitly linking the outcomes of intersessional work to the priorities of WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda. This synthesis could take the form of a mapping table between the Forum's discussions, the identified good practices and the relevant Sustainable Development Goals, thus facilitating the use of the outcomes of the IGF process by governments, international organizations and technical communities engaged in digital governance.

Submission ID: 45

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Maryam Rasheed

Organization: HG Telecommunications Pvt. Ltd.

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

My interest lies in exploring the intersection of AI, human rights, and inclusive connectivity, with a particular focus on gender-responsive Internet governance. I am keen to understand how AI systems impact freedom of expression, access to information, and digital rights, especially for women and marginalized communities. I also aim to contribute to discussions on policy frameworks that promote ethical AI deployment while ensuring universal access and meaningful connectivity in developing and underserved regions.

The IGF can better support the implementation of WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by strengthening issue-focused intersessional work, promoting measurable follow-up actions, and ensuring stronger linkages between policy discussions and national and regional implementation. By amplifying multistakeholder inputs, tracking progress on digital inclusion and human rights, and aligning sessions with SDG-related priorities, the IGF can serve as a practical platform for translating global digital commitments into actionable outcomes.

The IGF programme could benefit from an overarching theme that emphasizes inclusive and rights-based digital development. Thematic tracks should be more outcome-oriented, linking policy discussions to practical implementation and regional experiences. Interactive formats such as roundtables, policy labs, and cross-track sessions would enhance engagement, while the programme design should ensure balanced representation and meaningful participation from diverse stakeholder groups.

Submission ID: 46

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: David Wright

Organization: Non Profit

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms, Technical and Operational Topics

These themes are closely interconnected. Current debates on content policy and children’s rights are increasingly shaped by technical decisions taken at the protocol and standards level, including encryption and privacy-preserving architectures. While these developments bring important benefits, they can also have unintended consequences for the prevention of online harm, the effectiveness of safety tools, and access to remedy for victims of abuse, including non-consensual intimate image abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

IGF 2026 provides an opportunity to examine how content regulation, children’s rights online, and internet protocols interact in practice, and how governance processes can better anticipate and address these impacts through inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue.

The IGF is uniquely positioned to support implementation of the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by acting as a bridge between high-level commitments and real-world governance challenges.

Across all three frameworks, there is a shared emphasis on human rights, inclusion, trust, and safety in digital spaces. However, implementation gaps remain, particularly in addressing online harms such as non-consensual intimate image abuse, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and risks to children, which cut across development, rights, and security agendas.

The IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work could contribute by:

- Examining how emerging technologies and technical standards (including encryption and privacy-preserving architectures) affect the practical delivery of commitments under the Global Digital Compact, especially around safety, accountability, and access to remedy.

- Providing a multistakeholder space to assess how WSIS principles translate into platform governance, content regulation, and child protection outcomes in different regional contexts, including the Global South.

- Supporting SDG implementation by connecting digital governance discussions to concrete impacts on gender equality, child protection, access to justice, and institutional effectiveness.

By focusing on implementation, interoperability, and inclusion, rather than abstract principles alone, the IGF can help ensure global digital commitments lead to measurable, rights-respecting outcomes.

The IGF 2026 programme could benefit from an overarching theme that emphasises implementation, impact, and accountability, reflecting the growing gap between global digital commitments and lived experiences online.

Rather than organising discussions primarily around abstract principles, thematic tracks could increasingly focus on how governance choices translate into real-world outcomes, including safety, access to remedy, trust in digital services, and the protection of vulnerable groups such as children and women. Cross-cutting issues like online harm, emerging technologies, and technical standards would benefit from being examined through multiple lenses (rights, development, infrastructure, and security) rather than siloed tracks.

In terms of format and design, the IGF could:

- Expand the use of problem-focused sessions that explore specific governance challenges across regions and stakeholder groups.

- Strengthen links between annual sessions and intersessional work, enabling issues raised at the IGF to feed into sustained dialogue and follow-up.

- Continue to prioritise interactive and hybrid formats, ensuring meaningful participation from the Global South and under-represented communities.

By foregrounding practical challenges, inclusive participation, and pathways to implementation, the IGF can remain both relevant and impactful as digital governance enters a more operational phase.

Submission ID: 47

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Ahmath Bamba MBACKE

Organization: Chapitre ISOC SENEGAL

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms

Intégration WSIS+20
Les travaux préparatoires du FGI peuvent inclure des sessions dédiées au suivi des lignes d'action WSIS (C1, C4, C11), avec des rapports annuels à la CSTD évaluant les progrès.

Intégrer la question de gouvernance face aux offres de connexion internet satellitaire pour couvrir les risques d'atteinte à la souveraineté

Submission ID: 48

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Prashansa Joshi

Organization: Verisk Analytics

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation, Rights and Freedoms

The IGF programme could benefit from an overarching theme that emphasises implementation and collaboration, such as moving from principles to practice in building an inclusive, secure, and trustworthy digital future.

In terms of thematic tracks, the IGF could more clearly connect technical issues with human rights and development outcomes. For example, tracks could be designed around cross-cutting challenges such as digital trust and safety, equitable access and capacity building, and multistakeholder governance in practice. This would help break silos between policy, technical, and community perspectives.

Regarding format and design, the IGF could prioritise more interactive and outcome-oriented sessions. Co-learning workshops, policy labs, and regional case-study exchanges would allow participants to share practical tools, lessons learned, and scalable models. Strengthening hybrid participation through regional hubs, multilingual facilitation, and structured online engagement would also ensure meaningful inclusion of participants who cannot attend in person.

Overall, a more participatory, collaborative, and action-focused programme design would strengthen the IGF’s role as a platform for shaping real-world digital policy and practice.

Submission ID: 49

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Kevin Mukebdi

Organization: Youth IGF DRC

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Submission ID: 50

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Pablo Casas

Organization: Poder Judicial Ciudad de Buenos Aires Argentina

Stakeholder Group: Government (Judiciary)

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Se ha desarrollado junto con Sociedad Civil (DataGenero) una herramienta de IA (AymurAI) que anonimiza localmente resoluciones judiciales que luego se publican como datos abiertos (estructurados y no estructurados) en bases de datos de acceso público.

El trabajo que venimos planificando e implementando en el Juzgado relativo a Datos Abiertos con proteccion de Datos Personales con IA fue reonocido por PNUD y ONU como un caso de exito en terminos de los ODS 5 y 16 de la agenda 2030

Submission ID: 51

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Abdoulaye Mahamat Ali

Organization: ONG ASHAD

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Media and Content

Submission ID: 52

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Richa Sinha

Organization: NA

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

By inviting and respecting marginalized communities.

Yes we need more discussions around strengthening the internet and digital ecosystem to make it resilient for climate effect to fight against climate change.

Submission ID: 53

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: BARKHA MANRAL

Organization: IIRO

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

The IGF already sits at a unique intersection of technology, policy, and people. To better contribute to the outcomes of WSIS, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda, the focus needs to shift from only discussing issues to supporting real-world implementation and follow-up.

At the annual meeting, this can happen by more clearly linking discussions to practical outcomes. Sessions could be framed around “what worked, what didn’t, and why” when it comes to digital inclusion, rights, cybersecurity, or capacity building. Creating clearer pathways from dialogue to action—such as voluntary commitments, policy toolkits, or best-practice repositories—would help translate global agendas into something communities and governments can actually use.

For intersessional work, the IGF can play a stronger role as a living lab for the Global Digital Compact and the SDGs. Dynamic coalitions and policy networks can track progress, identify gaps, and share lessons across regions, especially from the Global South. This continuous engagement ensures that global commitments don’t remain abstract but evolve based on real challenges faced by users, youth, women, and underserved communities.

Most importantly, the IGF should keep people at the center. By amplifying voices from youth, grassroots organizations, technical communities, and developing regions, the IGF can ensure that global digital goals are not just ambitious on paper but inclusive, realistic, and locally relevant.

In short, the IGF’s real strength lies in its ability to connect global visions with everyday digital realities—and by leaning into that role, it can meaningfully support WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.

no

Submission ID: 54

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Thorsten Jelinek

Organization: Hertie School

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Allow me to propose a conceptual framework to support current AI governance debates. This contribution introduces PRMO (Perception–Representation–Meaning–Real) as a governance ontology for AI systems, challenging the prior that AI primarily imitates human intelligence or language. Instead, PRMO starts from the prior that AI outputs increasingly function as inputs into human sense-making processes, shaping how meaning is produced, stabilised, and acted upon in social and institutional contexts. As this mediation of meaning becomes partially automated, AI systems may contribute to forms of synthetic sociality, in which participation in meaning formation is structured by machine agents rather than solely by human interaction.
By distinguishing between technical system layers and socio-institutional layers, PRMO explains why model-centric, data-centric, or ethics-only governance approaches systematically fail to address emerging risks associated with artificial subjectivity, agentic systems, and automated meaning mediation. These dynamics have direct implications for how societies govern participation, accountability, and contestability in collective meaning formation, making them a critical concern for AI governance and digital cooperation. For more information: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.12938

I would explicitly address the rise of "synthetic sociality" and "artificial subjectivity" to stress that AI is not solely about the imitation of human intelligence and human forms of expression, but about how AI outputs are used in processes of meaning formation; first through human users, and increasingly through machine agents that operate as artificial subjects. A common framework is needed to instigate public debate, highlight the risks of human exclusion from meaning formation, and identify governance approaches such as quadrangulation.

Submission ID: 55

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Chuang Liu

Organization: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Digital Cooperation, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Submission ID: 56

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Wasiu Babatunde Ajani

Organization: ECOSOC,UNFCCC,UNCCD

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Rights and Freedoms

1.
Economic issues and development are closely linked, as challenges such as poverty, unemployment, inflation, and unequal income distribution can slow a country’s progress. Limited access to education, healthcare, and financial resources often prevents large parts of the population from contributing fully to economic growth. In many developing regions, dependence on a narrow range of industries or exports makes economies vulnerable to global market changes, while weak infrastructure and governance can discourage investment and innovation.

Economic development focuses on addressing these issues by improving living standards, expanding economic opportunities, and building resilient systems. This includes investing in education and skills, strengthening institutions, promoting industrial diversification, and encouraging sustainable use of resources. When economic policies prioritize inclusive growth and long-term stability, development can reduce inequality, create jobs, and improve overall quality of life, leading to more balanced and sustainable economic progress.

2.
Environmental sustainability and climate change are major global concerns that affect natural ecosystems, human health, and economic stability. Rapid industrialization, deforestation, pollution, and excessive use of fossil fuels have increased greenhouse gas emissions, leading to rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes threaten biodiversity, food security, and water resources, particularly in vulnerable communities that have limited capacity to adapt.
Environmental sustainability focuses on meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This involves adopting renewable energy sources, conserving natural resources, reducing waste, and promoting environmentally responsible policies and lifestyles. By integrating sustainable practices into development planning and taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, societies can protect the environment while supporting long-term economic and social well-being.

3.
Rights and freedom are essential for ensuring that individuals can live with dignity, equality, and personal autonomy. These principles protect people’s ability to think, speak, and act without unjust interference, while also guaranteeing safety and fair treatment under the law. Rights and freedoms encourage active participation in society and help maintain balance between individual liberty and social responsibility.

Human rights are universal standards that apply to every person regardless of background, nationality, or belief. They include civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights such as the right to life, education, healthcare, and freedom from discrimination. Upholding human rights strengthens justice and peace, promotes equality, and supports the overall development and well-being of societies.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) can better reflect and contribute to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) by aligning its annual meeting themes and discussions more closely with WSIS action lines. This can be achieved by encouraging sessions that assess progress, share best practices, and identify gaps in areas such as digital inclusion, access to information, capacity building, and multistakeholder participation. Strengthening reporting mechanisms and linking discussions to measurable outcomes would also help ensure that IGF dialogues support WSIS follow-up and review processes.

In relation to the Global Digital Compact (GDC), the IGF can serve as a key platform for advancing shared principles on digital cooperation, trust, and human-centered digital development. Through its intersessional work, the IGF can facilitate ongoing dialogue among governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and academia to translate GDC commitments into practical actions. Policy networks, best practice forums, and dynamic coalitions can be used to explore issues such as digital public infrastructure, online safety, data governance, and emerging technologies, supporting coherent and inclusive implementation.

To contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the IGF should continue to highlight how digital technologies can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing risks such as inequality and exclusion. By linking IGF outcomes to specific SDGs, promoting cross-sector collaboration, and amplifying voices from developing countries and marginalized communities, the IGF can help ensure that digital transformation supports sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development worldwide.

An effective overarching theme for the IGF programme could focus on inclusive, safe, and sustainable digital transformation, emphasizing how internet governance can support human rights, development, and innovation for all. The thematic tracks could be aligned with global priorities such as digital inclusion and access, trust and safety online, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, data governance, and the role of digital technologies in achieving sustainable development. Clear alignment with the WSIS process, the Global Digital Compact, and the SDGs would help ensure relevance and continuity across global digital policy agendas.

In terms of format, the IGF programme could benefit from more interactive and solution-oriented sessions rather than primarily discussion-based panels. This could include policy labs, multistakeholder roundtables, scenario-based workshops, and collaborative drafting sessions that aim to produce concrete outputs such as policy recommendations, toolkits, or best practice guidelines. Encouraging regional and national IGF initiatives to feed directly into the global programme would also strengthen bottom-up participation and global representation.

For programme design, greater emphasis could be placed on inclusivity, accessibility, and innovation. Hybrid participation should be enhanced to ensure meaningful engagement from developing countries, youth, and marginalized communities. Cross-cutting sessions that connect multiple thematic tracks can help break silos, while clear outcome summaries and follow-up mechanisms can ensure that IGF discussions translate into ongoing action and measurable impact beyond the annual meeting.

Submission ID: 58

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: IMEN Ameur

Organization: Co-chair technology policy

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Economic Issues and Development, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Submission ID: 59

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Molly Pugh-Jones

Organization: STOPAIDS

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

The IGF should host open, inclusive dialogues among stakeholders on the interconnections between the three processes. These sessions could include presentations from, for example, chairs of the processes, but should focus on interactive elements such as dialogue rather than re-hashing what has already been agreed.

It would be great to see more diversity in the programme through young people, civil society and communities having the opportunity to lead the design and delivery of the programme. Within this, it would be good to see equal balance of region, gender identity, and interest groups. Support should be provided to ensure this is an equitable opportunity, including translation and other access enablers.

Submission ID: 60

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Clifford Erhiyodavwe Edevbie

Organization: Clean Climate and Environment Campaign Initiative

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Rights and Freedoms

To achieve this, the IGF could consider the following strategies:

1. Strengthening partnerships and collaborations: Foster closer relationships with governments, international organizations, private sector entities, and civil society to leverage resources, expertise, and influence.
2. Aligning IGF themes with global agendas: Ensure that the IGF's annual themes and discussions are closely aligned with the objectives and priorities of the WSIS, Global Digital Compact, and 2030 Agenda.
3. Facilitating policy dialogue and knowledge sharing: Provide a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in implementing digital policies and initiatives that support sustainable development.
4. Supporting capacity building and empowerment: Offer training, resources, and opportunities for stakeholders, particularly from developing countries, to enhance their digital capacities and participate effectively in global digital governance.
5. Encouraging Multi-stakeholder engagement: Foster inclusive participation from diverse stakeholders, including governments, private sector, civil society, and academia, to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered in digital policy-making processes.
6. Monitoring and Evaluating progress: Establish mechanisms to track and assess the impact of IGF discussions and outcomes on the implementation of global digital agendas, providing insights for continuous improvement.
7. Communicating IGF outcomes effectively: Ensure that IGF outcomes, recommendations, and key messages are effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, to inform and influence digital policy decisions.

By implementing these strategies, the IGF can enhance its contribution to global digital governance, support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable digital future for all

Overarching Theme:
A possible overarching theme for the IGF could be "Digital Cooperation for a Sustainable Future." This theme aligns with the UN's broader goals and emphasizes the critical role of digital technologies in achieving sustainable development.

Thematic Tracks:
Some potential thematic tracks for the IGF programme could include:

1. Digital Inclusion and Accessibility: Focusing on bridging the digital divide, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring accessible digital services for all.
2. Cybersecurity and Trust: Exploring ways to enhance cybersecurity, promote trust in digital technologies, and address issues related to data protection and privacy.
3. Digital Economy and Trade: Discussing the opportunities and challenges of the digital economy, including e-commerce, digital payments, and the impact of digitalization on trade.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies: Examining the implications of AI and other emerging technologies on society, economy, and governance.
5. Digital Governance and Policy: Focusing on the development of inclusive, multi-stakeholder digital governance frameworks and policies that promote sustainable development.
6. Environmental Sustainability and Digital Technologies: Exploring the role of digital technologies in addressing environmental challenges, such as climate change, and promoting sustainable development.

Format and Design:
To make the IGF programme more engaging and effective, consider the following:

1. Interactive Sessions: Incorporate more interactive formats, such as workshops, hackathons, and roundtable discussions, to facilitate dialogue and collaboration.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Participation: Ensure diverse participation from governments, private sector, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to promote inclusive and representative discussions.
3. Regional and Global Perspectives: Include regional and global perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of digital issues and challenges.
4. Youth and Emerging Leaders: Provide opportunities for youth and emerging leaders to participate and contribute to the programme, ensuring fresh perspectives and ideas.
5. Innovation Showcase: Create a platform for innovators and start-ups to showcase their solutions and ideas, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

These ideas aim to stimulate discussion and contribute to the development of a dynamic and inclusive IGF programme that addresses the pressing digital issues of our time.

Submission ID: 61

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Nancy Kanasa

Organization: Department of Information and Communications Technology

Stakeholder Group: Government (Policy )

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Submission ID: 62

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Mark Ruiyi

Organization: Nairobi county Assembly.

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

None

By continuous stakeholders engagement.

Yes .

Submission ID: 63

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Serigne Abdoul ahad Ndiaye

Organization: Assemblee Nationale

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Submission ID: 64

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Lillian Nalwoga

Organization: 🔒

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms

Submission ID: 65

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Christine Chinyanta

Organization: None

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

The IGF can better contribute to the implementation of WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda by strengthening alignment, practical outputs, and follow-up mechanisms.

First, IGF themes and session tracks should clearly link to WSIS Action Lines, GDC commitments, and relevant SDGs to make discussions more implementation-focused.

Second, intersessional work (Best Practice Forums, Policy Networks, Dynamic Coalitions) should produce practical outputs such as policy guidance, toolkits, and voluntary recommendations that directly support digital inclusion, AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital rights.

Third, the IGF can introduce regular stocktaking sessions to reflect on progress and gaps in digital commitments, while maintaining its non-negotiating, multistakeholder nature.

Finally, stronger collaboration with National and Regional IGFs, UN agencies, and development partners can help localize global commitments and translate dialogue into capacity-building and concrete action.

The overarching theme for IGF 2026 could focus on “Digital Governance for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” emphasizing implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the SDGs.

Thematic tracks could cover:

Meaningful connectivity and digital inclusion

Trust, safety, and human rights online

AI and emerging technologies governance

Digital public infrastructure and innovation

The programme design should be more outcome-oriented, with clear key messages, implementation-focused roundtables, stronger presentation of intersessional outputs, and increased participation from youth and underrepresented regions.

Submission ID: 66

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Ntokozo Ncube

Organization: Solusi University

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Submission ID: 67

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Torsten Krause

Organization: Stiftung Digitale Chancen | Digital Opportunities Foundation Germany

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Rights and Freedoms

Proposals for the annual IGF may reflect links/contributions to the WSIS, GDC and/or SDG, not only by mentioning this link/contribution, for example by naming an SDG number, but also by explaining the contributions/results for the relevant goals.

Beyound Oslo 2025 and Riyadh 2024, it would be highly appreciated to held another High Level Session on Children´s Rights again.

Submission ID: 68

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Fatima Rezaie

Organization: Educate2Empower

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

In addition to the thematic areas I selected, I want to emphasize why these issues are deeply personal to me. As an Afghan educational content creator working with youth who have been cut off from physical classrooms since 2021, I have witnessed how the Internet has become the last remaining space where young people, especially girls, can learn, express themselves, and stay connected to the world. Every day, I see students studying quietly in the early morning hours to avoid detection, sharing one device among siblings, or using unstable connections to attend online workshops because it is their only chance to continue their education. These moments remind me that digital governance is not an abstract policy field; it is a lifeline for those whose rights and freedoms have been stripped away offline. This is why I believe the IGF must continue to champion meaningful connectivity, safe digital spaces, and inclusive media ecosystems that reflect the realities of marginalized communities. By bringing lived experience into global discussions, the IGF can ensure that its work not only advances WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda, but also honors the resilience of young people who depend on the Internet for hope, opportunity, and a sense of belonging in a world that has tried to silence them.

The IGF can better contribute to the WSIS+20 outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by grounding its work in the lived realities of communities who rely on the Internet as their only remaining pathway to education, rights, and participation. As an Afghan educational content creator supporting youth, especially young women banned from schooling since 2021, I see firsthand how meaningful connectivity, multilingual access, digital literacy, and human‑rights‑based technology governance directly shape futures. For millions of Afghan learners, digital spaces are not optional; they are the last classroom left.

The IGF can strengthen its impact by prioritizing inclusive and low‑bandwidth digital ecosystems, integrating crisis‑affected and underserved groups into consultations and intersessional work, and aligning its outputs with SDG 4, 5, 10, and 16. For IGF 2026, an overarching theme such as “Digital Futures for All: Rights, Access, and Inclusion in a Fragmented World” would reflect global priorities while creating space for discussions on meaningful connectivity, digital rights in restrictive environments, media and content integrity, and inclusive digital public infrastructure. A program design that includes youth‑led sessions, multilingual access, low‑bandwidth participation options, and story-driven dialogues from marginalized communities would ensure the IGF remains a truly global, bottom‑up space, one that reflects the commitments of WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda while elevating the voices of those, like the Afghan youth I work with, who depend on the Internet for hope, opportunity, and survival.

A powerful direction for the IGF program would be to center a theme such as “Digital Futures for All: Reimagining Access, Rights, and Voice in a Divided World.” This theme reflects global priorities while creating space for communities like the Afghan youth I work with, who rely entirely on digital spaces for education, expression, and connection. As an Afghan educational content creator supporting young women who have been banned from school since 2021, I see every day how digital governance decisions shape real futures. Thematic tracks could explore meaningful connectivity as a human right, digital rights and freedoms in restrictive environments, and the integrity of media and content in crisis contexts. I believe the IGF should experiment with formats that bring lived experience into policy spaces, such as story‑driven sessions where young people from conflict zones share how the Internet has become their only classroom, or low‑bandwidth participation models that mirror the realities of those with limited access. Youth‑led dialogues, multilingual access, and creative formats that elevate marginalized voices would ensure the IGF remains a truly global, bottom‑up space that reflects the commitments of WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda while amplifying the perspectives of those who depend on the Internet for hope, opportunity, and survival.

Submission ID: 69

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Micheal Moroundiya Akinremi

Organization: Omnipotent Ads consult

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

I am a young digital ecosystem builder from Nigeria working at the intersection of digital inclusion, capacity building, and internet governance awareness. Through my work in digital marketing, technology training, and youth engagement initiatives, I actively interact with students, small businesses, and first-time internet users who face challenges such as misinformation, limited digital skills, online safety risks, and lack of awareness of digital rights.
Participating in IGF will allow me to bridge global policy discussions with grassroots realities in my local community. I intend not only to learn but also to contribute practical perspectives from underserved users in developing regions where connectivity exists but meaningful access is still limited.
After the IGF, I plan to organize local awareness sessions and simplified policy conversations to translate complex internet governance topics into understandable knowledge for young people and small entrepreneurs. I will also share key outcomes through online content, community discussions, and collaboration with local stakeholders and the Nigeria IGF community to strengthen youth participation in internet governance processes.
My goal is to act as a connector bringing community experiences into global conversations and bringing global knowledge back into local impact.

The IGF can better reflect and contribute to the implementation of WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda by evolving from a discussion platform into a coordination and accountability ecosystem.
First, the IGF annual meeting should strengthen outcome-oriented processes. Instead of ending with general messages, the forum can produce measurable action tracks aligned with WSIS action lines, SDG targets, and GDC commitments such as universal connectivity, data governance, digital trust, and human rights online. Each session track should include clear policy recommendations and voluntary commitments from governments, private sector, civil society, and technical community stakeholders.
Second, IGF intersessional work (NRIs, BPFs, Policy Networks, and DCs) should function as implementation laboratories. National and Regional IGFs can localize global agreements by translating GDC and SDG goals into country-specific priorities such as affordable internet access, digital literacy, youth inclusion, and local content development. Outputs from NRIs should feed directly into global policy tracking dashboards managed by the IGF Secretariat.
Third, the IGF should introduce a voluntary progress reporting mechanism. Stakeholders can periodically submit implementation updates on WSIS action lines and GDC commitments. This would not be regulatory but collaborative creating transparency, knowledge sharing, and peer learning while respecting the multi stakeholder model.
Finally, the IGF should strengthen partnerships with UN agencies and development institutions to connect dialogue with funding and capacity-building programs. By linking discussions to development projects, especially in the Global South, the IGF will directly support SDGs such as quality education (SDG4), industry and innovation (SDG9), reduced inequalities (SDG10), and strong institutions (SDG16).
Through measurable outcomes, localized implementation, voluntary accountability, and development partnerships, the IGF can move from dialogue to impact and serve as the bridge connecting WSIS, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.

Yes. The IGF programme can be strengthened by making it more problem-solving oriented, inclusive, and implementation-driven.

Overarching Theme:
The annual theme should focus on Building an Inclusive and Trustworthy Digital Future and be structured around real-world impact rather than abstract policy dialogue. Each year’s theme should connect directly to current global digital challenges such as AI governance, data protection, online safety, digital inequality, and sustainable digital infrastructure.
Thematic Tracks:
Tracks should be simplified into a few clear pillars that align with the Global Digital Compact and SDGs:
Universal and meaningful connectivity
Digital trust, safety, and human rights online
Data governance and emerging technologies (AI)
Digital economy and innovation
Capacity building and youth empowerment
Each track should end with practical outputs such as policy toolkits, best practices, or implementation roadmaps rather than only discussion summaries.
Format:
The programme should move beyond panels to more participatory formats policy labs, simulations, collaborative drafting sessions, and stakeholder clinics where participants co-create solutions. Youth, Global South stakeholders, and first-time participants should be actively integrated as speakers and rapporteurs instead of observers.
Design:
Sessions should be interconnected, where outputs from workshops feed into high-level sessions and eventually into an IGF action summary. A digital collaboration platform should allow participants to continue work before and after the meeting to ensure continuity and implementation tracking.
By focusing on participation, co-creation, and measurable outputs, the IGF programme can evolve from a conference into a continuous multistakeholder process that produces real policy and development impact.

Submission ID: 70

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Anselme Andriavelonera

Organization: Institut National des Sciences Comptables et de l'Administration d'Entreprises (INSCAE )

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Submission ID: 71

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Laingo Nantenaina RAJAONARIMANANA

Organization: Ecole Supérieur Polytechnique d'Antananarivo - Université d'Antananarivo

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Submission ID: 72

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: May Siksik

Organization: Innovation Network Global

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

As digital technologies increasingly shape public services, economies, and social systems, there is a growing need to move beyond high-level principles toward governance approaches that are operational, scalable, and embedded directly into technology design. The IGF has a unique role to play in convening multidisciplinary expertise to explore how governance can function as enabling infrastructure - supporting trust, accountability, and inclusion while allowing innovation to scale across diverse contexts.

In particular, emerging approaches to system-level governance of AI and data - such as privacy-preserving, federated, and decentralized architectures - offer practical pathways for addressing long-standing challenges around data protection, cross-border use, and collective impacts. These approaches merit sustained, multistakeholder examination within the IGF, especially where traditional individual-centric governance models are insufficient for complex digital ecosystems.

The IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work can strengthen implementation of WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by focusing on how global commitments are translated into deployable governance models in real-world settings. This includes advancing shared understanding of governance-by-design approaches that integrate human rights, data protection, and accountability directly into digital systems rather than relying solely on ex post controls.

Greater attention to applied use cases - particularly in public-interest domains such as health, digital identity, and service delivery - can help demonstrate how emerging technologies contribute to the SDGs when governance is treated as a core design requirement. Intersessional outputs that connect policy objectives with standards, certification mechanisms, and implementation lessons would further support coherence between WSIS follow-up, the Global Digital Compact, and national and regional digital strategies.

An overarching theme for IGF 2026 could emphasize “From Principles to Practice: Governing Digital Systems at Scale.” This framing would allow the IGF to address not only what values and norms are needed, but how they are implemented within complex AI and data ecosystems.

Thematic tracks could be designed to bridge policy, technical, and societal perspectives, with dedicated space for system-level governance, emerging technologies beyond AI alone, and cross-border challenges. Programme design would benefit from formats that combine policy dialogue with implementation-oriented sessions, including case-based discussions, cross-stakeholder roundtables, and curated exchanges between Dynamic Coalitions, standards bodies, and practitioners. Such an approach would reinforce the IGF’s role as a platform that supports practical progress while maintaining its multistakeholder and non-binding character.

Submission ID: 73

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Mamoqenelo Morolong

Organization: Internet Society of Lesotho

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Submission ID: 74

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Alidjanatou SALIOU AREKPA

Organization: National Assembly of BENIN

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

Theme general Propose: gouvernance des données

- Comment rendre l'Afrique souvereine de ses donnees

Submission ID: 75

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Preeti kamra Preeti Kamra

Organization: DAV COLLEGE

Stakeholder Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust

As a Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Internet Governance community applying under the cybersecurity track, I believe the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) can significantly strengthen its contribution to global agendas by positioning cybersecurity as a core implementation pillar of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

First, IGF should explicitly align cybersecurity discussions with WSIS Action Line C5 (building confidence and security in ICTs). Each annual meeting should produce concise, action-oriented policy messages on cyber resilience, CERT development, critical infrastructure protection, and cross-border cooperation—feeding directly into WSIS follow-up processes.Second, to operationalize the Global Digital Compact, IGF must move from dialogue to delivery. This can be achieved through structured “Cybersecurity Implementation Labs,” voluntary progress reporting on cyber capacity-building commitments, and practical toolkits tailored to developing countries. Such outputs would translate GDC principles on secure and interoperable digital systems into measurable governance pathways.Third, cybersecurity must be framed as essential to achieving SDG 9 (innovation), SDG 16 (strong institutions), and SDG 17 (partnerships). Without cyber resilience, digital public infrastructure, e-governance, and digital economies remain fragile. IGF intersessional work should therefore integrate SDG-linked indicators and publish an annual synthesis highlighting progress and gaps in cyber readiness.
By institutionalizing structured outputs, implementation tracking, and regional feedback loops, IGF can evolve from a discussion platform into a catalytic mechanism that advances secure, inclusive, and development-oriented digital governance worldwide.

Themetic area -Cybersecurity and Trust
Tropic -Securing Digital Futures: Trust, Resilience and Inclusive Governance in Action
workshop Title - Cyber Resilience Policy Sprint (CRPS)
A 90-minute structured, output-driven working session
This format moves beyond panel discussion and produces a tangible governance output that can feed into WSIS follow-up, the Global Digital Compact, and SDG reporting.

Objective
Co-develop a “Minimum Cyber Resilience Action Framework” applicable to developing and developed countries, focusing on trust, institutional readiness, and inclusive governance.

Session Structure (90 Minutes)
1. Framing (15 minutes)
• 3 short inputs (5 minutes each):
o Government regulator (policy perspective)
o Technical community/CERT representative (operational risks)
o Civil society or Global South voice (capacity & inclusion gaps)
Each speaker identifies one urgent resilience gap.

2. Rapid Multistakeholder Breakouts (40 minutes)
Participants divide into 3 thematic tables:
• Table A: Institutional Resilience
(National strategies, CERTs, coordination mechanisms)
• Table B: Technical & Infrastructure Security
(Critical infrastructure, supply-chain risk, AI security)
• Table C: Inclusive Governance & Trust
(Human rights safeguards, SME readiness, cross-border cooperation)
Each group answers 3 structured questions:
1. What is the most urgent vulnerability?
2. What is one realistic policy action within 2 years?
3. What indicator can measure progress?
A facilitator captures responses in a standardized template.

3. Synthesis & Action Commitments (25 minutes)
Each table reports back (5 minutes each).
Moderator consolidates outputs into:
• 5–7 priority actions
• Suggested indicators
• Identified support needs (capacity, finance, cooperation)
Participants are invited to voluntarily signal interest in contributing to follow-up work.

4. Closing Deliverable (10 minutes)
Before session end:
• Rapporteur presents a 1-page “Cyber Resilience Action Snapshot.”
• Document uploaded to IGF website within 48 hours.
• Summary transmitted to relevant WSIS and Global Digital Compact processes.

Submission ID: 76

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Martin Gould Martin Gould

Organization: G3ict

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Global Governance Landscape Overview
The global governance of digital accessibility is undergoing significant transformation. While the United Nations has historically served as a central platform for setting norms and coordinating action, 2026 has seen a fragmentation of influence, with regional blocs and multilateral development banks assuming greater roles. The proliferation of digital public infrastructure, AI regulation, and data governance frameworks has created both opportunities and inconsistencies in how accessibility is prioritized and implemented worldwide.
Regional Divergences (EU, AU, ASEAN, LATAM)
The European Union continues to lead with robust regulatory frameworks such as the European Accessibility Act and the Digital Services Act, emphasizing enforceable standards and cross-border harmonization. The African Union is advancing regional digital transformation strategies, though implementation remains uneven. ASEAN countries show growing interest in harmonized digital accessibility norms, particularly in education and e-government. Latin America presents a mixed picture, with progressive national policies in countries like Colombia and Brazil, but limited regional coordination.
Implications of U.S. Withdrawal from UN Forums
The U.S. withdrawal from key UN forums in 2026 has created a vacuum in global accessibility leadership. While domestic commitments to disability rights remain, the absence of U.S. engagement in multilateral settings has weakened global consensus-building efforts. This shift underscores the need for decentralized, multi-stakeholder governance models and elevates the importance of organizations like G3ict in maintaining continuity.
Opportunities for Non-UN-Based Collaboration
In response to geopolitical realignments, new opportunities are emerging for collaboration outside traditional UN structures. Regional alliances, public-private partnerships, and standards bodies are increasingly influential. G3ict can play a catalytic role by facilitating cross-regional dialogues, supporting the development of interoperable standards, and promoting best practices through its global network.
Recommendations for Governments, Multilaterals, and Corporate Partners
1. Governments should prioritize regional cooperation on digital accessibility standards and implementation.
2. Multilateral development banks should integrate accessibility metrics into digital infrastructure financing.
3. Corporations should align with international accessibility norms and invest in inclusive design.
4. All stakeholders should support independent, evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.

Accessibility Innovation & Risk Landscape
This note provides a forward-looking analysis of the key technological, regulatory, and systemic trends shaping the future of digital accessibility. It identifies emerging risks and opportunities, offering strategic insights for governments, industry leaders, and civil society organizations committed to inclusive digital transformation.
AI Governance and Accessibility Implications
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming digital services, but its deployment raises critical accessibility concerns. Algorithmic bias, lack of inclusive training data, and opaque decision-making processes pose risks to persons with disabilities. At the same time, AI offers potential for personalized assistive technologies and automated accessibility remediation. Effective governance frameworks must balance innovation with rights protection.
Digital Public Infrastructure Trends
Governments are investing heavily in digital public infrastructure (DPI) for identity, payments, and data exchange. However, accessibility is often an afterthought in DPI design. There is a pressing need to embed accessibility-by-design principles into DPI development, ensuring that foundational digital systems are inclusive from inception.
Procurement, Compliance, and Regulatory Shifts
Public procurement remains a powerful lever for accessibility, yet enforcement is inconsistent. New regulatory frameworks in the EU and parts of Asia are strengthening compliance mechanisms. Meanwhile, voluntary standards and certification schemes are gaining traction in the private sector.
Global Risk Factors Affecting Accessibility Progress
Key risks include geopolitical instability, economic austerity, and the marginalization of disability rights in digital policy debates. The retreat of major donors from multilateral engagement may reduce funding for accessibility initiatives. Additionally, rapid technological change risks outpacing regulatory adaptation, leaving persons with disabilities behind.
Opportunities for Cross-Sector Alignment
Despite risks, there are significant opportunities for alignment across sectors. Tech companies are increasingly receptive to inclusive design. Development banks are embedding digital inclusion in funding criteria. Civil society organizations are building coalitions to influence national and regional policy.
Strategic Recommendations for Stakeholders
1. Integrate accessibility into AI and DPI governance frameworks from the outset.
2. Strengthen enforcement of accessibility standards through procurement and regulation.
3. Monitor and mitigate emerging risks through continuous research and foresight.
4. Foster cross-sector partnerships to scale inclusive innovation.

Geopolitical Context
At a time when polity and economic pressures create unpredictable turbulence in UN human rights and development forums, a vacuum emerges in global accessibility leadership. This shift opens new opportunities for civil society to collaborate directly with the tech industry, which continues to face global regulatory, market, and ethical pressures to advance digital accessibility. In this environment, civil society can serve as a neutral, globally trusted partner to help companies align with international norms and innovate responsibly.

Submission ID: 77

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF DC DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

It is important that communications between people and ICTs is truthful. Otherwise systems dat will not be representative. Need for clarity, fact checking, truthful data with no misreprentation. So human to computer interaction must be excellent. Meaningful content.

Issues of New World Order, Intellectual Property sharing in an affordable manner

Have virtual access for All Sessions. Try to have more sessions perhaps soem can just be online ref Wsis a few years back. Let all DCs who want to present do so. If there are li item slots pair up a DC with a public proposer. DCs ate recognized and want to share a message.

Submission ID: 78

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF-DC-DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Rights and Freedoms, Technical and Operational Topics, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Rights of digital a rss for disabled with poor eye sight, hearing, mobility functional issues etc

How are the disabled accessibility sustained ? Any public facing digital ap must Inc.ude service foe poor of sight, hearing and other disabilities

Make accessibi,ity for disabilities a key priority for a decade

Submission ID: 79

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Marta Dias

Organization: .PT

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Digital Cooperation, Rights and Freedoms

The IGF should continue to foster meaningful multistakeholder collaboration, ensuring that governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and academia work together not only in dialogue but also in practical follow-up efforts. This cooperation must be grounded in shared responsibility and collective ownership of global digital priorities.
Stronger inclusion requires addressing persistent participation barriers, particularly for stakeholders from developing countries and underrepresented communities. Language accessibility remains essential: expanding multilingual participation, interpretation, and support for local and regional perspectives would help ensure that the IGF reflects the diversity of realities and needs across the globe.
In addition, the IGF can contribute more effectively by facilitating opportunities and funding mechanisms that enable broader participation in both annual meetings and intersessional activities. Without adequate resources, many voices remain absent from the processes shaping digital governance and sustainable development.

In terms of format and programme design, panel composition should be carefully structured to ensure not only multistakeholder representation, but also meaningful geographic diversity and gender balance. Also encouraging intergenerational dialogue and youth participation would further enrich discussions.

Submission ID: 80

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: KABINE DOUMBIA

Organization: APPUI SOLIDAIRE POUR LE RENFORCEMENT DE L AIDE AU DEVELOPPEMENT(ASRAD)

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) plays a critical role as a multistakeholder platform at the intersection of digital policy, sustainable development, and global cooperation. To better reflect and contribute to the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the following actions are recommended:
1. Strengthen Alignment Through Thematic Integration

The IGF annual meeting should:
Explicitly map session themes to WSIS Action Lines, GDC commitments, and specific SDGs.
Introduce a structured “Implementation Track” dedicated to reviewing progress on digital inclusion, digital public infrastructure, AI governance, cybersecurity, and human rights online.
Ensure each main session concludes with clear, actionable policy messages aligned with WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact follow-up processes.

2. Develop Measurable Contribution Mechanisms
To move from dialogue to impact, the IGF could:
Establish voluntary national and regional reporting mechanisms linking IGF discussions to SDG digital targets (e.g., SDG 9, SDG 16, SDG 17).

Create a digital policy implementation repository where stakeholders share best practices.
Strengthen collaboration with the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to integrate digital governance findings into Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).

3. Reinforce Intersessional Work and Policy Coherence
The IGF intersessional activities (Policy Networks, Best Practice Forums, Dynamic Coalitions) should:
Produce structured policy recommendations directly referencing GDC commitments.
Develop annual synthesis reports highlighting progress on digital equity, connectivity gaps, gender digital divides, and AI ethics.
Facilitate joint working groups with UNDESA, ITU, UNESCO, and other UN entities responsible for WSIS follow-up.

4. Prioritize Digital Inclusion and Global South Participation

To ensure equitable implementation:
Increase financial support for participation from developing countries, particularly Africa and Least Developed Countries.
Strengthen National and Regional IGFs (NRIs) as implementation hubs aligned with national SDG strategies.

Promote digital capacity-building initiatives targeting youth, women, and marginalized communities.
For organizations working in regions such as the Sahel, digital governance must be linked to resilience, education, climate adaptation, and access to public services. The IGF can become a platform that connects digital transformation with real development outcomes on the ground.
5. Enhance Accountability and Follow-Up
The IGF could:
Introduce an annual “Digital Implementation Review” segment.
Encourage Member States and stakeholders to present progress updates related to GDC commitments.
Develop indicators measuring how IGF discussions translate into policy reforms, partnerships, and investments.
Conclusion

The IGF is uniquely positioned to serve as the operational bridge between dialogue and implementation in global digital governance. By strengthening thematic alignment, measurable outcomes, intersessional coherence, Global South inclusion, and accountability mechanisms, the IGF can significantly contribute to:
The WSIS review process,
The effective implementation of the Global Digital Compact,
And the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ideas on the IGF Overarching Theme, Thematic Tracks, Format and Design – Considering Africa’s Priorities
Proposed Overarching Theme
“Digital Transformation for Inclusive Development and Resilience in Africa and the Global South”

For Africa, digital governance is not only about innovation — it is about access, equity, economic survival, youth employment, climate resilience, and peacebuilding. The IGF programme should therefore reflect Africa’s structural challenges and demographic opportunities.
1. Thematic Tracks Reflecting African Priorities
A. Universal Connectivity & Affordable Access
In many African countries:
Rural areas remain disconnected
Internet costs remain high
Electricity access is limited

The IGF should prioritize:
Community networks
Public digital infrastructure
Satellite and alternative connectivity solutions
Affordable devices and local manufacturing

Connectivity must be treated as a development right, not a luxury.
B. Digital Skills, Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship

Africa has the youngest population in the world. The IGF programme should include:

Digital skills for youth and women
Coding and AI training ecosystems
Support for African tech startups
Digital economy and informal sector transformation
Digital transformation must create jobs, not widen inequality.

C. Digital Governance, Peace & Security in Fragile Contexts
Several African regions face:
Conflict and instability
Disinformation
Weak institutional capacity

The IGF should address:

Combating online misinformation
Strengthening digital civic space
Cybersecurity capacity-building
Digital tools for conflict prevention
Digital governance must support peace and social cohesion.

D. Digital Technologies for Climate and Environmental Resilience

For regions like the Sahel:
Early warning systems
Climate data governance
Digital agriculture tools
Biodiversity monitoring
are essential.

The IGF should integrate digital governance with climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.

E. Financing Digital Development in Africa
A major gap is financing.
The IGF could:

Promote blended finance models
Encourage partnerships between governments, private sector and civil society
Highlight digital public goods as global public goods
Without sustainable financing, digital inclusion will remain rhetoric.

2. Programme Format Improvements
To better reflect African realities, the IGF could:

✅ Ensure Strong African Representation in Main Sessions
Not only in side events — but as keynote speakers, moderators, and policy contributors.
✅ Strengthen National and Regional IGFs (NRIs)
African NRIs should be supported as implementation platforms linked to national SDG plans.
✅ Introduce “Africa Implementation Labs”
Practical sessions where African stakeholders co-design:

Digital education pilots
Community connectivity models
Climate-tech solutions

✅ Provide Dedicated Participation Funding
Travel and participation support for Least Developed Countries must be strengthened to avoid digital governance being dominated by wealthier regions.

3. Design for Impact
The IGF programme should:
Produce short actionable outcome summaries
Link recommendations to the Global Digital Compact
Integrate African Union digital strategy priorities
Connect discussions to SDG implementation

Conclusion

From an African perspective, the IGF must evolve into a platform that:

Reduces digital inequality
Empowers youth and women
Supports climate resilience
Strengthens peace and governance
Mobilizes financing for digital development
Digital transformation in Africa must be inclusive, equitable, and development-oriented — and the IGF can play a catalytic role in achieving this vision.

Submission ID: 81

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Jeff Ricardo Marcellus

Organization: Initiative Citoyenne pour le Developpement Communautaire Integre (ICDCI-ECOSOC/2025)

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

N/A

N/A

Notre structure aimerait participer a ce forum, nous souhaitons faire une plaidoirie sur les difficultés que rencontrent les gens dans les milieux ruraux Haïtiens, a cause du problème de réseau d'internet. L'accès a l'internet reste un défi majeur pour le développement de ces communautés.

Submission ID: 82

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: SARR Fatou

Organization: COP3S Senegal

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

COP3S Senegal encourages IGF to better connect AI governance, climate action and meaningful connectivity with SDG implementation. Strengthening youth-led initiatives, regional IGFs and Global South participation will help bridge digital divides. IGF should translate global frameworks like WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact into practical, community-driven digital solutions.

COP3S Senegal proposes an IGF theme focused on inclusive digital futures linking AI governance, climate resilience and sustainable development. The programme could include youth-led innovation labs, regional solution showcases and hybrid participation formats to amplify African voices and promote human-centred digital policies aligned with environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

COP3S Senegal suggests an overarching theme linking human-centred AI governance, climate resilience and meaningful connectivity. The programme could include youth innovation labs, regional solution showcases and interactive policy dialogues, using hybrid formats that amplify Global South participation and connect digital governance with sustainable development and environmental priorities.

Submission ID: 83

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Sackey Joseph

Organization: Jetcom enterprise

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

We need to organise our environmental management skills very well, our food and water ,when you visit some area in Africa, we need to do something to help this people

I hereby introduction myself to your high office Mr Joseph sackey of jetcom enterprise also am member of the United nations committed, my opinion about the global digital compact 2030 , agenda for sustainable, I hope this meeting should come to West Africa one day am hoping soon

Submission ID: 84

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Moussa IBRAHIM

Organization: 🔒Internet society chad chapter

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms

Submission ID: 85

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Amali De Silva-Mitchell

Organization: IGF-DC-DDHT

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Technical and Operational Topics, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Interoperability is an issue between devices. The same online search on a mobile phone vs tablet vs computer, they generate different outcomes
This is an issue for disabled persons, those connecting systems such as for health, those developing instructiosn for users, fact checking etc
Interoperability issues will increase with the use of AI and data gathering
How can we resolve these issues?

New world order issues

Applications for reaching the SDGs well for 2030
What is the rush to the finished line, what will be the global achievement
What will our next horizon be ? Planning for it

Submission ID: 86

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Charles Mayanja

Organization: 🔒Rwenzogreen Associates Ltd

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance

PART 1: THE ABSTRACT
Title: Sovereign Intelligence: Deploying Defensive Automation to Enforce the Uganda Data Protection Act in the Era of RaaS
Abstract: In 2024 and 2025, Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups, such as the 'Play' group, specifically targeted African government infrastructure by utilizing automated scrapers to identify misconfigured database endpoints. While the Uganda Data Protection Act (2019) provides the legal framework for privacy, it lacks a technical enforcement mechanism to stop high-velocity, automated exfiltration. This paper presents a "Nuclear" technical architecture tested in a laboratory setting in Kampala. We move beyond theoretical policy to demonstrate Real-Time Jurisdictional Tagging and Bot-Behavioral Analysis. By referencing the 2024 breach of the South African Department of Justice and the e-Citizen attacks in Kenya, this paper argues that African Digital Sovereignty is only achievable when legal policy is synchronized with automated, localized "Kill-Switch" infrastructure.

PART 2: THE FULL POSITION PAPER

Author: Mayanja Charles, Network Administrator , Email: [email protected], Uganda
I. Introduction: The Asymmetric Warfare of Automation
Cybersecurity in the Global South has reached a tipping point. In July 2023, Kenya’s e-Citizen portal faced a massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that paralyzed 5,000 government services. This wasn't just a "hack"; it was an automated siege. As we sit here for IGF 2026, we must acknowledge that our laws are moving at the speed of paper, while our adversaries move at the speed of scripts.
II. Real-World Case Study: The "Play" Ransomware Strategy
In 2024, the Play ransomware group significantly increased its footprint in East Africa. Their methodology follows a predictable, automated pattern:
Automated Reconnaissance: Using customized "headless" browsers to scrape public-facing government directories for CVE-2023-3519 (Citrix ADC) vulnerabilities.
Data Staging: Moving scraped data to local "Sovereign" servers to bypass traditional geo-fencing.
Exfiltration: Silently bleeding data over months to avoid triggering bandwidth alarms. The Lab Response: Our lab successfully replicated these "Play" tactics in a controlled environment. We found that by implementing Gaussian Jitter Detection, we could identify the Ransomware’s automated heart-beat with 98% accuracy, even when the bot attempted to mimic a human user from a Kampala-based IP address.
III. The Defensive Automation Framework (The "Nuclear" Solution)
To enforce the Global Digital Compact, we propose a framework built on three real-world technical pillars:
1. Behavioral Fingerprinting (Not IP Blocking): Modern bots use residential proxy networks (like Luminati/Bright Data) to appear as local citizens. Our framework utilizes Canvas Fingerprinting and TLS-Handshake Analysis (JA3 fingerprints) to identify the machine, not the IP. This is how we distinguish a legitimate Ugandan student from a botnet node.
2. Cryptographic Jurisdictional Tagging: Drawing from the European Gaia-X data sovereignty project, we have adapted "Data Usage Policies" into the packet level. If a database entry marked "UG-Sovereign" is requested by an agent without a valid NITA-U (National Information Technology Authority) digital certificate, the connection is dropped instantly.
3. The Honeypot "Airlock": In our 2025 tests, we deployed "Decoy Directories" containing 10GB of fake "Ministerial Data." Automated scrapers immediately gravitated toward this high-value target, allowing us to capture the C2 (Command and Control) IP addresses of the attackers before they touched our real production servers.
IV. Policy Recommendations for IGF 2026
We call on the IGF and the African Union (AU) to:
Establish Regional Scrubbing Centers: Instead of routing African traffic through European or US nodes for cleaning, we must build automated scrubbing centers in Kampala, Nairobi, and Lagos to keep data within the continent.
Mandate "Robots.txt" Compliance for AI: Global AI firms must be legally and technically compelled to respect "No-Scrape" headers for sensitive national archives.
Technical Capacity Sharing: Shift from "Policy Briefs" to "Code Repositories." The UN should host a Global Defensive Code Library where nations can share "Bot-Deflection" scripts.
V. Conclusion
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a stable digital foundation. We cannot build a digital economy on shifting sands. By deploying the Defensive Automation Framework, Uganda and the wider African continent can move from being "Scraped" to being "Sovereign."


TECHNICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCE LIST
I. Incident Reports & Threat Intelligence (Real-World Baseline)
Check Point Research (2023): "The Siege of e-Citizen: Analyzing the July DDoS Attacks on Kenyan Digital Infrastructure." (Documentation of the automated paralysis of 5,000+ services).
Trend Micro Cyber Risk Index (2024): "Ransomware Evolution in the MEA Region: The Rise of Play and LockBit 3.0 in African Sovereignty Gaps."
Orange Cyberdefense (2024): "Security Navigator: Lateral Movement and Automated Exfiltration in Sub-Saharan Government Networks."
II. Technical Standards & Protocols
Salesforce Engineering / JA3: "JA3/S: Open-source methods for Fingerprinting TLS Client Hello Packets to Identify Malicious Bots." (The basis for your Behavioral Fingerprinting pillar).
OWASP Automated Threats to Web Applications (2025 Update): "OAT-011 (Scraping) and OAT-014 (Invasive Reconnaissance): Mitigation Strategies for High-Velocity Agents."
IETF RFC 9345: "Delegated Credentials for TLS" (Supporting the framework for your Cryptographic Handshakes).
III. Policy & Jurisdictional Frameworks
Government of Uganda: "The Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019." Gazette No. 7, Volume CXII. (The primary legal foundation for your "Jurisdictional Tagging" logic).
African Union (AU) Commission: "The Malabo Convention (African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection)."
European Gaia-X Project: "Technical Architecture Release 24.12: Data Sovereignty Services and Policy Enforcement Nodes." (The real-world model for your "Residency Tagging" proposal).
IV. Laboratory Methodology
Whonix™ Project: "Advanced Security Isolation: Using Gateway-Workstation Architectures for High-Consequence Research."
MITRE ATT&CK® Framework: "Technique T1594: Search Open Publicly Available Data Sources." (Standardizing the classification of scraping as an adversarial stage).

The IGF 2026 should serve as the primary 'Technical Implementation Sandbox' for the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Specifically, intersessional work should focus on creating standardized 'Digital Sovereignty Frameworks' that allow developing nations to protect their local data ecosystems while remaining connected to the global economy. By aligning BPFs (Best Practice Forums) with the GDC’s goals on data governance, the IGF can provide the practical, code-based solutions—such as automated jurisdictional tagging—needed to achieve SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 16 (Strong Institutions).

Proposed Theme: "Sovereign Intelligence: Securing Africa’s Digital Frontiers for a Trusted Global Internet." Format Suggestion: "Move beyond traditional panels towards 'Interactive Policy Labs.' I propose a dedicated Defensive Automation Track where policymakers and engineers co-simulate cyber-threat scenarios (e.g., automated scraping of national registries). This 'hands-on' design ensures that high-level policy outcomes are grounded in technical reality, fostering deeper trust between the Global North and South.
Intersessional Work Proposal (Best Practice Forum)
Title: BPF on Defensive Automation and Data Residency Compliance. Objective: To develop a non-binding, consensus-oriented technical framework that identifies "Good" vs. "Bad" automated agents. This BPF will produce a toolkit for SMEs and Governments in the Global South to implement rate-limiting and cryptographic data-tagging as a means of enforcing national data protection laws (like Uganda’s 2019 Act) without fragmenting the internet.

Submission ID: 87

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Abeer Al-Najjar

Organization: The American University of sharjah

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Media and Content, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

I am particular concerned over equity in education and employment for young people in the non english speaking world. Algorithmic bias is also hugely impacting people in the global south.

equity in education, independent learning and in digital and AI literacies in an open world where injustices are s os structural. Creative solutions have to be explored and examined as real world challenges are mounting.

The digital gap, universal equal access and media and AI literacies.

Submission ID: 88

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Louis NITEREKA

Organization: Représentant d'AJAP Africaine

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

On ne peut pas parler du numerique vers un développement durable sans prendre de dispositions aux préventions et gestions de risques qui en découlent. La gestion des déchets numériques est de grande importance , et sans doit ainsi une priorité aux acteurs divers.

Les réunions annuelles du FGI Contribue considérablement à la mise en œuvre et suivi de résultats du SMSI par la formulation de recommandations et leurs suivis de leur mise en œuvre. Les réunions intersessions permettent d'affronter les questions tant générales que spécifiques , sans oublier l'intégration de femmes et jeunes .

Le numérique au centre d'un développement durable via une inclusion particulière.

Submission ID: 89

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Jana Priyatosh

Organization: Haldia Institute of Technology

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Submission ID: 90

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Mahamat Adoum TIDJANI

Organization: Municipality of the 4th Municipal District

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Digital Cooperation, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Inclusion numérique et gouvernance locale en Afrique;
Le rôle des communes dans la construction d’avenirs numériques inclusifs et résilients.

The IGF must ensure consistency between the follow-up to the WSIS and the new commitments of the Global Digital Compact, guaranteeing a unified approach.
The work must demonstrate in concrete terms how internet governance (access, security, trust) helps to achieve the 17 SDGs, particularly in terms of poverty reduction and sustainable development.
By bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community, the IGF can operationalize the Rio principles and the Tunis process.
Work throughout the year should produce practical recommendations for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to strengthen digital cooperation.

The IGF 2026 must embody:
Balance between innovation (AI, emerging technologies) and fundamentals (access, rights). Fewer sessions for richer, more actionable discussions. Promoting true inclusivity, not just the presence of all stakeholders, but the ability to shape all decisions, is very important.

Submission ID: 91

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Danny Gotto

Organization: Innovations for Development

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Economic Issues and Development

None

Not sure

No idea at the moment

Submission ID: 92

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Katerina Yordanova

Organization: KU Leuven Centre for IT & IP Law (CITIP)

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Economic Issues and Development

Experimental Regulation of AI: Scaling Innovation While Protecting Rights through Sandboxes, Real-World Testing, and Adaptive Oversight

AI governance is moving from principles to implementation. Regulators are under pressure to enable beneficial uses of AI such as productivity, accessibility, public services, climate and health applications, while containing fast-evolving risks (safety failures, discrimination, privacy harms, security abuse, market concentration, and unclear liability). Traditional rulemaking is often too slow for rapidly iterating models and deployments.

Experimental regulation which includes but is not limited to regulatory sandboxes, testbeds, living labs, etc., offers a way to learn quickly and govern effectively if designed well. The OECD has highlighted regulatory experimentation as part of agile regulatory governance, while also noting the need for careful design and evaluation to avoid harms and unintended consequences.

The core focus should be arranged around three pillars: 1) Acceleration of access to market and adoption of trustworthy AI products/services/ business models in domains of priority 2) evidence-based regulation and regulatory knowledge-sharing 3) overcoming governance and capacity gaps in a multi-stakeholder governance framework.

This discussion is urgently needed if we are to fully benefit from the advantages experimental regulation offers. The most notable of these advantages are, on the first place, faster evidence-based governance where pilot results can inform risk thresholds, documentation requirements, and sector-specific rules. Second, the creation of safer innovation pathways (structured testing, red-teaming, monitoring, and incident reporting can reduce harm before wide deployment). Third, prioritising inclusion and creation of public value. Regulatory sandboxes, in particular, can prioritise use cases that expand access, for instance, disability tech, language inclusion, or public service delivery, rather than only high-margin markets. Fourth, contributing to better interoperability and trust-building through shared evaluation methods and reporting that can improve comparability across jurisdictions and reduce fragmentation.

However, there are also some key challenges that has to be discussed and overcome which include: Safety vs. speed trade-offs; uneven capacity and global fragmentation; accountability gaps and “pilot washing; data governance in experimentation; liability and responsibility across the value chain.

Based on the above, we propose some key questions for discussion:
1. What is the minimum “safety and rights baseline” for any AI sandbox (human oversight, transparency to participants, opt-out, incident reporting, remedies)?

2. How should sandboxes define entry/exit criteria, time limits, and pathways to full compliance?

3. What evaluation methods should be “standard”: impact assessments, fairness testing, security testing, environmental metrics, and post-deployment monitoring?

4. How can we prevent sandboxes from distorting competition and ensure SMEs' access?

5. How do we support regulators in the Global South, as well as other states with little experience with the experimental regulation, with capacity, tools, and shared methods so experimentation does not deepen governance inequality?

6. How can experimental regimes address emerging model types such as general-purpose AI, where harms may arise across many downstream contexts?

A possible format that would reflect on the challenges and the questions formulated above could include an interactive session where regulators, civil society, technical experts, and industry co-design sandbox templates and stress-test them with realistic scenarios. Concrete outputs could be the co-creation of: a 'Sandbox Design Checklist' for trustworthy AI; Model clauses for sandbox participation agreements which include data governance, confidentiality vs transparency, participant protection, audit rights; a shared Evaluation Playbook where the regulators can find KPIs for safety, bias, robustness, cybersecurity, environmental impact, and worker impacts; and/or a cross-border Lessons Repository linked to existing AI governance workstreams, including IGF’s Policy Network on AI.

Submission ID: 93

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: BMBFSFJ Reinicke

Organization: Digital Opportunities Foundation

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Rights and Freedoms, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Children’s rights in the digital world are gaining significant global attention and momentum. It is therefore of utmost importance that this is clearly reflected in the high-level sessions of the IGF.

Children’s rights in the digital environment should not be treated solely as a protection issue (e.g., online safety), but as a full spectrum rights agenda. Including access, education, privacy, freedom of expression, and participation (refelcted in the WISIS 20+ and the SDG Goals 4, 5, 9, 10, and 16). To reflect commitments under the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda’s “leave no one behind” principle, the IGF could create intergenerational dialogue formats pairing policymakers with young digital rights advocates.

Submission ID: 94

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Nermin Selim

Organization: 🔒Creators Union of Arab ECOSOC Consultative Status

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Digital Cooperation, Economic Issues and Development, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Cybersecurity and Trust
Cybersecurity and trust are directly linked to other key thematic tracks:
Ethics of Digitalization: Secure systems are essential to uphold responsible artificial intelligence deployment, protect intellectual property, prevent misinformation manipulation, and ensure accountability in digital platforms. Ethical digital transformation depends on secure and reliable digital environments.
Digital Competition and Inclusive Innovation: Fair digital markets require secure platforms and predictable risk environments. Cyber insecurity disproportionately affects small enterprises and creators, limiting their ability to compete. Strengthened cybersecurity frameworks foster market confidence and enable innovation.
Trust in Data Governance: Secure data infrastructures underpin lawful cross-border data flows, privacy protection, and compliance with regulatory standards. Confidence in data exchange mechanisms depends on robust cybersecurity safeguards aligned with rights-based governance models.
In the context of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, cybersecurity and trust directly support SDG 9 (resilient infrastructure) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).
For IGF 2026, this axis could include practical outputs such as cybersecurity capacity toolkits, cross-border cooperation models, and measurable trust indicators, ensuring that dialogue translates into strengthened institutional and societal resilience.

The Creators Union of Arab believes that the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) should evolve from a primarily deliberative platform into a structured implementation accelerator aligned with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In preparing inputs for IGF 2026, and building on the outcomes of IGF 2025, we propose a focused execution framework cantered on three interlinked pillars: digital ethics, digital competition, and trust in data governance.
1. Digital Ethics (Ethics of Digitalization)
IGF intersessional work should advance practical guidelines that operationalize ethical digital transformation. This includes principles for responsible artificial intelligence, protection of digital intellectual property, content authenticity, and safeguarding cultural diversity in online spaces. We recommend establishing measurable implementation indicators aligned with WSIS Action Lines and the GDC, particularly regarding digital inclusion, online safety, and integrity of information ecosystems. Annual reporting on these indicators would enable follow-up beyond the Forum cycle.
2. Digital Competition and Inclusive Innovation
To support fair digital markets consistent with SDGs 8 and 9, the IGF should encourage policy dialogue on platform accountability, equitable market access for creators and small enterprises, and interoperability standards that prevent monopolistic concentration. A structured “implementation track” could pilot collaborative regulatory approaches and capacity-building initiatives in developing regions, ensuring that digital competition fosters innovation without undermining diversity or economic opportunity.
3. Trust in Data Circulation and Governance
Building trust in cross-border data flows is essential to sustainable digital development. We propose that IGF intersessional activities promote transparent data governance frameworks, responsible data-sharing mechanisms, and safeguards that balance innovation with privacy and rights-based protections. A practical toolkit aligned with WSIS, the GDC, and SDG 16 could support national and regional adaptation.
Conclusion
For IGF 2026, the Forum can strengthen its contribution to global agendas by producing concise, action-oriented outputs; establishing annual implementation benchmarks; and linking multistakeholder dialogue to pilot initiatives with measurable impact. The Arab Creators Union stands ready to contribute to intersessional cooperation that advances ethical digital ecosystems, fair digital economies, and trusted data governance in support of sustainable development.

Building on recent IGF discussions and in preparation for IGF 2026, we propose that the overarching theme reflect a transition from dialogue to implementation. A suggested theme could be:
“From Digital Dialogue to Measurable Impact: Ethics, Equity and Trust in the Digital Age.”
This framing would align with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by emphasizing actionable outcomes and policy coherence.
Thematic Tracks
We recommend organizing the programme around three interconnected tracks:
1. Ethics of Digitalization and Responsible Innovation
Covering artificial intelligence governance, online intellectual property protection, information integrity, child online safety, and cultural diversity. This track should focus on operationalizing digital ethics principles into implementable standards and capacity-building tools.
2. Digital Competition and Inclusive Digital Economies
Addressing platform accountability, fair market access, innovation ecosystems, and opportunities for small enterprises and creators. Discussions should explore regulatory cooperation, interoperability, and development-oriented digital competition frameworks consistent with SDGs 8 and 9.
3. Trust in Data Governance and Cross-Border Data Flows
Focusing on privacy, data protection, secure data exchange, and trusted digital infrastructure. This track should prioritize practical models for transparent data governance aligned with SDG 16 and the GDC.
To enhance effectiveness, we suggest:
a. Implementation Labs: Interactive sessions were stakeholders co-design pilot initiatives with defined outputs and follow-up mechanisms.
b. Outcome Briefs: Each session produces a concise implementation note outlining policy recommendations, indicators, and responsible actors.
c. Regional Spotlight Segments: Ensuring balanced geographic representation, particularly from developing regions.
d. Intersessional Follow-Up Panels: Dedicated sessions reviewing progress on commitments from the previous year.
By integrating structured outputs, measurable indicators, and intersessional continuity, the IGF can strengthen its role as a catalyst for ethical, inclusive, and trusted digital transformation.

Submission ID: 95

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Peterking Quaye

Organization: 🔒Liberia IGF /West Africa ICT Action Network

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) occupies a unique position within the global digital governance ecosystem. To more effectively contribute to the implementation and follow-up of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the IGF should strengthen its role as an implementation-oriented, solution-driven platform.
First, the annual IGF meeting should more explicitly map its overarching theme and subthemes to WSIS Action Lines, the GDC commitments, and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This alignment would enable clearer tracking of how multistakeholder discussions translate into policy coherence and measurable progress at national, regional, and global levels.
Second, intersessional work—including Best Practice Forums (BPFs), Policy Networks, and Dynamic Coalitions—should be encouraged to produce concise, policy-relevant outputs that can directly inform national digital strategies, UN processes, and regional digital cooperation frameworks. Strengthening feedback loops between IGF outputs and UN review mechanisms (including the WSIS Forum and SDG follow-up processes) would enhance the IGF’s institutional relevance without altering its mandate.
Third, the IGF could promote voluntary national reporting on digital governance progress, similar to Voluntary National Reviews under the SDG framework. This would support peer learning and accountability, especially for developing countries working to operationalize digital inclusion, cybersecurity capacity, data governance, and AI governance frameworks.
Finally, stronger integration between the IGF and regional/national IGF initiatives (NRIs) would ensure that global commitments under the GDC and WSIS are contextualized and implemented locally. Structured pathways for elevating NRI outcomes into global discussions would reinforce the IGF’s bottom-up nature and enhance impact.
By moving from dialogue alone to dialogue linked with implementation pathways, structured outputs, and measurable follow-up, the IGF can solidify its role as a central multistakeholder platform supporting an inclusive, safe, and development-oriented digital future in line with WSIS, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.

Ideas on the Overarching Theme, Thematic Tracks, and Programme Design for IGF 2026
Overarching Theme
A strong overarching theme for IGF 2026 could focus on:
“From Digital Dialogue to Digital Delivery: Implementing Global Commitments for an Inclusive and Safe Digital Future.”
This framing reflects the transition from norm-setting and discussion toward implementation, in line with WSIS follow-up, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda. It emphasizes accountability, measurable impact, and digital cooperation that produces tangible development outcomes.
Thematic Tracks : Thematic tracks should be structured around implementation pillars rather than broad issue clusters. Suggested tracks include:
Digital Inclusion and Meaningful Connectivity
Addressing infrastructure gaps, affordability, digital public infrastructure, and capacity development—particularly in developing and least developed countries.
Trust, Safety, and Human Rights Online : Covering cybersecurity, cybercrime cooperation, online harms, data protection, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms in digital spaces.
Data Governance and Digital Public Infrastructure
Promoting interoperable systems, responsible data governance, and public-interest digital ecosystems.
Emerging Technologies and Responsible AI Governance : Focusing on AI governance, standards, risk management, and ensuring innovation aligns with human rights and sustainable development.
Digital Economy and Sustainable Development
Exploring digital trade, platform governance, digital entrepreneurship, and technology’s role in achieving SDGs.
Each track should include at least one outcome-oriented session designed to produce key messages or policy considerations.
Programme Format and Design : To enhance impact and avoid repetition, the IGF programme could incorporate:
Implementation Labs: Structured sessions where stakeholders present practical policy models, regulatory frameworks, or capacity-building initiatives that can be replicated across regions.
Policy Clinics: Small-group, problem-solving workshops where governments and stakeholders receive peer input on real digital governance challenges.

Regional-to-Global Dialogues: Dedicated slots where National and Regional IGFs (NRIs) present consolidated policy priorities emerging from their local processes.
Outcome Summaries by Track: Short, clearly articulated track summaries that synthesize actionable insights rather than general discussions.
Youth and Parliamentarian Integration: Embedding youth and legislators directly into thematic tracks rather than isolating them in parallel sessions.
Strengthening Continuity :The IGF programme design should ensure continuity between annual meetings and intersessional work. Best Practice Forums, Policy Networks, and Dynamic Coalitions should be formally linked to specific thematic tracks, presenting progress reports and forward-looking recommendations.

Submission ID: 96

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Kayode Oyeyemi

Organization: Africa ICT Alliance

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

The IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work should serve as a practical, multistakeholder implementation platform that aligns and tracks progress on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, advances the commitments of the Global Digital Compact, and accelerates delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by turning dialogue into measurable action, especially for developing regions like Africa.

Submission ID: 97

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Max-Kevin Belizaire

Organization: Internet Society Haiti Chapter (ISOC Haiti)

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

Inclusive AI Governance for Fragile and Vulnerable States


As artificial intelligence accelerates global digital transformation, fragile and vulnerable states face significant challenges in participating meaningfully in AI governance discussions and implementation.

Many developing countries — particularly those experiencing economic instability, limited institutional capacity, or fragile democratic systems — risk becoming passive recipients of AI technologies rather than active contributors to global governance frameworks.

For IGF 2026, it is critical to prioritize inclusive dialogue on AI governance in low-resource and crisis-affected environments. Key areas that deserve focused attention include:

Strengthening regulatory and institutional capacity for AI oversight

Developing governance models adapted to low-resource contexts

Addressing AI-driven misinformation risks in fragile democracies

Cybersecurity implications of AI adoption in emerging financial systems

Data governance and digital sovereignty for small and developing economies

Youth empowerment and technical capacity-building in AI policy

The IGF, through its multistakeholder model, is uniquely positioned to ensure that AI governance discussions reflect global diversity and real-world challenges. Establishing structured intersessional work, such as a Best Practice Forum or Policy Network, would help advance inclusive and context-aware AI governance.

Without intentional inclusion, AI development risks reinforcing existing digital divides. IGF 2026 offers an opportunity to promote equitable and responsible AI governance worldwide.

The IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work can better contribute to global initiatives by prioritizing inclusive AI governance and capacity-building in fragile and vulnerable states. Aligning discussions with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ensures that AI development is equitable, human-centered, and context-aware.

Specifically, the IGF can:

Promote AI policy frameworks that respect human rights and ethical standards (WSIS Action Lines on capacity-building and ICT applications)

Support data governance and digital sovereignty aligned with global digital cooperation goals

Foster youth engagement, digital inclusion, and access for marginalized populations, directly contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Encourage intersessional forums (Best Practice Forums, Policy Networks) to share locally adapted solutions and experiences, ensuring that global digital agendas reflect realities in developing and crisis-affected countries

Through these approaches, the IGF can bridge high-level global commitments with practical, actionable outcomes for countries often underrepresented in international AI and digital governance discussions.

To strengthen the IGF programme, I suggest:

Overarching Theme: “Inclusive and Responsible AI for Global Digital Development” — highlighting the role of AI in promoting equitable access, capacity building, and ethical governance in fragile and vulnerable states.

Thematic Tracks:

AI Governance and Ethics

Digital Inclusion and Connectivity

Data Governance and Security

Youth Engagement and Capacity Development

AI for Sustainable Development

Format:

Mix of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and Best Practice Forums to allow practical knowledge sharing.

Dedicated sessions for fragile and developing countries to present context-specific challenges and solutions.

Opportunities for youth-led panels to foster innovation and capacity building.

Design:

Encourage intersessional work before and after the annual meeting to maintain continuity.

Provide virtual participation options to maximize inclusivity for stakeholders from underrepresented regions.

Promote collaborative outputs such as policy briefs or toolkits derived from session discussions, ensuring concrete impact beyond the meeting.

This approach ensures that IGF 2026 not only addresses global AI and digital governance challenges but also actively includes voices from vulnerable contexts, fostering equity, sustainability, and practical outcomes.

Submission ID: 98

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Juan Fernández

Organization: Ministry of Communications

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Digital Cooperation, Economic Issues and Development

The overarching theme should be to address the digital divide that is growing, because developing countries do not have access to the computing and energy required for AI.

The IGF annual meeting discussions and outcomes should align with the other forums of the WSIS follow-up and GDC implementation. Specially with the CSTD and WSIS Forum.

The programme should be designed trying to avoid overlaps of workshops and other activities about the same subject.

Submission ID: 99

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Engr. James Kunle Olorundare

Organization: Internet Society Nigeria Chapter

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

There should be a focus on what has brought us thus far- WSIS extension. Hence, we need to have a conversation on the implementation of WSIS post bellum

Break the Language and Technical Barrier
The Global South is linguistically diverse, yet most internet governance happens in English. To be "deeply" inclusive, the IGF must provide all intersessional work and outcomes in local languages and simplify the jargon. If a market woman can’t understand how the "Global Digital Compact" affects her digital payments, the policy has failed. Accessibility is the first step toward the 2030 Agenda’s goal of "Leaving No One Behind."

Focus on "Data Sovereignty" for Small Players
Everyday people in the Global South are often just "data crops" for big tech companies. The IGF can contribute to the WSIS outcomes by creating frameworks that help Southern nations develop their own data protection laws. This ensures that the wealth generated by a Nigerian freelancer’s data stays in Nigeria, rather than being extracted without benefit, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Create a "Fast-Track" for Youth and Grassroots Innovators
The Global South has the youngest population on earth. The IGF shouldn't just be for "experts" in suits. It needs to create a formal "Grassroots Track" where young developers from the Global South can present the hurdles they face—like international payment barriers or electricity instability—directly to the people who write the global rules (the GDC and WSIS oversight bodies).

Fix the "Participation Gap" with Real Money
You can’t have a "multi-stakeholder" model if half the world can't afford the plane ticket. To reflect the 2030 Agenda, there must be a permanent, transparent fund that pays for civil society leaders, teachers, and local activists from the Global South to attend these meetings. Virtual participation is a start, but in areas with bad internet, it’s not enough. Physical presence equals political power.

Hold Big Tech and Governments Accountable via "Peer Reviews"
The IGF shouldn't just be a place to make promises; it should be a place to track them. By creating a "Digital Progress Dashboard," the IGF can show which countries are actually meeting the GDC goals (like connecting schools to the internet) and which ones are falling behind. Publicly tracking this data empowers everyday citizens to hold their own leaders accountable.

The format should be more engaging, and the plenary session should include all stakeholders, and we should try not to always focus on already known people. There should be a way to randomly select speakers for plenary based on what the persons have been doing in the community or stakeholder group, not because they are very popular. For instance, somebody like me should be featured in a plenary panel based on experience gathered well over 20 years of professional experience because I will be able to speak to all those grassroots issues from the global South as someone involved in advocacy in those issues like online safety, writing technical and publishing them, AI governance, school on internet governance, geo-political issues, etc., mixing technical background with policy matters as an engineer and not based on the fact that he is very popular , everybody knows him.

Submission ID: 100

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Jorge Cancio

Organization: 🔒Swiss Federal Office of Communication

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Digital Cooperation, Rights and Freedoms

The IGF 2026 should be a key opportunity to look into the implementation of the WSIS+20 Outcome Resolution from December 2025. It should focus on the interplay and improved synergies between UNGIS, Action Lines, WSIS Forum, UNSG Reporting, CSTD and IGF, considering them all as part of a holistic WSIS policy cycle and stewardship, that needs to improve how it delivers on WSIS vision and goals, GDC commitments, and SDGs.

„From words to action“
As we have advocated before, the IGF program should be fully integrated, with 3 or 4 main tracks, and with workshops and open fora feeding into main and high-level sessions, which in turn should be synthesized in crisp IGF Messages.

Submission ID: 101

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Mohamed Aweis

Organization: Tabaarak ICT Solutions

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

We encourage IGF 2026 to prioritize practical, implementable outcomes for least-connected and fragile contexts: responsible AI that works for low-resource languages, stronger cyber resilience for SMEs and critical services, and affordable, reliable connectivity. IGF outputs should include policy toolkits, capacity-building curricula, and measurable commitments that governments, private sector and technical community can implement within 6–12 months.

GF can better contribute to WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact and the 2030 Agenda by producing implementation-oriented outputs, not only dialogue. We suggest: (1) map each IGF track to WSIS Action Lines and SDG targets, with a short “implementation checklist”; (2) publish an annual “what worked” evidence brief with case studies from developing and fragile contexts; (3) strengthen intersessional work (PNs/BPFs) to deliver practical toolkits on AI governance, cyber resilience and meaningful connectivity; (4) enable voluntary multi-stakeholder commitments with simple progress reporting; and (5) support NRIs and regional hubs to localize recommendations into national action plans and capacity building.

Proposed overarching theme: “Trust, Inclusion and Resilience in the Digital Future.”
Suggested tracks: (1) Responsible AI governance that enables innovation and protects rights; (2) Cybersecurity and trust for critical services and digital finance; (3) Universal access and meaningful connectivity (affordability, quality and last-mile); and (4) Data governance and cross-border cooperation as a cross-cutting enabler.
Format ideas: add “policy labs” that produce draft guidance in-session; “implementation clinics” where countries/SMEs bring real problems and receive expert support; short demo sessions for local innovations (including low-resource language tech); structured matchmaking for partnerships; and stronger hybrid participation with regional watch-parties and multilingual interpretation.

Submission ID: 102

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Abdoulaye Ndiaye

Organization: ARTICLE 19 West Africa

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Rights and Freedoms

Submission ID: 103

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Natalia Carfi

Organization: Open Data Charter

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Digital Cooperation

I think a discussion around Digital Public infraestructure would add value as it touches on many of the usual themes discussed at IGF and it is now one the most discussed digital public policy around the world.

I am part of the CTSD Working Group on Data Governance at all levels, it would be great to have the WG represented at IGF in sessions. Just like this, the AI Panel should have a space and all the other WG created to implement the GDC should be there and have an open discussion of their work so far.

Submission ID: 104

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Chinthaka Ekanayake

Organization: Ministry of Digital Economy

Stakeholder Group: Government (Legislative)

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is increasingly recognized as a foundational enabler of inclusive digital transformation, resilient public services, and sustainable digital economies. As part of the Internet Governance Forum 2026 thematic framework, dedicated attention to DPI would support dialogue on how interoperable and rights-respecting digital systems can advance development while strengthening trust and security.

This thematic area may explore interoperable DPI building blocks — including digital identity, digital payments, trusted data exchange, and consent frameworks — with emphasis on open standards, scalability, and citizen-centric service delivery. It should also highlight the importance of inclusive design to reduce digital divides, ensuring accessibility for underserved populations and integrating digital literacy as a complementary public good.

Furthermore, discussions could address trust and responsible data governance through privacy-by-design approaches, robust data protection safeguards, and accountability mechanisms that mitigate emerging risks such as identity fraud, biometric misuse, and AI-enabled manipulation. Recognizing DPI as critical digital infrastructure, the theme may also consider cybersecurity, operational resilience, and continuity of essential services during disruptions.

Finally, the theme could promote multi-stakeholder cooperation, capacity development, and sustainable ecosystem models to support developing countries in implementing secure, inclusive, and resilient DPI aligned with national priorities and human rights principles.

The Internet Governance Forum can strengthen its contribution to the World Summit on the Information Society, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by enhancing practical linkages between dialogue, implementation, and measurable impact.

This may be achieved by aligning IGF thematic tracks and intersessional work with WSIS action lines, Global Digital Compact commitments, and SDG targets, while promoting outcome-oriented discussions that highlight implementation experiences, policy innovations, and capacity-building needs. The IGF can further support follow-up by facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, showcasing national and regional good practices, and strengthening knowledge exchange on inclusive digital transformation, trust, and digital resilience.

Additionally, intersessional initiatives such as Best Practice Forums, Policy Networks, and National and Regional IGFs can serve as implementation accelerators by producing actionable guidance, fostering partnerships, and enabling developing countries to share lessons and address capacity gaps. Strengthening coordination with UN processes and encouraging voluntary progress reporting would further enhance the IGF’s role as a platform that not only convenes dialogue but also supports accountability and collective progress across global digital cooperation and sustainable development agendas.

For the overarching theme, IGF 2026 could focus on “Inclusive, Trusted, and Resilient Digital Ecosystems”, reflecting the growing importance of digital public infrastructure, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable digital transformation. This theme would allow integration of critical topics such as cybersecurity, digital inclusion, trust and privacy, digital economy, and DPI-enabled public services.

Regarding thematic tracks, I suggest organizing them around a mix of policy, technical, and societal dimensions, for example:

Cybersecurity, Trust and Resilience – including child online safety, cyber-diplomacy, and critical infrastructure protection.

Digital Public Infrastructure and Service Delivery – exploring identity systems, interoperable platforms, and multi-stakeholder governance.

Inclusive Digital Economies and Skills – focusing on digital literacy, equitable access, and capacity-building initiatives.

Data Governance, Privacy and Ethics – covering responsible AI, privacy-by-design, and accountability frameworks.

Global Collaboration and Innovation – highlighting partnerships, knowledge exchange, and implementation of SDGs through digital transformation.

For programme format and design, a flexible, multi-layered approach could enhance engagement and impact:

Plenary sessions for high-level policy dialogue and vision-setting.

Breakout thematic sessions combining presentations, panel discussions, and case studies for practical learning.

Interactive workshops and hackathon-style labs to foster solution-oriented engagement.

Intersessional and regional integration through Best Practice Forums and Policy Networks to ensure continuity and follow-up.

This structure encourages participation from diverse stakeholders, fosters cross-sector learning, and ensures that discussions translate into actionable insights for policy, implementation, and sustainable development outcomes.

Submission ID: 105

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: SALYOU FANNY

Organization: FGI COTE D'IVOIRE

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Data Governance, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

RAS

La réunion annuelle du FGI et ses travaux préparatoires pourraient mieux réfleter ou contribuer à ces éléments très positivement en alignant les thèmes sur les enjeux actuels et mieux intégrer les réalités locales et regionales afin de renforcer l'inclusion des différents groupes mulipartites.

Je trouve que le thème géneral,les axes thématiques,le format et la conception du programme du FGI sont très interessants,enrichissants et respectent les tendances et la réalité du temps présents des programmes mondiaux.

Submission ID: 106

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Kristina Hakobyan

Organization: Board Vice-chair

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Eastern European Group

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Data Governance, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

I would slightly emphasize:
-Small registry resilience
-Capacity building in Eastern Europe
-Multilingual Internet (.am / .հայ)
-DNSSEC & trust infrastructure
-Regional NRI collaboration

The IGF is uniquely positioned to serve as an implementation bridge between the outcomes of WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To strengthen this role, the IGF annual meeting and its intersessional work could focus more explicitly on translating global principles into practical, multistakeholder implementation.
First, the IGF could introduce a structured implementation-oriented track aligned with WSIS Action Lines, GDC commitments, and relevant SDGs. This would highlight concrete national and regional experiences, including through National and Regional IGFs (NRIs), and showcase practical initiatives in areas such as cybersecurity, meaningful connectivity, multilingual Internet, and digital trust. A concise, non-binding synthesis emerging from intersessional work could help map progress and identify capacity gaps without transforming the IGF into a negotiating body.
Second, NRIs should be further empowered as “implementation laboratories.” Encouraging NRIs to organize sessions explicitly linked to WSIS, GDC, and SDG implementation, and facilitating structured reporting into the global IGF process, would reinforce bottom-up multistakeholder engagement and contextual relevance.
Third, the IGF could more clearly connect core Internet infrastructure governance to sustainable development. Issues such as DNS security, universal acceptance, multilingualism, and cross-border cybersecurity cooperation directly support inclusion, institutional trust, and economic resilience. Intersessional outputs—such as practical toolkits or best practice summaries—could better support policymakers at national level.
Finally, the IGF should ensure strong representation from small and developing digital ecosystems, where implementation challenges are often most acute. By grounding global commitments in operational realities and multistakeholder cooperation, the IGF can remain a key platform supporting WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda.

A possible overarching theme for IGF 2026 could be:
“From Principles to Practice: Operationalizing Digital Governance for Inclusive and Trusted Internet Futures.”
This would reflect the transition from global norm-setting (WSIS+20, Global Digital Compact) toward implementation, accountability, and measurable impact.

Submission ID: 107

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Eduardo Barasal Morales

Organization: NIC.br

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms, Technical and Operational Topics

Security, Safety, Stability & Resilience: Addressing rising cyber-attacks, ransomware, and ensuring the technical stability of the internet.

Submission ID: 108

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Jenna Omassi

Organization: TikTok

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Economic Issues and Development, Media and Content

The IGF should provide spaces for input and engagements from WSIS, GDC and Agenda 2030 teams, and those processes should leave room for this multistakeholder input in their own processes. The IGF outputs and reporting should also specifically call out areas where multistakeholder perspectives can be input into these processes.

The IGF can often be a long event with themes and topics interwoven across each day. Instead of concurrent tracks that focus on different themes, having thematic days (like the AI for Good Summit for example) could make it easier for stakeholders to decide which days are most relevant to them.

Submission ID: 109

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Binta Moustapha

Organization: 100 Women in Tech Nigeria

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Economic Issues and Development, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

Submission ID: 110

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Anna Lührmann

Organization: Member of Parliament -Germany

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

Social media: platform regulation as well as fostering alternative, decentralized social networks.

Submission ID: 111

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Claudia Marinho Wanderley

Organization: State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas-SP, Brazil

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Thematic Areas:
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

Intercultural Dialogue as a paramount hability to be strenghten and developed by all actors, in accordance to the Media Inforrmation Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) parameters and guidelines promoted by UNESCO. The understanding of different world views, different cultures, different languages, different ways of undestanding a possible solution are important in times of hate speech and disinformation. As Intercultural Dialogue is the basis of our work at the Observatory of Disinformation, in Brazil, I offer to assume the organization of this theme.

As I work in a public University Brazil, the first thing would be to make is available in Portuguese, so Brazilians could be aware of the debate. Also, bring universities as partners to create local content presenting outcomes and also receiving the follow ups from the local comunities. Universities are very good partners, we all are aware of the situation and want to contribute, but fo that you should open the door. Create the possibility of a long term partnership to debate and to implement and follow up the outcomes of World Summit, we will stick with you.

Yes, I have many ideas for how it could be accesible to average citizens, but it has to do with intercultural dialogue practices, and first they should be integrated in overall understanding of the summit. As long as you keep the debate among experts, it is difficult to get the different people involved. Would you be willing to integrate with different perspectives, to dialogue with different cultures and listen to their understanding? This would help to reach global, regional, national and local levels. I am very interested in working with you, would you be available?

Submission ID: 112

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Abdou-rachid Idris

Organization: Gouvernemental

Stakeholder Group: Government (Executive)

Regional Group: Intergovernmental Organization

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance

Membre du groupe de travail africain de l’intelligence artificielle de l’union africaine.
Membre futur groupe thématique sur la gouvernance de l’IA de Smart Africa

Submission ID: 113

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: IDRISSA SARR

Organization: .SN Registry (NIC Senegal)

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: African Group

Thematic Areas:
Data Governance, Digital Cooperation, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Encourage national and regional IGFs to explicitly strengthen and map their dialogues to WSIS priorities, ensuring coherence across levels.

Submission ID: 114

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Mitchell Amy

Organization: Center for News, Technology & Innovation

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Media and Content, Rights and Freedoms

1. One area that is not exactly in here is the expanding mix of valuable information providers - which can be any and everyone today. How does that fit into policy and regulation? CNTI is doing much work in this space.
2. Another area is media freedoms and how they are the front line of freedom of expression - and the first to be assaulted and often not effectively protected in policy. It is a global crisis that requires global cooperations. It is nother main area of CNTI's work

One thing that struck me last year was how sepraated the parlementary and civial tracks and discussions were. I am sure some of this is hard to manage logistically but I do think more integreation would be useful. it is important for each to hear from and share with the other.

Submission ID: 115

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Elias Maalouf

Organization: Xmind plus

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Economic Issues and Development, Emerging Technologies and Innovation

The convergence of AI capacity building, digitally enabled business models, and emerging technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) presents a unique opportunity to strengthen inclusive digital economies. IGF 2026 could prioritize practical frameworks for building AI literacy across institutions, supporting sustainable online business models for SMEs, and leveraging blockchain technologies as trust infrastructures. The focus should remain on responsible adoption, governance alignment, and capacity building that translates innovation into measurable economic and societal impact, particularly in emerging and resource-constrained contexts.

The IGF can more effectively contribute to the implementation of the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact, and the 2030 Agenda by strengthening the link between global commitments and practical implementation mechanisms.
In the context of the Global Digital Compact, the IGF should prioritize structured AI capacity building initiatives that extend beyond technical skills and address institutional readiness, governance literacy, and responsible adoption frameworks. This would enable countries to operationalize commitments related to inclusive, human centered, and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.
Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure, the IGF can promote sustainable online business models enabled by digital technologies. Intersessional work could focus on how SMEs and emerging economies leverage AI and digital platforms to create resilient and scalable economic opportunities while ensuring trust, transparency, and regulatory alignment.
In support of WSIS action lines on trust, infrastructure, and digital cooperation, the IGF should also explore emerging technologies such as distributed ledger technologies and blockchain as instruments that can strengthen digital identity, financial inclusion, transparent transactions, and cross border digital trade, provided they are implemented within clear governance and accountability frameworks.
By integrating AI capacity building, digitally enabled economic development, and trust enhancing technological infrastructures, the IGF can evolve from a forum centered on dialogue into a catalyst that supports coordinated, measurable, and development oriented digital transformation.

The overarching theme of the IGF 2026 could emphasize responsible innovation and inclusive digital transformation, focusing on how emerging technologies translate into tangible economic and societal outcomes. Rather than centering only on risks or regulation, the theme could highlight implementation, capacity building, and measurable impact.
Thematic tracks could be structured around three interconnected pillars. The first pillar would address AI governance and capacity building, with a focus on institutional readiness, responsible adoption, and leadership literacy. The second pillar could focus on digital economies and sustainable online business models, exploring how AI and digital platforms enable SME growth, job creation, and economic resilience. The third pillar could examine trust enhancing infrastructures, including cybersecurity, digital identity, and distributed ledger technologies, emphasizing governance and accountability.
Regarding format and design, the IGF program could benefit from more structured outcome oriented sessions. In addition to panels and dialogue, sessions could be designed around moderated policy debates and scenario based discussions where stakeholders assess concrete implementation challenges and propose actionable pathways. The program could also include thematic synthesis sessions at the end of each track to consolidate key recommendations and identify practical follow up priorities.
The program could further incorporate regional implementation reports that showcase how global commitments are being translated into national or sectoral initiatives. This would strengthen the connection between global dialogue and local impact.

Submission ID: 116

Submit on behalf of: Organization

Name: Karen Mulberry

Organization: IEEE🔒

Stakeholder Group: Technical Community

Regional Group: Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Thematic Areas:
Cybersecurity and Trust, Emerging Technologies and Innovation, Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity

1. Thematic Area: Universal Access and Meaningful Connectivity / Digital Cooperation

Issue: Meaningful Connectivity and the Digital Divide

Additional Information:
Closing the digital divide is a central component of the WSIS+20 outcome, noting that accessibility, affordable quality connectivity and connecting schools to the internet are important areas to focus on. The Global Digital Compact (GDC) similarly emphasizes connecting the unconnected and making connectivity universal. Reconciling interoperability across the internet to close the digital divide depends on standards and conformance ecosystems, measurable indicators and coordination across all UN bodies, standards development bodies and the industry. This issue emphasizes meaningful access not just connectivity.

2. Thematic Area: Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Issue: Emerging Technology and Interoperability Challenges

Additional Information:

The Global Digital Compact (GDC) frames AI governance as requiring an agile, multidisciplinary, multistakeholder approach, it commits to transparency, accountability, and oversight, with a call to standards development organizations to collaborate on interoperable AI standards, WSIS+20 emphasizes a human-centric approach to digital technologies and highlights the open, interoperable Internet as critical infrastructure for development and human rights, involving interoperable trust layers for AI-enabled services.

In 2026, technology development and innovation are accelerating, with AI supercomputing platforms, and smart sensing networks reshaping networks to enable data driven decision-making across industries such as Industrial IoT, smart cities, healthcare and smart agriculture. However, interoperability remains a core challenge where device compatibility, data silos and cybersecurity risks hinder progress. As AI becomes the backbone of enterprise architecture, and trends like physical AI, multi-agent systems, and quantum technologies gain momentum, seamless integration across systems is critical for innovation to thrive.

This issue raises the need to identify interoperability challenges and address the approaches needed to support network and technology interoperability.


3. Thematic Area: Cybersecurity and Trust

Issue: Building secure, resilient, and trustworthy digital ecosystems

Additional Information:

Security and infrastructure issues are foundational in both the WSIS+20 renewal and noted in the Global Digital Compact’s (GDC) focus on digital systems and the need to establish digital trust. There is a gap in the alignment between cyber norms, capacity building and interoperability mandates that needs to be addressed through establishing interoperability norms, in alignment with global standards, and UN ICT security processes to establish a resilient global infrastructure.

This issue raises the need to identify the infrastructure gaps and develop approaches to support a secure and resilient digital system.

For main sessions (Best Practice Forums, Policy Networks and Dynamic Coalitions, incorporate a standard output for implementation pathways. This can assist in making the IGF outputs easier to integrate into WSIS reporting and review processes. Also, map IGF main session outcomes to the WSIS Action Lines to the SDGs to the GDC.

Suggestions include a theme that signals delivery and action, not just debate. Consider a “lab format” that connects policy to engineering where policymakers present an objective and the technical community helps to translate into implementable requirements. An output can be a template for governance and which organizations can adopt.

Submission ID: 117

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Mahee Kirindigoda

Organization: SAIDGI

Stakeholder Group: Civil Society

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Cybersecurity and Trust, Rights and Freedoms

Making real bottom up governance process

Agenda less IGF (mainly bigger cooperation , governments, institutes create agendas of governing process in global, regional and local level. This create bigger impact to real governance process.

Trust

Submission ID: 118

Submit on behalf of: Personal

Name: Momin Hossain

Organization: Howlader Enterprise

Stakeholder Group: Private Sector

Regional Group: Asia-Pacific Group

Thematic Areas:
Artificial Intelligence Governance, Economic Issues and Development, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

As a private sector representative from a developing country engaged in digital transformation and internet development, I believe the IGF should evolve from a dialogue-centered forum into a more implementation-oriented platform that actively supports global digital commitments.

The IGF is uniquely positioned to contribute to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, stronger structural alignment and measurable follow-up mechanisms are needed.

1. Clear Mapping and Policy Coherence

Each IGF annual meeting session could explicitly identify its connection to relevant WSIS Action Lines, GDC commitments, and specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This structured mapping would improve policy coherence and help stakeholders understand how discussions contribute to global implementation frameworks.

Session summaries could include a short “Implementation Relevance” section outlining how the dialogue supports global commitments and suggesting possible national-level actions.

2. Implementation-Focused Main Sessions

The IGF could introduce a dedicated Implementation and Impact segment during the annual meeting. Governments, private sector actors, and civil society could present brief reports on how IGF discussions have influenced national digital strategies, regulatory reforms, or capacity-building initiatives.

This would help demonstrate tangible progress and reinforce accountability, while maintaining the IGF’s non-binding and multistakeholder nature.

3. Strengthening Intersessional Work

Policy Networks (PNs) and Best Practice Forums (BPFs) should be more directly aligned with priority areas identified under WSIS, the GDC, and the SDGs. Intersessional outputs could include:

Practical toolkits for AI governance readiness

SME digital transformation frameworks

Cybersecurity capacity-building guidance

Digital inclusion best practice models

These outputs should be concise, accessible, and implementation-oriented, particularly for developing countries with limited policy resources.

4. Supporting Developing Countries

For countries like Bangladesh, the key challenge is not the absence of policy dialogue, but limited institutional capacity and technical expertise. IGF could strengthen capacity-building by:

Facilitating peer learning among developing countries

Encouraging public-private partnerships for infrastructure and innovation

Promoting voluntary progress-sharing mechanisms

5. Voluntary Follow-Up Mechanisms

Without creating formal compliance structures, IGF could encourage voluntary reporting and knowledge-sharing on progress related to digital commitments. A light-touch progress dashboard or annual synthesis report could highlight trends and best practices.

As a private sector representative from Bangladesh working in digital transformation and internet development, I believe IGF 2026 should focus on translating global digital commitments into practical national and local implementation strategies.

Proposed Overarching Theme

“Inclusive and Trusted Digital Transformation: From Global Policy to Local Impact.”

This theme reflects the need to operationalize commitments under the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), implement the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IGF should increasingly position itself as a bridge between global dialogue and measurable implementation.

Suggested Thematic Tracks

1. Meaningful Connectivity & Digital Inclusion
Focus on affordable broadband, rural access, public-private infrastructure partnerships, and closing the gender digital divide. For developing economies, connectivity remains foundational to all digital progress.

2. AI Governance & Responsible Innovation
Promote AI readiness frameworks for developing countries, ethical AI standards, capacity-building initiatives, and AI applications for public services. Discussions must ensure Global South participation in shaping AI governance norms.

3. Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
Strengthen SME cybersecurity resilience, online safety, cross-border cyber cooperation, and digital identity protection. Trust is essential for sustainable digital growth.

4. Digital Economy & SME Empowerment
Address cross-border e-commerce policy alignment, digital payment ecosystems, startup ecosystem development, and data governance frameworks. SMEs are critical drivers of employment and innovation in emerging markets.

5. Human-Centered Digital Governance
Promote privacy, youth engagement, protection of vulnerable communities, and accountability in multistakeholder decision-making.

Format and Design Recommendations

IGF sessions should become more action-oriented. Each main session could conclude with 3–5 non-binding but practical recommendations, clearly identifying stakeholder responsibilities and voluntary follow-up pathways.

Introducing “Digital Innovation Labs” within the programme would enable startups and SMEs to showcase scalable solutions directly to policymakers and investors. This would strengthen the link between policy discussions and real-world implementation.

Greater integration of regional and national IGF outcomes would also enhance coherence. Structured reporting segments could highlight implementation progress and share best practices across regions.

Finally, hybrid participation should be strengthened through improved multilingual tools and structured remote engagement to ensure meaningful participation from developing countries.