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Late on Sunday night, November 13, 2005, an assembly of about 100 people agreed to a series of minimal points of common ground related to internet governance in Tunis. These points were then to be reported back to the general plenary of what is called the resumed PrepCom 3 meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) for definitive negotiation and implementation.
Late on Sunday night, November 13, 2005, an assembly of about 100 people agreed to a series of minimal points of common ground related to internet governance in Tunis. These points were then to be reported back to the general plenary of what is called the resumed PrepCom 3 meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) for definitive negotiation and implementation.
Diplomats from the EU, the US, Canada, the African Caucus (lead by Ghana and Algeria), Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Singapore, Brazil, Uruguay, Australia and New Zealand sat into the late hours in the Kram Exposition Centre of Tunis and knew this forum was to be the determining one for the control of the internet.
These are the ten points:
1. Internet governance should respect the Geneva principles as set out in the Geneva Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action.
2. Internet governance includes more than internet names and addresses, issues dealt with ICANN, it also includes other critical issues… (wording from WGIG report, para 12 to be considered)
3. There are many cross-cutting international public policies that are not adequately addressed with the current mechanisms, which require attention.
4. Importance of maximising the participation of developing countries for development.
5. Countries’ legitimate interests regarding decisions affecting their ccTDLs.
6. Importance of stability and security of the internet.
7. Finding solutions to issues arising from the use and misuse of the internet of particular concern to everyday users.
8. Any internet governance approach should continue to promote an enabling environment for innovation, competition and investment.
9. Agreement to creation of a forum (function) [pending conclusion of discussions on internet governance and determination of its mandate](based in multi-stakeholder participation)
10. The need for governments, on an equal footing, to be able to carry out their roles and responsibilities in international public policy issues pertaining to the internet, but not in the day-to-day technical operation or arrangements.
Appropriate involvement or participation consistent with paragraph 49a.
