IGF

Some thoughts on what could, should and might happen to the Internet Governance Forum.

“In the last quarter of a century the internet has changed the world. New digital technologies are accelerating change and will transform the future.” That’s received wisdom in the digital community – and business and politics as well.

Digital technology has potential to improve energy efficiency, which could contribute to a lower carbon future, but it’s also the fastest growing source of energy consumption (and so carbon emissions in the world today) – as well as one of the fastest growing sources of pollution.

It’s the end of this strange COVID Northern summer / Southern winter.  Time for this blog for APC to resume its weekly exploration ‘Inside the Digital Society’.

This week some thoughts on this year’s iteration of one of WSIS’ major outcomes, the Internet Governance Forum or IGF.

What happens to communities in rural and underserved urban areas lacking access to the internet? What happens to those without access to machines and devices or whose lives do not fit into a digital model of e-learning and e-commerce?

APC is convinced that multilateralism and multistakeholderism are both necessary and can coexist, and both must be strengthened. We strongly support the IGF Plus model as the basis for establishing accountable, inclusive, participatory and effective global digital cooperation among all stakeholders.

This document summarises APC's reflections on the 2019 IGF in terms of what worked well and what did not work so well, in the areas of content, agenda and sessions; logistics; and inclusion, diversity and safety. It further offers recommendations for the 2020 IGF in those same areas.