IGF 2024

For those participating for the first time at the IGF, this newcomers track session will provide an overview of the IGF's structure and process modalities. It will also focus on the IGF 2024 and ways to participate meaningfully.

The session is also a good opportunity for those who may not be the first-time participants, to ask any questions they may have regarding the IGF 2024 process and its 19th annual meeting.

The agenda of the session will focus on:

Welcome from MAG Chair and IGF Secretariat
IGF structure – from WSIS to Riyadh
IGF 2024 – between Kyoto and Riyadh
Closing
Resources to consult:

''About the IGF'' brochure
IGF FAQs
IGF 2024 Programme

An Android app designed to give voice to tribes at the heart of India's Maoist insurgency was launched September 20 as part of a campaign to end the conflict through the combination of oral tradition and new technology. The app allows tribes living in the remote jungle interior of the Dandakaranya forest to become citizen journalists, posting and sharing pictures and stories on CGNet Swara, a mobile phone-based reporting platform cofounded by Indian journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary and American computer scientist Bill Thies. Many indigenous people, known as the adivasi ("original dwellers"), in the Dandakaranya region are blighted by problems typical of so many of India's remote communities: land loss and evictions, lack of schooling, absence of medical care, and dearth of civic amenities—combined with deep mistrust of local authorities. In the foourteenth years since its launch, the platform has logged over a million calls and thousands of published reports. These have included everything from reporting cholera outbreaks and resolving payment disputes to sharing news about village affairs. The network also features poetry and folk songs.
Our team will facilitate and manage the interaction in hybrid mode i.e taking in-person questions onsite and taking questions from the streaming platform such as youtube or zoom. Last five to six minutes of the talk would be dedicated to the interaction with facility to reach out after the event.

The session is divided in three main topics: cybersecurity, procurement and sustainability. Cybersecurity is at the top of mind of all organisations. Billions are spent on it. This open forum focuses on important causes of unnecessarily low levels of security and will show you the easiest and cheapest way towards a higher level of ICT security. You will learn how existing security-related Internet standards and ICT best practices can contribute to ensuring a higher level of security and how your organization can use this knowledge to its advantage. This open forum is a) an awareness raising session and b) a knowledge gathering session on current good practice all can learn from.
First a short introduction is given on the test tool internet.nl by the Netherlands Standardisation Forum. Internet.nl is an open source test tool which you can use to check whether your internet is up to date by using modern and reliable Internet Standards. After that, a panel discussion will take place, with organisations who already use internet.nl in their country or are striving to use it.This includes the Dutch experience with ICT procurement and mandating procedures for all levels of Dutch government. Finally, internet.nl announces the kick-off of an international cooperation project all organisations using or striving to use internet.nl can join. Participants from governments, industry, technical community, parliamentarians, consumer protection and civil society are invited to join. The session concludes with a segment about sustainability. We discuss the connections between procurement, security, and sustainability by presenting the Dutch National Coalition for Sustainable Digitalisation as a use case. The internet and its infrastructure are a rapidly growing factor in environmental sustainability as the use of (rare) materials and energy usage result in emissions and usage of clean drinking water. Digitalisation can be both a cause for concern and offer a path forward on complex topics that can be greatly improved or sped up by the advantages of digitalisation. The Dutch National Coalition for Sustainable Digitalisation offers a view on both perspectives, and clearly outlines how the use of sustainable practices in procurement also assists security goals for organisations.
The session ends with a wrap up by the rapporteur and moderator connecting the dots between procurement, security, and sustainability.
As we intend to actively invite individuals and organisations, who are not regular IGF participants, a well-functioning online environment is of the essence. The onsite and online moderator therefore will operate on an equal footing. A successful hybrid format is important to reach the goals this session has. Both online interventions and the chat will be extensively used. Both moderators will prepare the sessions together, allowing for integration of both kinds of participants. We do not intend to use online tools.

Following the multi-stakeholder consultation on the Hiroshima AI Process held at the 2023 IGF Kyoto meeting and leading up to IGF 2024, discussions on AI governance progressed in multilateral frameworks such as the Hiroshima AI Process Comprehensive Policy Framework, the UN Resolution on AI, the UN High Level Advisory Body on AI, the Global Digital Compact, and G7, G20, and OECD. Yoichi Iida, who chaired the Working Group of Hiroshima AI Process, which is a major initiative on governance of advanced AI systems such as generative AI, will review the progress of AI governance discussions since last year. Also, he discusses with experts from various communities about what kind of AI governance measures should be taken, focusing on the monitoring mechanism discussed in the Hiroshima AI Process, to engage private companies in AI governance, which will be important from the perspective of ensuring effectiveness.
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Our session plan to take questions from online participants.
2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? Our session plan to take questions from floor actively both online and onsite participants.
3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. Our session explores to using some AI technology to increase participation.

Description:
Stakeholder engagement is essential for ensuring that tech products and technology related public policies are not only technically sound but also socially responsible, user-centric, and aligned with broader societal needs and values. By actively involving stakeholders throughout the development process, tech companies and governments can create products and policies that are more relevant, sustainable, and impactful.  This approach to product and policy development is vital to advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age.
Our session will feature a panel of experts who have been on both sides of this equation.
Thobekile Matimbe, Senior Manager Partnerships and Engagements, Paradigm Initiative and Richard Wingfield, Director, Technology and Human Rights, BSR will share their experiences bringing in external expertise into the development of new products and policies.
Charles Bradley, Manager, Knowledge and Information, Consumer Trust at Google will share insights on a range of engagements, discussing what worked and what he has learned along the way.
Fiona Alexander, Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence, American University, will share examples from her time at the US Department of Commence where stakeholder engagement in the development of technology related policies was beneficial.
We will then engage with the audience to discuss what was presented and participants will be encouraged to develop their own ideas on what can be done to foster more meaningful stakeholder engagement to advance human rights and inclusion in the digital age.

In September 2024, world leaders agreed on a Global Digital Compact as part of the Summit of the Future to articulate shared principles and commitments for an open, free and secure digital future for all. Although the agreement of the Compact marks an important milestone for global digital cooperation, realizing its ambitions and delivering on its commitments will require investments, partnerships, and support at the country level. This would be especially important in view of the WSIS+20 review next year at the United Nations, which will also provide critical guidance on delivering impact directly to individuals, communities and countries all around the world.
This Open Forum will bring together stakeholders from across all sectors to discuss how to deliver on the commitments of the Global Digital Compact for countries around the world, recognizing the importance of Compact outcomes in continuing global digital cooperation efforts. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the role of the multistakeholder community in IGF and WSIS as a partner to the United Nations system in delivering on its mandates to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, narrow global digital divides and Leave No One Behind in this digital age.
The co-organizers will prioritize active engagement and interaction between onsite and online participants in three ways. First, we will include virtual speakers, already. Second, we will use the chat and other virtual engagement functions, such as polling, to ask participants to share their reflections on specific questions and issues throughout the session. Third, we will ensure a balanced discussion by alternating questions and contributions from onsite and online participants.

Description:
Virtual worlds and the metaverse are laying ahead of us and this innovation will have a huge impact on our future life as generative AI already has nowadays. Children are exploring the digital environment as it is and will be early adopters of innovative services and platforms to come. Virtual worlds and generative artificial intelligence will be a major driver for network capacity and offer a wide range of opportunities and benefits but, hazards and risks cannot be ruled out. To harness the benefits and prepare a level playing field for emerging new markets, standardisation is mandatory, but also risks must be anticipated and managed based on the principle of safety by design. Art. 3 of the UN-Convention on the Rights of the Child demands “the best interest of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children.” Consequently, shaping the regulatory framework for Virtual Worlds and Artificial Intelligence must adhere to a child rights-based approach. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has phrased General Comment No. 25, para. 4 as follows: “The rights of every child must be respected, protected, and fulfilled in the digital environment. Innovations in digital technologies affect children’s lives and their rights in ways that are wide-ranging and interdependent, even where children do not themselves access the Internet. Meaningful access to digital technologies can support children to realize the full range of their civil, political, cultural, economic, and social rights. However, if digital inclusion is not achieved, existing inequalities are likely to increase, and new ones may arise.” Internet Governance should be future oriented and take account of assessment of new technologies. Therefore, it is timely to take up on an approach to govern the new and innovative developments in a way that balances economic interest and human rights.

Description:
The global IGF (IGF 2024), in its 19th version, will be hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since the launch of the IGF, it will be the second time an Arab country will be the host after Egypt in 2009. This represents an important opportunity for the Internet Governance community in the Arab World to outline and discuss the landscape of the IG process in the region in terms of: • Policy dialogue and development. • Multistakeholder participation and engagement. • What has been accomplished so far? • The priorities and top issues of the regions according to each stakeholder group. The above points will focus on key players, organizations, and stakeholder groups actively involved in IG-related matters in the region. The workshop will provide an important opportunity to interact with experts from around the world and with active IG participants to: • Help evaluate and assess the IG process in the Arab World. • Shed the light on IG best practices that can be adopted in the Arab world. • Introduce means and mechanisms to make the IG-related process more inclusive in the Arab World. • Link the region IG agenda with global IGF. The IGF 2024 in Saudi Arabia presents a pivotal moment for Internet Governance (IG) in the Arab World, marking a significant opportunity since Egypt hosted the event in 2009. This workshop will explore: - The evolution and current landscape of IG policies in the Arab World. - The effectiveness of multistakeholder participation and its impact on policy development. - Achievements and top priorities in regional IG, identifying active organizations and stakeholder groups. The workshop aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue among its participants (onsite and online) on enhancing IG practices, ensuring more inclusive processes, and linking regional activities with global IG frameworks.

Description:
AI continues to shape industries and innovation. Language plays a critical role in expanding the reach and capabilities of generative AI models. However, many languages are still underrepresented in training datasets. These are called "low-resource languages." For example, the Common Crawl is a free and open repository of web crawl data, widely used for the training of large language models. Yet, 46.5% of its documents are primarily in English. This is followed by Russian, German, Japanese and Spanish; each comprising around 5% of the dataset. According to UNESCO, there are over 8300 languages worldwide; whereas the Common Crawl contains only 160 languages. AI systems trained in a diverse set of languages is a precondition for advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age. This session, "The Human Rights Impact of Underrepresented Languages in AI: The Unspoken South," will explore this issue by identifying problems and mapping solutions. First, it will underscore policy and societal implications of language underrepresentation in AI systems. This will include the impacts to cultural rights under international human rights law. This is, specifically, the rights to take part in cultural life; to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress; to benefit from the protection of scientific, literary or artistic production, including the protection of traditional knowledge. Moreover, the session will cover AI-specific policy implications, such as bias, fairness and safety. Second, the session will highlight lines of action to solve the challenge. This may include (1) the creation of incentive systems for people to contribute with data ethically; (2) awareness-raising to mainstream the topic within the digital rights agenda; (3) advocacy to unlock access to language datasets for communities that are culturally-associated with the data therein; and (4) co-designing copyright licenses that attend to the needs of low-resource language communities affected by AI.

Description:
Digital technologies offer immense benefits to society, but many groups face barriers to digital inclusion, including older people, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. As our daily lives become increasingly dependent on digital technologies and the internet, these groups risk social isolation, security vulnerabilities, and exclusion from economic opportunities. This session aims to explore the complexities of digital exclusion and its intersections with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). We will explore the challenges faced by marginalised communities in accessing and effectively using digital tools, with a focus on understanding the root causes of digital exclusion. Participants in this session will engage in discussions to identify the main barriers to digital inclusion and reflect on innovative solutions to address these challenges. We will draw on diverse perspectives and experiences to uncover actionable insights that can lead to meaningful change in promoting digital inclusion for all. The session programme includes • A dynamic ice-breaker to encourage networking and sharing of experiences between participants. • Brain-writing activities to capture ideas, questions, and recommendations related to digital exclusion and AI. • Insightful discussions with session speakers to deepen understanding and explore practical strategies. • Brainstorming sessions in small groups to co-create actionable outcomes and formats to tackle digital exclusion. • A debriefing session to summarise the main lessons learned and define the next steps for collaborative action. In addition, we aim to document all the inputs from the sessions and turn them into visual notes with the help of an illustrator. These visual notes will serve as a valuable resource for sharing ideas and recommendations beyond the event, contributing to ongoing efforts to promote digital inclusion and equity.

As humanity stands on the cusp of an exciting reentry into human and robotic space exploration of the Moon, this panel will delve into the need of a governance framework to guide the establishment, operation, and use of the Interplanetary Internet. It will address lessons learned from the Internet, particularly highlighting multistakeholder governance as essential for fostering a common, open, and shared network environment even in space.
1) The session will use the technical tools provided by IGF with a dedicated personnel to manage real-time communication between onsite and online participants, ensuring equal engagement opportunities. 2) The session will seek to include interactive polls and clear communication to optimize the experience for both onsite and online attendees. 3) The session will seek to utilize platforms like Slido to foster participation and interaction, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all attendees.

The development of ICTs is bringing the convenient life and unprecedented opportunitiesto the elderly and disabled groups. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, there are more than 1 billion people in the world that encounter inconvenience caused by disability, which means that one out of 7 people requires the help of barrier-free facilitation. As for the information barrier-free, the new emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and big data are playing the important roles to empower the aging group so that they could enjoy the equal access and convenience. Meanwhile, we shall also address the security issue of the aging group when they using the Internet, such as how to help them solve the problems of AI fraud, personal data leaking etc. In this context, multi-stakeholders will be invited to share the policy and prectice best practice of using AI on empowering an inclusive digital society and as well as they could enjoy a safe online environment.
The speakers will be all onsite and keep interaction with remote participants through Q&A. We will have onsite and remote moderator to interact with participants, and leave more time for Q&A or online intervention. Zoom, and social networking tools will be used to promote the event and interaction.

Cybersecurity is a key issue in the global Internet Governance Ecosystem. Cybersecurity is challenged by cybercriminals and cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. But since more than a decade we see also the development of artificial intelligence- based weapon systems which have the potential to undermine both international peace and security as well as the functioning of the Internet.
The Open Forum will discuss recent developments and new perspectives of the need for regulation of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). The 79th UN General Assembly in October discussed the AWS Report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres published in July 2024 pursuant to the UN Resolution , introduced by Austria in 2023, and supported by the overwhelming majority of UN member states. This year, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions: the follow up resolution sponsored by Austria and a cross-regional group of co-sponsors, which is aimed to intensify the AWS discussion and another one sponsored by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea together with a cross-regional group of co-sponsors on the application of AI in the military domain more broadly, which goes beyond AWS. For 2025, the UN will organize a two-day multi-istakeholder informal consultation on AWS. The call of the UN Secretary General and the ICRC President, supported by many states, to conclude negotiations on a legally binding instrument on AWS by 2026 is still on the table.
The Open Forum will discuss recent developments and new perspectives of the need for regulation of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS). The 79th UN General Assembly in October discussed the AWS Report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres published in July 2024 pursuant to the UN Resolution , introduced by Austria in 2023, and supported by the overwhelming majority of UN member states. This year, the UN General Assembly adopted two resolutions: the follow up resolution sponsored by Austria and a cross-regional group of co-sponsors, which is aimed to intensify the AWS discussion and another one sponsored by the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea together with a cross-regional group of co-sponsors on the application of AI in the military domain more broadly, which goes beyond AWS. For 2025, the UN will organize a two-day multi-istakeholder informal consultation on AWS. The call of the UN Secretary General and the ICRC President, supported by many states, to conclude negotiations on a legally binding instrument on AWS by 2026 is still on the table.

This session looks at the dynamic intersection between digital transformation and sustainable development. It examines the impact of digital technologies on environmental sustainability, climate action and the circular economy. Through interactive discussions and expert advice, participants will explore the conflicts and synergies inherent in the green digital transition. The session aims to propose concrete solutions to minimise environmental impact while maximising the positive contributions of digital innovations. Participants will engage in brainstorming, knowledge sharing and networking activities to foster a collaborative approach towards a responsible green and digital transition.
Interactions from onsite and online speakers will be facilitated by the onsite and online moderators respectively. Equal speaking opportunities will be made available to both online and onsite attendees. The onsite moderator will periodically check in with the online moderator to address any interactions raised by the online participants. Online participants are encouraged to contribute to the discussions using the online chat as well.

Description:
As more states around the globe seek to implement digital governance initiatives, citizens may have the opportunity to act as more than mere users of digital governance systems - instead, participating actively in their design and maintenance. Bringing together technical experts, social science researchers in the field of digital governance, and experts in the field of human rights in a digital context, this workshop will facilitate discussion on the role of citizens as stakeholders in digitally governed societies. Critical topics addressed during this workshop will include the balance of security and transparency in the collection and use of citizen data, current pilot projects to include citizens in the planning and execution of digital governance systems and the varying success of such projects, and the ways in which digital governance systems may be designed to include the input of traditionally marginalized communities and thus bridge the current gaps in public service delivery to these groups, among others. Throughout this workshop, there will be numerous opportunities for participants to contribute to the vibrant roundtable conversation exploring both the various challenges and opportunities that accompany direct citizen participation in shaping digital governance.

The internet and digital technologies hold significant potential for realising children’s rights. However, the digital space also introduces significant risks, especially for children. This session will focus on the importance of embedding children's rights and safety within the digitalisation agenda. As countries navigate digital transformation, it is essential to implement coordinated strategies that involve multiple sectors - technology, social services, justice, education, civil society and community amongst others - to ensure the safety and well-being of child users. This session, facilitated by UNICEF, will convene speakers from around the globe to discuss multi-sectoral strategies that seek to reap the benefits of digital innovation for children while guarding against myriad risks.
Participants will hear directly from policymakers and practitioners, representing:
• the Family Affairs Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
• the Global Cybersecurity Forum,
• the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
• Australia’s eSafety Commissioner,
• Child Helpline International, and
• Business for Social Responsibility.
The speakers will share innovative measures from their countries and organisations. These examples will showcase the roles of various stakeholders in creating policies, programmes, and technological solutions that prioritise child safety and well-being while facilitating children's engagement with digital technologies. The session will include a moderated discussion to encourage participation from both the online and onsite audience. Key points of discussion will include the importance of incorporating children’s rights and views into the design and implementation of policy measures and technologies; the necessity for educative measures to consider children’s safety and well-being in all settings, moving past binary notions of ‘online’ and ‘offline’; and how technologies can support children’s safety and well-being. This interactive session aims to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas, experiences, and innovative strategies to embed children’s rights within the digitalisation agenda.

The Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) has more than 60 countries, regional organizations, and international organizations as members all working toward the same goal - building our collective resilience to ransomware. Ransomware is one of the most prolific cyber threats we face today. and it impacts our schools, hospitals, governments, and other critical infrastructure. CRI is a coalition focused on cooperating internationally to address the ransomware threat and develop policies and mechanisms that reduce the incentives of that reduce the incentives of ransomware.
The Open Forum session will include a moderator and speakers representing the different workstreams in the CRI.
The forum’s agenda will include:
- Overview of ransomware as a malicious cyber threat
- CRI Overview and CRI Worksteams
- Questions
 
States will be able to learn how to join CRI, if interested. Private Sector and Civil Society are invited to learn more about CRI and opportunities to engage with the initiative.
We will have an assigned online moderator to ensure interaction between onsite and online speakers. To ensure the best experience for online and onsite participants, we will ensure participants introduce themselves and/or have name cards, and the moderator will keep time so there is an opportunity for questions at the end. We will also reserve time for questions from online attendees, with the in-person moderator noting any questions and reading them on the mic.

Description:
The Internet is the foundation and basis of all emerging technologies; it is open to all and interoperable, relying on open protocols. This workshop focuses on preserving and upholding the foundational principles of the internet by maintaining a user-centric perspective and advocating for the continued development and enforcement of open standards. Our goal is to prevent the transformation of the Internet into a closed and proprietary digital ecosystem. In our workshop, the discussion will rise through a thorough examination of crucial issues that could impact the open nature of the internet. We will begin by addressing the challenges posed by open standards in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Participants will explore the implications of technological advancements on the ability of open standards to keep pace with innovation and discuss strategies to enhance the open standards to make them more adaptable to changes in technologies. After this, we will discuss the impact of proprietary platforms on internet accessibility and inclusivity. This discussion will mainly revolve around how the dominance of these platforms, which are managed by big tech companies, increases the digital divide by creating pay-walls and closed ecosystems, especially affecting marginalized communities who may lack affordable access. We will engage in a dialogue involving potential regulations and policy interventions that could promote competition and remove monopolistic practices to provide equitable access to digital resources for all users. Finally, we will talk about enhancing the user experience through user-centric designs. We will highlight the importance of incorporating accessibility features into digital platforms to make them accessible to individuals with disabilities. This will also touch upon the legal compliance of these platforms with respect to accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, to ensure that digital environments are accessible to everyone.

The workshop aims to build a sustainable and secure digital world by addressing environmental impact, technical protection, and ethical aspects; its goal is to:
-Understand how policies can balance innovation with sustainable investing and human rights, ensuring internet as a force for positive social change
-Explore key initiatives by the government and private companies to incorporate sustainable investments in the digital sector
-Highlight the issues and provide solutions to create a global framework and opportunity for a sustainable digital investments

Description:
The global Internet we have come to rely on for all digital, social and economic activity is only possible because its technical foundations are stable and interoperable. Domain names and systems of unique identifiers are at the heart of these technical foundations; they are robust, reliable, global, and based on strong multistakeholder governance. These systems are also continuing to evolve. This session will discuss how ICANN's multistakeholder community and partners are expanding the number of top-level domains (TLDs) to create more diverse and inclusive ways for people and organizations to manage their online presence, identity, geographies, and brands. The main focus is on developing countries and underserved regions and communities. This session will bring together innovators, businesses, governments, and others–to discuss how to shape the Internet in ways that reflect global diversity. The workshop will explore key questions of: How is the Domain Name System (DNS) relevant to real-world challenges that policymakers, civil society, academia, and the private sector are trying to solve? What can we learn from innovative examples in the DNS to help others leverage the power of the Internet to help solve the challenges they face? In doing so, how do we collectively evolve the Internet to better reflect our cultural, regional, and linguistic diversity and in service of the next billion Internet users? In exploring these questions with participants, the panel will present programs and case studies on advancing digital inclusion and harnessing innovation. These include:
* gTLD case studies, examples of DNS innovation and diversification
* gTLD Program Next Round’s Applicant Support Program & .KIDS case study
* Internationalized Domain Names & Universal Acceptance Programs
* A call to action for new and innovative ways to use the domain name system to address opportunities and challenges

Description:
The session aims to thoroughly analyze the pivotal role of regulatory sandboxes in shaping regulatory frameworks regarding data governance, including data sharing, data protection, and artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past decade, regulatory sandboxes have emerged as essential tools for regulators, particularly within the fintech sector, to address challenges posed by emerging technologies across various policy domains. By providing a controlled environment for real-time testing of technological innovations and policy interventions, while integrating necessary safeguards and oversight mechanisms, sandboxes foster responsible innovation and facilitate regulator understanding of evolving technologies and market dynamics. This facilitates the development of agile and contextually relevant regulatory frameworks. Various entities, from think tanks and development banks to governmental ministries and data protection authorities, have actively championed and implemented sandbox initiatives. Insights from these organizations representing diverse geographical regions, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and the UK, will be featured in the conversation. The discussion will delve into key aspects of sandbox initiatives undertaken in these countries, addressing inquiries regarding the fundamental characteristics of sandboxes, their efficacy in promoting responsible data governance and AI innovation, regional implementation prospects and challenges, and fostering international collaborations.

Description:
Artificial Intelligence is undoubtedly affecting the entire world, but the distribution of its benefits and risks is uneven, with a handful of private sector actors and states reaping most of the benefits of AI development, while other countries bear most of the risks. As the global ‘digital canyon’ widens, we run the risk of relegating the Global South to the role of the role of consumers and data providers, marginalizing their perspectives and specific needs in shaping AI applications and policies. The expanding "digital canyon" exacerbates global disparities and poses a threat to the attainment of SDGs, underscoring the pressing need to address inequalities in representation in global AI governance frameworks and mechanisms. The MBRSG, with the support of google.org, is conducting a yearlong research project into the specific challenges and opportunities for integration of the MENA region into global AI governance frameworks and potential ways to drive the competitiveness of the AI ecosystem in the region. We will use this workshop as a platform to share some of the important findings of this research and to kick off a discussion with discussants from critical sectors. This workshop focuses on the challenges and opportunities of integrating the Global South, particularly the MENA region, into global AI governance frameworks. Discussants from academia, technical community, and the private sector will come together to discuss the role of local governments, international organizations, and technology companies in ensuring the equal participation of all countries in global AI governance frameworks to make representation and oversight mechanisms more inclusive, to ensure accountability, improve representativeness and mitigate bias in AI algorithms, and ensure access to resources and data.

Since 2019, the Internet Society Foundation (ISOC Foundation), the supporting organization of the Internet Society, has had the mission of championing ideas and enabling communities to unlock the Internet's potential to tackle the world’s evolving challenges. Through its programs and initiatives, the Foundation provides global funding that promotes greater and more open access to the Internet via economic and educational opportunities, development/innovation in infrastructure and resiliency, research, and funding for ISOC chapters, NRIs, and SIGs. In this networking session, the Foundation will present its recent Programs Impact Reports and discuss its philanthropic strategy and current work helping to bridge the digital divide and promote global connection. Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A and time for community building and discussion with Foundation staff.
This networking session will contain a powerpoint presentation followed by a Q&A session. Online attendees will be able to view the presentation and participate in the Q&A session.

Description:
Globally, ESG considerations are gaining importance, with the rapid growing cyber security industry. Both industries are emerging and unaware of intersection, but seldom is there discussion on this perspective. In addition to ensuring data and systems protection, the cybersecurity industry is now facing another important challenge, which is the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Facing this reality and intersection of important topics, the experts’ session will cover important informations on how to improve ESG system to enhance transparency while protect personal data on sustainability reporting The speakers, from different backgrounds, like ESG specialists, researchers, representatives of the technical community and civil society, will explore the theme, speaking about adaptation to emerging trends, addressing environmental impact, embracing sustainability, and prioritizing social responsibility and ethical practices to thrive in this ever-evolving landscape. While technology offers solutions for climate change, it also presents environmental challenges, such as the use of genetic resources in free access databases, management of waste and the energy consumption associated with electronic devices, data centers, and communication networks primarily powered by fossil fuels. This session also covers challenges, highlighting how the ESG standards and principles have collaborated on the advancement of technology and internet use towards a more sustainable environment, it also covers the ESG issues related to environment and use of data on reports. On top of cybersecurity’s critical role in protecting systems and data, equally as cybersecurity has mainly been viewed as a technology issue, it is now also regarded as a key ESG concern, falling under the “Social” pillar. ESG frameworks are a tangible means of evaluating corporate behavior; by incorporating cybersecurity, a new dimension is added, giving insight into cyber behaviors and risks which form a critical part of the bigger ESG picture.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has been transforming how we teach and learn. Its interactive nature can make learning more personalized, effective, and efficient. It also makes education more accessible and inclusive, especially for those from the Global South. But if misused, GenAI would pose serious risks, such as allowing cheating in writing and exams, and thus lead to negative learning outcomes. The panel will consist of a UNU expert, a minister of education, a computer science professor, a legal expert, and an educational technology company CEO. The panel will explore the potential innovation of GenAI to make learning more engaging and effective. For example, the private sector panelist will share stories of some recent start-ups and their innovative initiatives building on GenAI. The panel will also provide a multistakeholder perspective on how to mitigate the risks of GenAI to ensure its safe and equitable development and use for all. The computer scientist will demystify GenAI by explaining its technical possibilities and limitations. The legal expert from the global south will discuss issues on data privacy and copyright in educational settings. The policymaker from the ministry of education will share practices in their country, as well as discuss policymaking challenges on GenAI in education. Finally, the panel will provide policy recommendations to governments and international organizations on how to create an effective eco-system for GenAI to continue to grow ethically, transparently and effectively, so to shape a sustainable digital future for all.
We aim to organize the session in a highly hybrid format and ensure that both online and in-person participants will be able to participate in an equally effective manner. In so doing, we will dedicate an online moderator, who will bridge the discussions online and in-person. We will also use polling tools (e.g. Polleverywhere) to facilitate the online and in-person participants to interact with the panel by responding to polling questions etc.

Description:
When developed and deployed with consumer interests at the forefront, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has the potential to be truly transformative. By increasing competition and fostering innovation in the financial sector, it can break down barriers to access and inclusion and increase opportunities for sustainable development. Case studies from Brazil and India show DPI’s potential to increase access to essential banking services, provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional payment methods, and drive competition in the financial sector. The promise of DPI lies in its ability to democratize finance, drive economic growth, and improve livelihoods at an unprecedented scale; however, without meaningful consultation across stakeholders - including from diverse consumer voices, expansion and reliance on financial DPI may further disenfranchise the very groups it intends to serve. For instance, rural communities with limited internet connectivity are at risk of being excluded from digital payment platforms, cutting them off from vital financial services. Women and low-income individuals, who already face disproportionate challenges in accessing traditional banking, are at risk of inequities being replicated and amplified in the digital realm. f strong data protection, cybersecurity and digital literacy initiatives do not accompany the rollout of financial DPI, consumers are more susceptible to falling victim to online scams, privacy breaches, and predatory lending. This workshop will discuss learnings, best practices and recommendations in financial DPI, drawing on two case studies: Brazil’s Pix payment system, which has enabled millions of previously unbanked individuals to participate in the digital economy while offering small businesses an affordable alternative to high credit card fees; and India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI), which has facilitated an explosion of digital transactions, empowering consumers and entrepreneurs alike. Panelists will discuss the importance of meaningful internet connectivity and digital literacy, anti-discrimination, data protection and cyber security to ensuring sustainable and inclusive financial DPI.

The purpose of this forum is to explore how tech companies can effectively fulfill their responsibilities for protecting children online while pursuing technological innovation. In order to promote responsible technological innovation for serving children, various levels of government in China have introduced multiple laws and regulations for the protection of minors online, such as the Law on Protection of Personal Information, the ”online protection” section of the Law on Protection of Minors and the Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online. In 2021, UNICEF released the 2.0 version of its global policy guide "Artificial Intelligence for Children - Policy Guidelines," which includes responsible artificial intelligence principles for children. How to promote tech companies implementing the responsibility of protecting children online in technological innovation is the main focus of this forum. The forum plans to invite policymakers, industry practitioners, academic researchers, and social workers in the field of child online protection to engage in a dialogue. By fully integrating industry, academia, research, and social opinions, the forum aims to provide recommendations for responsible technological innovation for children. Firstly, the forum will mainly discuss the following three aspects: (1) How can tech companies ensure that their technological innovations do not have negative impacts on children's online safety and privacy while pursuing technological innovation? This involves designing safer and more child-friendly tech products and services, as well as fully considering the special needs and rights of children in the innovation process. (2) How should tech companies formulate and implement effective policies and measures for child online protection? This includes developing clear child online protection policies, establishing dedicated child online protection teams, and ensuring the safety and health of children when using internet products through technical means and manual review. (3) How to raise awareness of child online protection among tech companies and the general public? This includes enhancing tech companies' awareness and sense of responsibility for child online protection through publicity and education activities, as well as increasing public attention and participation in child online protection issues to create a safer and healthier online environment together. Secondly, challenges and opportunities related to the topic of this forum are as follows: On one hand, with the rapid development of technology, child online protection needs to continuously adapt to new threats and vulnerabilities. This requires tech companies to not only focus on technological innovation but also strengthen research and defense against emerging online threats. Tech companies may also consider adopting international standards and principles such as Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) or Safety-by-Design when pursuing children’s online safety. Currently, laws, regulations, and policies related to child online protection need to quickly adapt to the pace of technological development. This requires tech companies to actively cooperate with governments, social organizations, etc., to promote the improvement of relevant regulations and policies while innovating. Improving parents' and children's own awareness of online security is a long-term and challenging task. Tech companies need to consider user education in product design and conduct public welfare activities to raise public awareness of online security. On the other hand, technological innovation provides new solutions for child online protection. For example, through technologies such as artificial intelligence, bearing in mind the principles of the UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children, it is possible to more effectively identify and prevent the spread of harmful information, thus protecting children's online safety. As global attention to child online protection increases, governments and private sector will invest more resources in supporting the research and application of relevant technologies to ensure safe technology products and access to Internet. This provides tech companies with tremendous market opportunities as it shows companies‘ actively fulfilling the responsibility of child online protection helps to enhance their sense of social responsibility and brand image. This not only strengthens the competitiveness of enterprises but also attracts more socially responsible users and partners. In summary, tech companies face both challenges and opportunities in fulfilling their responsibility for child online protection through technological innovation. By overcoming challenges in technology, regulations, and user’s awareness, while seizing opportunities in technological innovation, policy support, and social responsibility, companies can play a greater role in protecting children's online safety while achieving their own sustainable development. Agenda (60 Min): 1. (2 Min) The moderator introduced the theme and purpose of the forum and introduced the participants. 2. (8 Min) Organizers or child protection experts share the case call for responsible technology innovations for children that UNICEF and CFIS launched this year. 3. (20 Min) The onsite speakers share their views. Topics to be addressed include but are not limited to: (1) The balance between scientific and technological innovation and children's online protection. (2) Formulate and implement effective child online protection policies and measures. (3) Raise the awareness of Internet enterprises and the public on children's online protection. 4. (10 Min) Online speakers share their views. Topics to be addressed include but are not limited to: (1) The experience and measures of well-known Internet companies in different countries on child online protection. (2) What good policies, regulations or standards exist in different countries to promote responsible scientific and technological innovation for children. 5. (10Min) Representative Internet companies share their experiences and practices in responsible technology innovation for children. 6. (8 Min) Open discussion and Q&A: all participants onsite and online will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their viewpoints, and speakers will answer these questions. 7. (2 Min) The moderator will deliver the closing remarks.
(1) As a hybrid forum, there are both onsite speakers and attendees, as well as online speakers and attendees. In order to attract more attendees, we will invite and encourage people to participate online through Zoom meeting software. The onsite and online moderators will closely cooperate and be responsible for activating the atmosphere of onsite and online discussions, respectively. The online moderator will collect online questions in a timely manner and convey them to the onsite moderator to ensure smooth communication between the onsite and online attendees. (2) Multiple volunteers will be arranged onsite for video filming to ensure that each speaker's speech video can be live streamed online through Zoom. The moderator and speakers onsite can see the online participants' questions in real-time through the LED screen on site. The online moderator interacts with online attendees, promptly pushing meaningful questions through the screen to the moderator or speakers onsite, and strictly controlling the speaking time to ensure the participation of each speaker and the progress of the forum. In addition, we will promote the forum in advance so that online participants can prepare questions and relevant materials in advance, which may facilitate more interesting discussions onsite. (3) The organizer will design and create graphic and textual links, promotional posters, etc. around the theme of the forum, and spread them through social media platforms such as WeChat, Twitter, and Facebook to attract more attendees and stimulate everyone's thinking in advance, creating an atmosphere of joint participation.

Description:
The “common desire and commitment to build a people-centered, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society” articulated 20 years ago at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is still to be concretised. The adoption of the Global Digital Compact towards outlining "shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all" is a foremost opportunity to reinterpret the WSIS vision to address the enormous persistent and emerging challenges that stand in the way of social justice, the strengthening of human rights, gender justice, environmental justice and, ultimately, digital justice. The IGF is at the epicenter of the transformations necessary to harmonise and coordinate strategies in the digital cooperation ecosystem.  This session explores with the IGF community the various proposals to strengthen the IGF as a pivotal space to support and facilitate the implementation, follow up and review of the outcomes of the WSIS+20, the Pact for the Future and the NetMundial+10. It also points to identify creative ways in which the IGF could play such a role in the upcoming decade.

The concept of building bridges and creating partnerships is vital in sharing knowledge, fostering sustainable growth and inclusion all humanity which in turn is leads to global prosperity and peace. In our digital age, the technology and internet allow marginalised communities access to a world of knowledge, ideas and opportunities they otherwise would not have access to closing a long endured divide between different communities and human beings around the world. Therefore, digital platforms that seek to build bridges between different stakeholders and create previously unlikely partnerships are key in fostering sustainable development particularly in regions like the global south. Such partnerships and collaborations allow their stakeholders to virtually enter new markets and opportunities that drive innovation, growth and resilience. We take this opportunity to launch the Egyptian Government's "Hub for Advisory, Finance and Investment for Enterprises – HAFIZ" which is a fully integrated platform that allows the private sector to understand the needs of the different development partners while bridging the information gap and exposing the private sector in Egypt to finance, business and development opportunities provided by these ODA partners across the globe. Additionally there are different formats of partnerships in Africa that are helping usher in a digital era such as the World Bank's Digital Development Partnership (DDP) initiative which brings public and private sector partners together to advance digital solutions and accelerate safe and inclusive digital transformation in developing countries with extensive lessons learnt from their work in Africa and the global south which must be shared with the world. https://www.digitaldevelopmentpartnership.org/ https://privatesector.moic.gov.eg/?lang=en
1) Facilitation of interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees will be managed by the virtual and onsite moderators who will foster a balanced discussion and inputs between speakers and take questions for virtual and onsite participants. 2) This session is designed to foster partnerships, the roundtable set up will allow onsite participants to introduce themselves to other participants on their table and get to know one-another while the chat function on MS Teams will allow virtual participants to introduce themselves as well and communicate their thoughts and comments with one-another. 3) In addition to the technology and tools provided by the IGF, the session organisers will use MS Teams to allow virtual participants to communicate with each other, follow the discussion, view visuals and presentations as well as pose questions for the speakers.

Join us for a lightning talk at the Internet Governance Forum as we delve into the transformative power of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovations Ecosystem (DMI-Ecosystem) in revolutionizing urban mobility and sustainable urban development. In this lightning talk, we delve into the transformative potential of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovations Ecosystem (DMI-ecosystem) in revolutionizing urban mobility and fostering sustainable urban development. At its core, the DMI-ecosystem aims to seamlessly integrate digital connectivity with mobility, spatial planning, and sustainability initiatives, laying a robust foundation for smart and sustainable urbanization and mobility solutions in the Netherlands. Our talk will unravel the strategic investments of the National Growth Fund in this initiative. Central to the plan is the seamless sharing of data among governmental bodies and businesses in the mobility and urban development sectors. This entails the creation of an ecosystem with both technological infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, ensuring clarity on how parties interact with and utilize each other's data. We will explore how this ecosystem fosters and organizes the data market while establishing clear guidelines for data usage, privacy, security, and reuse. By facilitating a smooth data exchange infrastructure with uniform technical and organizational standards across various domains, the initiative promotes comprehensive public-private collaboration. This collaborative framework is dedicated to driving innovative solutions to the myriad sustainability challenges confronting our urban centers. Moreover, the DMI-ecosystem presents lucrative opportunities for market players to introduce novel products and business models leveraging the digital infrastructure. Join us as we explore how the DMI-ecosystem serves as a blueprint for harnessing the power of data-driven initiatives to optimize mobility, enhance urban living, and advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn how this innovative approach not only transforms urban landscapes but also fosters economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship in the Netherlands and beyond.
In this hybrid meeting, interaction and participation are key for engagement. We use multiple discussion elements in the session and use tools like polls, chats, and good online moderation for real-time collaboration. Encouraging these contributions from all attendees fosters our inclusivity and discussion, maximizing meeting effectiveness.

This is a collaborative session organized by several national, regional and youth IGF initiatives from different regions.
2024 is the election year. A record number of voters is expected to participate in elections across at least 64 countries which hold around 49% of the world’s population. The practice has demonstrated that false narratives can manipulate public opinion, skewing electoral outcomes and undermining trust in institutions. Inaccurate information spreads rapidly through social media, exacerbating polarization and fracturing societies. Effective countermeasures are crucial to ensure informed decision-making by voters. Failure to combat dis- and misinformation risks eroding democratic principles, fostering division, and empowering malign actors. Upholding the integrity of elections necessitates concerted efforts and collective actions to combat falsehoods, promote transparency and restore trust, preserving the foundation of democratic governance for generations to come.

Through multistakeholder exchanges of national and regional IGF initiatives, this session will address the following policy questions.

Which role traditional media and social media play in the elections in the digital era? How do existing regulations against disinformation apply to these two subjects and what are the so far made achievements?
In some regions of the world some regulatory efforts have been made to prevent or tackle disinformation during elections. Which results have obtained (or not) in this elections’ year (e.g. EU, India, US)?
How can education initiatives enable the electorate to identify and report misleading content during election cycles? In what ways can media literacy programs be innovatively designed to engage diverse communities?
What collaborative strategies can be established among all stakeholders to ensure comprehensive coverage and accessibility of media and digital literacy programs across society?
What role could digital platforms and technology companies play in mitigating the impact of false information on electoral integrity, and how can regulatory measures be implemented to hold them accountable for their actions?
What are good practices of regulatory frameworks that strike a balance between curbing the dissemination of false information during elections and upholding principles of free expression? How can these measures be enforced effectively without impinging on individuals' rights?
How can the multistakeholder model and public-private partnerships be leveraged to enhance the effectiveness and scalability of initiatives aimed at combating disinformation in the context of elections?
How to empower people’s voice through authenticity, transparency and accountability to ensure elections integrity

Description:
Data, if used responsibly, can address social problems and challenges for the world’s children, while offering tremendous potential for innovation. However, several complex obstacles stand in the way of better governance of children’s data. This session will consider the need for rights-based data governance for children across the three fields of education technology (EdTech), neurotechnology (NeuroTech), and financial technology (FinTech). Globally, EdTech has been at the forefront of innovations in education. Increased digitalization and advances in AI and machine learning have provided opportunities to improve educational outcomes for children, in support of SDG 4. Other innovative technologies such as NeuroTech are also increasingly being trialled in diverse settings. NeuroTech offers powerful opportunities for improving children’s health, in support of SDG 3, and optimizing education, in support of SDG 4. As part of ending poverty, SDG 1.4 requires access to appropriate economic resources, including new technologies and financial services. While children are traditionally unable to legally hold financial assets or carry out transactions without the consent of their parents, FinTech makes it possible for children to make unsupervised transactions. All of these innovative technologies have also created data-related risks, threatening children’s rights to privacy, to access information, and to freedom of thought. The rapid introduction of all these technologies into children’s lives has largely outpaced policy debates and regulatory frameworks. There can be uncertainty around the roles of the key stakeholders responsible, such as ministries of education, health, and finance, consumer protection authorities, and data protection authorities. During this session we will consider a series of examples of attempts to govern children’s data in EdTech, Neurotech and FinTech, and brainstorm a set of recommendations to improve data governance for children in relation to innovative technologies and drawing insights and conclusions for improving principles and practices around data governance generally.

Description:
The exponential growth of digital platforms transformed the digital advertising ecosystem. Their business models, based on data collection and analysis for the purpose of targeted advertising, has profoundly impacted contemporary journalism. The systematic shift of revenue from journalism to digital platforms reshaped the landscape of media consumption, production, and distribution. These transformations not only alter the circulation of journalistic content but also exacerbate power imbalances, potentially widening the gap between those with access to quality, reliable, and diverse information and those without. This is particularly evident in crises such as those surrounding public health and political-electoral communications. At the core of this concern lies the question of how journalism is compensated by digital platforms, igniting a wave of regulatory proposals across various nations and mobilizing multiple stakeholders. Australia notably passed pioneering legislation addressing this issue. In Canada, the approval of the Online News Act prompted Meta to remove news from their platforms. In Brazil, legislative efforts aimed at regulating digital platforms have stirred controversy. A decree has also been issued in Indonesia, while South Africa is currently conducting a inquiry on digital platforms markets. The session is designed to delve into the successes, challenges, and lessons gained from regulatory endeavors concerning the remuneration of journalism by digital platforms, alongside initiatives aimed at addressing this crisis. Informed by recent regulatory efforts in various countries, this discussion aims to produce a roadmap of good practices, fostering consensus on the matter. These experiences underscore the imperative to strengthen a multistakeholder approach in the debate, addressing the disputes between preserving innovation on the one hand and guaranteeing human rights such as rights to freedom of expression and access to information on the other.

Data has become a pretty valuable resource in the digital age, playing an increasingly important role in promoting technological, application & service innovations, improving governance capabilities, facilitating international cooperation, and addressing common human challenges. Public data, regarded as a type of high-quality data resource with abundant quantity, high quality, and sound structure, is increasingly recognized as a valuable contributor to sustainable development in the digital society, further efforts to promote its development, utilization, and governance are increasingly called for. Since the beginning of the century, the process of open data has been initiated globally, advocating for the open sharing of data generated by the public sector. However, despite the evident benefits of using public data, governance of public data still faces many issues and challenges, with one crucial problem being how to define the "public data". Due to the nature of data, to avoid infringing the interests of other bodies, the definition of public data must be clear and unambiguous, which is also a basic prerequisite for the governance and utilization of public data. According to our research, there are roughly three modes of defining public data in various countries: the first is based on the nature of entity generating the data, the second is based on whether it is related to the public interest, and the third is based on whether there is public financial support behind the data activities. Currently, the definitions and targets adopted by various countries and international organizations when using the concept of "public data" are not consistent, which may pose problems for the formulation of governance rules for public data at the international level. For example, the UNCTAD's Digital Economy Report 2021 pointed out the lack of clarity in the definition of public data in studies, suggesting that it may refer to data generated by the public sector while also considering data collected by the private sector to serve the public interest; the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' e-Government Report 2020, on the other hand, considers public data to be data that can be obtained in the public domain. The OECD, the EU, and some other international organizations also have their own definitions. In addition to the definition problem, other issues that may be involved in public data governance include: how to use or authorize the use of public data; whether fees should be charged for the sharing and use of public data; how to protect personal data that may be involved in the development and utilization of public data; what roles and responsibilities different stakeholders have in the entire lifecycle of public data; and how to maximize the value of public data to promote cooperation among the international community in addressing common challenges, especially empowering countries in the Global South. This session will start with the most basic issue of defining public data, expanding to discuss other key issues in public data governance. The session hopes to achieve a common understanding and recognition of the model to define public data and clarify the key issues in public data governance that currently require focused measures. At the same time, the organizers will also introduce the latest developments in China's practices on definition and governance of public data to participants and hope to hear from participants about the governance of public data in their own countries. You may find our latest research report on the definition of public data on: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AsPlQOqcf0rOohI-Jr_fJKZBNFOB?e=o7JkXY （We'll continue our study in 2024 and bring the English version soon.）
The organizers will arrange an online moderator who will utilize the online meeting tools provided by the IGF Secretariat to interact with online participants. This interaction includes promptly responding in the chat box and relaying questions to the speakers for their responses. The organizers will also use tools such as Tencent Meeting to conduct synchronous live streaming for the community in the organizers' country and communities.

Background: 
The interest in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools by judicial operators is growing, and their access to generative AI tools has increased in recent years. More recently, judges, prosecutors and lawyers around the globe have started to use chatbots powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) to draft legal documents, legal briefings and elaborate arguments in court hearings. However, formal guidance on adequately using these tools for individuals or organizations in the justice sector is scarce.  
Only a few countries around the World have issued policies, rules or guidelines on how judicial operators could adopt and use these tools ethically and responsibly. These tools can help judges, prosecutors, lawyers, civil servants in legal administration, and researchers improve the quality of their work by facilitating the search for information, automating tasks, and supporting decision-making processes. Although AI tools can support the core objectives of the justice sector, the negligent use of AI systems by judicial operators may also undermine human rights, such as fair trial and due process, access to justice and effective remedy, privacy and data protection, equality before the law, and non-discrimination, as well as judicial values such as impartiality and accountability.  
Objective: 
The session will address SDG 16, which seeks to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.”  
In particular, the project will address  


SDG 16.3: Promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensuring equal access to justice for all 




SDG 16.B: Promoting and enforcing non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. The launch of the guidelines will inform judicial operators worldwide on the human rights concerns that they must keep in mind while using AI systems. 


Session Overview: 
UNESCO will be launching its draft Guidelines for the Use of AI by Judicial Operators at the session. These guidelines have been developed based on a survey of over 500 judicial operators from 96 countries concerning their use of Generative AI. 
Experts will then gather in a roundtable format for a panel discussion.  
This session will discuss:  


Challenges and opportunities for the use of AI in the Judiciary  




Human rights implications of AI that the judiciary must be prepared to address. 




Strategies, tools, and good practices with respect to judicial training related to AI.  

 
In 2024, UN Women and the Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality published their groundbreaking position paper, "Placing Gender Equality at the Heart of the Global Digital Compact: Taking forward the recommendations of the sixty seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women". The paper underscores the urgent need to address systemic inequalities and create an inclusive digital landscape as part of the United Nations’ organization of the Summit the Future.
 
As the global community prepares for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30) in 2025, it is critical to highlight the vital intersection between the WSIS outcomes, the Global Digital Compact (GDC), and the Beijing+30 agenda. By bridging these frameworks, we can ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the heart of digital transformation and global governance.
 
The Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality calls for the WSIS review, the implementation of the GDC, and the Beijing+30 agenda to align around a shared commitment to gender equality in digital transformation. The WSIS+20 review presents an opportunity to recognize that achieving digital inclusion for all women and girls is not only an issue of justice but also a prerequisite for sustainable development. A future-oriented WSIS must recognize that women and girls are not only beneficiaries but also leaders in shaping the digital future.
 
Description of the Session
 
This session will be the opportunity to drive and spark a conversation on how multi-stakeholder platforms can help shape a more equitable digital transformation and provide concrete recommendations for advocacy and action.
 
The session is designed to be a thought leadership and knowledge exchange session, the format will allow for participants to share their collective work and vision around guiding questions to help shape a joint action agenda.

I.     BACKGROUND

     Information and communications technologies (ICT) -- including the Internet, social media platforms, other online spaces[1], and related emerging technologies[2] -- while mostly used for beneficial purposes, have also become tools of choice for terrorists such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh), Al-Qaida, their affiliated groups and supporters, and other designated terrorist organizations. These actors are known to exploit ICT to engage in a wide range of activities for terrorist purposes, including recruitment and incitement to commit terrorist acts, training, planning, networking, securing logistical support, acquiring weapons and their components, fundraising, and the conduct of terrorist operations.

     Exponential leaps in the development of new and emerging ICT raise new risks for how terrorists could exploit such technologies to advance their ability to operate and avoid detection.  Terrorist actors are already exploiting generative AI, chatbots, decentralized online spaces, cloud-based archives, and a range of other technological tools to reach their audiences and attract new supporters, incite violence, augment reconnaissance and targeting, and avoid detection.  While the threat of their misuse for terrorist purposes is apparent, these technologies also have immense potential to be used for social and economic development, as well to be used by States to increase the effectiveness of their counter-terrorism efforts.

     The United Nations Security Council has its focused attention on countering the exploitation of ICT for terrorist purposes for over 23 years, adopting 16 counter-terrorism related resolutions and five policy documents on the matter.[3] In resolution 2617 (2021), the Council specifically referenced “[the] Internet, other information and communications technology (ICTs), and other emerging technologies for terrorist purposes”. In the Delhi Declaration adopted by the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee in October 2022, the Committee gave focus to the need for Member States “to prevent and counter the use of new ICT and other emerging technologies for terrorist purposes”. The Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), through its Executive Directorate (CTED), works with United Nations Member States, Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, and other key regional, civil society, and tech sector partners to strengthen States’ implementation of these and other counter-terrorism resolutions through the conduct of assessments, the identification of emerging trends, and the facilitation of targeted knowledge and capacity building.

     The Security Council has repeatedly called on Member States to ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, including international human rights law. This is particularly relevant to the use of ICT and emerging technologies in terrorism prevention and law enforcement efforts for which unintended consequences and potential human rights implications often evolve in tandem with technological adaptations. The mainstreaming of gender perspectives across all aspects of terrorism prevention and counter-terrorism programmes, particularly those to counter the use of ICT and related new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, has become increasingly important.

     A cooperative approach in partnership with the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders is stressed in Security Council resolutions 2322 (2016), 2370 (2017), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), and 2617 (2021), as well as in the Delhi Declaration. Coordination and cooperation, including the sharing of information, are essential for States to effectively counter-terrorism.  The involvement of a broad range of stakeholders (including United Nations entities, international and regional organizations, civil society organizations, academia, and private sector technology partners) can help to ensure that measures and policies developed to prevent and counter the use of ICT and emerging technologies for terrorist purpose are crafted in a comprehensive and holistic manner reflecting whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches.[4],  Collaboration through such partnerships can additionally help States mitigate risks, reduce potential negative impacts, and avoid restrictive responses based on potential risks that could be unnecessary and disproportionate to the advantages brought by these technologies.

II.     OBJECTIVE

     Panelists will present the work of their organizations on countering the use of ICT and related emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.  They will highlight how this work is both an essential component of a multi-stakeholder digital environment and necessary for maintaining peace and encouraging good relations between States, including in the pursuit of technological advances and societal development. Panelists will further address the importance of inclusiveness (all-of-society approach), compliance with international human rights, and the strengthening of partnerships between diverse stakeholders in the design and implementation of State counter-terrorism efforts related to, and reliant upon, ICT and emerging technologies.



[1] ICT and related online spaces can include, inter alia, messaging tools and chat bots, video games and gaming-adjacent platforms and chatrooms; video and audio live-streams and podcasts; the darknet and dark web; online marketplaces; Web 3.0, Web 4.0, the Fediverse and various other decentralized online spaces; Metaverse-type spaces and applications; terrorist operated websites (TOWs) and web-based publications, blogs and electronic books; also digital archives and other digital spaces.

[2] Such as, for example, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning systems and tools including large-language, generative, and fusion models; augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) systems and applications; special computing systems; quantum computing applications; blockchain-supported applications and platforms; cloud-based platforms; voice, gate, and other biometrics cloning technologies; advanced robotics; cyber-threat software (malware); and other nascent cyber technologies.

[3] These include resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 1963 (2010), 2129 (2013), 2178 (2014), 2199 (2015), 2322 (2016), 2331 (2016), 2341 (2017), 2354 (2017), 2370 (2017), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2617 (2021), and 2713 (2023); also the Madrid Guiding Principles (S/2015/939), Statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/2016/6), Comprehensive International Framework to Counter Terrorist Narratives (S/2017/375), Addendum to the [Madrid] Guiding Principles on foreign terrorist fighters (2018) (S/2018/1177), and the Delhi Declaration (2022).

[4] Resolutions 2322 (2016), 2370 (2017), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), and 2617 (2021) stress the importance of cooperation with civil society and the private sector.  Resolutions 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), and 2617 (2021) specifically recognize Tech Against Terrorism and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT); resolution 2617 (2021) additionally notes the Christchurch Call.

Description:
Concern for environmental preservation is shared by different stakeholders of the society, and the Internet is no exception. Keeping the Internet running requires a series of equipment, technologies, and infrastructures that mostly depend on electricity. Often, this energy comes from non-renewable sources, contributing to negative environmental impacts. In a globalized world like today's, access to the Internet is crucial, many human activities are carried out through it. Unfortunately, a portion of humanity still does not have access to all the benefits provided by the Internet. Therefore, it is necessary to expand Internet infrastructure to accommodate these new users. However, the increase in internet connectivity will demand more electricity, inevitably resulting in greater pollutant emissions as its expansion continues. With this in mind, there is a growing emphasis on the concept of green networking, which involves designing, implementing, and operating computer and telecommunications networks in a way that minimizes environmental harm while seeking more efficient use of resources in network infrastructures. The Internet is built through collaboration across various stakeholders (governments, academia, technology companies, internet service providers, among others). In each of these stakeholders, there are challenges and opportunities for improvement in terms of more efficient resource use. For example: the use of renewable energy sources to power a data center, the utilization of more efficient components in the manufacturing of network assets, or even the development of network protocols that use equipment resources more efficiently. Thus, there arises the need for a joint effort by all actors involved in building the Internet to discuss which practices, solutions, and innovations can be adopted with the aim of ensuring greater energy efficiency, more sustainable resource management, all without compromising crucial aspects of the Internet such as security, performance, and infrastructure expansion.

Description:
In the European Union, laws and regulations concerning the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are have been finalised. This milestone marks a significant point in history. The AI Act, the primary legislation in question, introduces regulations for AI applications. However, it does so through a risk-based approach. This approach has implications beyond the EU's borders as the AI Act applies to any organization utilizing AI products within the EU. Given the widespread presence of non-European AI suppliers in the EU market, these entities must also comply with the AI Act based on their product's risk level. Consequently, affected organizations must establish an AI governance framework to meet these legal obligations. The AI Act delineates between various roles in meeting its requirements, including users and providers of AI systems. However, its impact extends to other stakeholders such as civil society, regulators, auditors, and lawmakers outside the EU. The complexity of the law stems from its risk-based approach and the diverse roles it addresses, posing challenges in implementation, enforcement, and evaluating effectiveness. This complexity is anticipated to have a significant global impact on organizations, potentially establishing a new standard for AI governance worldwide. The objective of the session is to discuss with participants the necessary steps to: • Develop a standardized AI governance framework to mitigate AI-related risks for organizations. • Foster global adoption by promoting interoperability among regulatory regimes worldwide. • Ensure the legislation remains adaptable to future advancements in AI technology. Participants will include lawmakers, AI developers, civil society organizations, and auditors, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of the topic.

Full title of the session: "Risk and impact assessment of AI systems on human rights, democracy and the rule of law" The Session will bring together various stakeholders having participated in the elaboration of the Council of Europe methodology for the Risk and Impact Assessment of AI Systems on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law (HUDERIA). The HUDERIA is a non-binding instrument supporting the implementation of the Council of Europe Framework on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. It is intended to guide relevant stakeholders in establishing the procedures and mechanisms needed to identify such contexts and roles in which artificial intelligence systems, or combined technologies based on such systems, are likely to pose significant levels of risk to the enjoyment of human rights, the functioning of democracy and the observance of the rule of law, and help them manage the related risks. The HUDERIA is intended for voluntary use and freely available to all. It aims to foster trust in AI technologies and promote AI innovation while mitigating risk. It will be divided into two parts: - A short discussion between the panelists on the HUDERIA, the methodology for its preparation and the challenges associated with creating a one-of-a-kind, balanced technical standard addressing the risks posed by AI systems to human rights without stifling innovation. - A social gathering aiming to bring together actors interested in the development of technical standards and risks assessments for digital technology with a particular focus on their impacts on human rights in an informal, convivial setting, and to foster connections between relevant stakeholders. The session will be moderated by Mr David LESLIE, who was the consultant assisting the Committee on Artificial Intelligence in elaborating the HUDERIA.
The session will be divided into two parts: - A short discussion between the panelists organized by a moderator who will subsequently invite the online audience to ask them questions, including in the chat. - A social gathering in the room aiming to bring together all participants in an informal, convivial setting, and to foster new connections to develop their network. The session will be promoted on Council of Europe communication channels, as well as within the CAI community in order to broaden participation.

The inclusion of diverse voices in digital policy is essential for addressing both current and future challenges in internet governance. This session highlights the perspective of young voices in internet governance and how structured initiatives can create accessible platforms for diverse voices to shape digital policy and governance frameworks.
Two participants of a fellowship program on international digital policy and a BMDV representative will share their insights. The fellows will present practical experiences and examples on multi-stakeholder consultations and their engagement in these. Their focus will be on processes on AI regulation, responsible technology, and their experiences in policy debates. The BMDV representative will provide the policymaker’s perspective, emphasizing how multistakeholder in initiatives like the International Digital Dialogues strengthens governance outcomes and builds trustful partnerships.
The session will explore how fostering diverse participation in multi-stakeholder processes enriches digital policy through innovative ideas and diverse perspectives. Drawing from experiences with the Responsible Tech Hub, the Mercator Fellowship, and the International Digital Dialogues, the speakers will showcase actionable strategies for amplifying diverse voices in global digital governance.