Description: This workshop aims to facilitate a strategic dialogue among key stakeholders to assess and optimize the alignment of internet-based technologies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ITU's Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development initiative. The primary objective of this workshop is to create a collaborative environment that fosters meaningful discussions among key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. It aims to bring together government representatives, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and academia to assess the alignment between internet-based technologies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ITU's Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development initiative, and other Multistakeholder processes and how the IGF can contribute to it. The focus will be on specific targets directly related to peace, social and economic development, and environmental sustainability. Participants will engage in thought-provoking discussions and explore innovative solutions to address challenges and harness opportunities at the intersection of technology and sustainable development.
The rapid evolution of technology has ushered in a new era of global connectivity. With over 5 billion people online, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed societies, economies, and governance. In this digital landscape, the intersection of code and constitution plays a pivotal role in shaping inclusive policies. Our networking session aims to foster dialogue among African Parliamentarians, multistakeholder participants, and policy experts. Together, we'll explore the critical role of parliamentarians in developing a robust digital framework for Africa. Our focus will be on bridging the gap between legislative code and constitutional principles. Dissecting our theme under the context of the below 3 pillars : 1. Code as Legislation: Foundation of Digital Services: Code design is no longer confined to technical realms; it has become the bedrock of digital services. Legislation informed by code shapes how citizens interact with technology, data, and each other. Data-Driven Acts:Notable examples include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. We'll delve into how data-driven legislation impacts privacy, security, and innovation. 2. Collaboration and Multistakeholder Engagement: Parliamentarians' Role:Our session recognizes the agency of parliamentarians. They are not merely recipients of technology policies; they actively shape them. We'll discuss how collaboration across sectors can lead to effective digital legislation. Policy Makers and Technologists:By fostering collaboration between parliamentarians and policy experts, we can bridge the gap between legal frameworks and technological advancements. 3. Africa's Unique Challenges and Opportunities: Geopolitical Fabrication: Africa's diverse nations face unique challenges in shaping interconnectivity. We'll explore how geopolitical factors influence digital policies. Inclusive Policies: Africa's growth trajectory demands policies that empower all citizens. Our session will highlight successful approaches and identify gaps in digital legislation. Our session shall involve an interactive slide deck to boost engagement on site and online, inclusive of summarized facts and figures, case study and an implemented knowledge gap test with online Q&A features, A present Jam board of linking online ideas and an open doc of compiling ideas as we network and share resources with Parliamentarians
In our increasingly data-driven economies and societies, leveraging data as a strategic resource is pivotal. With processes of datafication introducing vast new opportunities to benefit from the global economy, local and regional digital economies face a growing need for regulatory mechanisms and harmonized data policies. In response to these challenges and opportunities, the African Union (AU) adopted its Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) and continental Data Policy Framework (DPF), which respectively strive to harness the potential of data for development in Africa while containing subsequent risks. The DPF aims at creating a common data space and a uniform data governance mechanism to enable African countries to make advantage of data as a strategic asset to boost the development of sustainable and inclusive digital / data driven economy and society. The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is supporting the AU with the implementation of the AU DPF, helping develop national data strategies, data protection legislation, and providing capacity building on data governance to national regulators in at least 10 member states. These data strategies must consider the specific perspectives, needs, and contributions of African women and marginalised communities across the continent. Persistent gender digital divides and gender data gaps continue to pose a significant barrier, limiting African women’s effective engagement in the digital economy. Without intentional action, the shift towards data-driven economies may perpetuate, rather than resolve, gender disparities. This session aims to address these issues by exploring gendered approaches that recognise and meet the unique needs of women, girls, and marginalised communities within digital and data environments. It emphasizes the necessity of applying a gender lens to the implementation of the AU DPF and the development of data policies in African countries. Only by adopting a gendered perspective from the outset of policy making can we ensure women and marginalised communities are not overlooked. Our interactive, multistakeholder session will convene leaders from government, industry, civil society, academia, and international development to explore effective strategies for advancing gender-inclusive policy making. Looking at concrete member states examples and implementation guardrails, these discussions will focus on harnessing the potential of datafication and digitalisation for gender mainstreaming and transformation across Africa. To ensure a balanced participation between those attending in-person and those joining remotely, moderators will be instructed before the session to provide sufficient space for virtual attendees. They will allow remote participants to comment and ask questions before those present in the room, who naturally have an advantage. Panelists will be both online and onsite to foster a truly hybrid environment. The online moderator will actively use the chat function to engage with participants. Additionally, at the start of the session, all participants will be reminded to respect others' viewpoints and to follow the IGF’s code of conduct.
Description: The convergence of cyber and national security forms a complex Venn diagram, blurred by the rapid evolution of the internet. Over the past three decades, from the advent of the TCP/IP protocol to the present day, various cyber threats have emerged. These range from deadly computer viruses to modern state-sanctioned surveillance spyware like the notorious Log4j vulnerability. As our world digitizes, the security of the internet becomes inseparable from national security. Yet, many stakeholders remain unaware of their roles within this intricate security ecosystem, leading to misaligned priorities in safeguarding cyber resources, data, and people. Our workshop aims to dissect existing gaps between cybersecurity practices, policies, and insights related to national security agendas. By examining case studies and frameworks, we will map the intersections where cybersecurity implications meet national security imperatives. Taking India and Nigeria as case studies—both known for their cybercrime challenges—we'll explore how vulnerable, tech-savvy youth manipulate resources for illicit purposes. Rampant spyware, online fraud, phishing, surveillance, and cyber warfare pose significant national security threats. Each stakeholder group plays a crucial role in shaping the hierarchy and addressing gaps that contribute to cybercrimes. Strengthening cybersecurity legislation becomes a priority within the broader context of national security. Best practices will guide our exploration, including: Open Source Decentralization:Leveraging decentralized digital resources. Hardware Security by Design, Implementing protocols and standards. Policy Enhancements by Improving cyber resilience, agility Our multistakeholder inspired approach aims to empower secure, open institutions. Participants will gain insights into the symbiotic relationship between a safe cyber ecosystem and prioritized national security agendas. the global south rises in prominence, inclusivity becomes paramount. Our workshop will navigate the agency of strong cyber policies and emphasize the need for security-by-design cyber infrastructure. Decentralized national security policies, driven by user needs, will play a pivotal role in shaping a safer digital world
Description: In the rapidly evolving digital age, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) abuse poses unprecedented challenges and risks, particularly concerning gender-based violence. This workshop, titled "Bridging Gaps: AI & Ethics in Combating NCII Abuse," aims to dissect and address the intricacies of AI-facilitated NCII abuse, including deepfake technology's role in exacerbating gender-based online harassment. Drawing on pivotal research, including the Revenge Porn Helpline’s 2022 report and insights into the state of deepfakes, the session will explore innovative solutions and strategies to mitigate risks and safeguard individuals against digital gender-based violence. Highlighting initiatives like StopNCII.org and TakeItDown.ncmec.org, the workshop will convene world-leading experts from diverse fields—policy, industry, and NGOs—to offer a multidimensional perspective on combating NCII abuse. Through panel discussions followed by interactive group feedback, the session is designed to showcase concrete impacts and foster collaborative action, aligning with the 2023 roadmap of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse.
Description: The workshop aims to reignite the Internet's spirit of openness and community-driven innovation, highlighting the voices of youth in the global digital governance landscape. It will provide a platform for young people to discuss the goals and principles of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), focusing on digital accessibility, data privacy, the digital divide, and other critical issues presented in the final version of the GDC, set to be released in September 2024. Young professionals from various stakeholder groups and continents will explore how youth can promote key issues and challenges within Internet governance, with the reflexivity in their diverse and multi stakeholder backgrounds. Emphasizing diverse social, cultural, and economic contexts, the discussion will allow young people to engage with one another, share experiences, and learn from different approaches to digital challenges across regions. Another central focus of the session will be the novel concept of data cooperatives, which update cooperative principles for the digital age by promoting democratic governance and inclusive participation. The session will serve as a platform to lay the groundwork for establishing youth-initiated data cooperatives as entities, where young individuals collectively control and benefit from shared data resources. This will highlight youth initiatives, such as the 50-year Internet celebrations, including insights from the Internet 50 Youth (i50y) event and from discussions at the Science Summit during the UNGA. Speakers will address key questions such as who needs to be part of this conversation, what values are being pursued, and what ethics and best practices should guide future data cooperatives. The workshop aims to pave the way for starting with a simple digital cooperative that embodies the values of traditional social cooperatives, entailing the collective management of an Internet platform by multiple organizations, serving as a foundational step before advancing to data collection and management.
Description: Network Operator Groups (NOGs) play a crucial role in driving local Internet development and fostering connectivity within communities worldwide. Often supported by the six Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), NOGs serve as essential platforms for innovation, collaboration and knowledge exchange. In APNIC region alone, there are currently 25 active NOGs, with recent addition of Afghanistan NOG (APNIC), while the RIPE NCC region has 36 NOGs, AFRINIC region 12 NOGs, LACNIC region 5 NOGs and ARIN region 6 NOGs (RIPE Labs), Beyond facilitating technical discussions, NOGs play a crucial role in sustaining infrastructure and driving collaboration across diverse Internet communities. Bringing together NOG leaders from across the world, this diverse session will discuss their roles, challenges, and opportunities. Exploring how NOGs are evolving into the change agents, the session will exchange practices, highlight collaborative avenues, and learn from diverse NOGs. In addition, the session will showcase successful NOGs to inspire technical communities to leverage their collective expertise for digital transformation across the developing economies. The session is expected to highlight the following discussions and insights: - Explore how NOGs foster community engagement and address local challenges. - Highlight NOG events as platforms for knowledge exchange and propose improvements. - Recognize the need for innovative engagement strategies for participants. - Explore variations in NOG size, structure, and operational dynamics and propose recommendations. - Identify barriers to attendance and propose strategies for improvement. The target audience of the session includes NOG leaders, network operators, technical experts, policy makers, industry players, and researchers and academics. The session will create a cross regional ongoing dialogue among the NOG leadership where stakeholders are expected to support and enrich the NOG ecosystem. This through active participation, contribution, and community engagement to empower NOGs to realize their full potential as catalysts for change in the digital landscape.
Description: Global internet governance is at a turning point. WSIS+20 events in 2025 will provide an opportunity for reform as well as reflection; it is still uncertain whether the Global Digital Compact (GDC), to be agreed on during a Summit of the Future in September, will create additional fora for internet governance topics; the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) will conclude in 2025, with the content of a subsequent Programme of Action (POA) and potential additional modalities still under discussion; added to uncertainty around the conclusion of the Ad Hoc Committee on cybercrime. This workshop, held under IGF sub-theme 4, “Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want”, will address the rapidly increasing range of institutions, sites, and modes of Internet governance. Its central purpose is to examine what some have called a “paradox of inclusion”, where the sheer range of initiatives overwhelms the ability of low-resourced actors, such as developing countries and civil society, to meaningfully contribute. After an overview of the likely trajectory of internet governance in 2025-2026, the workshop will focus on areas of overlap and potential duplication, including challenges to the authority and constitution of technical internet governance bodies, as well as normative disagreements present across the more policy-oriented fora above. The workshop will also examine potential gaps in the emerging internet governance landscape, such as global digital inequality along gender and other intersectional lines and material resource scarcities. This workshop will adopt innovative methods to crowd-source views from participants, as well as immediate self-reflection to identify potential biases. The concrete result of this workshop will be a publicly available map of internet governance institutions as a shared resource for the Internet governance community. This map will include institution mandates, main backers, and key areas of potential challenge, contestation, and duplication.
As immersive and Web 3 technologies propel us into the future internet, we must ask what is needed to ensure safe, trustworthy and interoperable internet ecosystems that serve a diverse global community of users and developers. The World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s Division on Governance and Trust will explore the governance principles for the development of responsible deployment of immersive technologies, coupled with digital safety principles that promote human rights and ethical policy decisions in the next phase of the internet. 1. An online moderator will be present to ensure online attendees may fully participate and have their opinions be included in the discussion. An onsite organizer will act as rapporteur to fully integrate the views of both online and onsite attendees. The organizer and moderators will all be tasked with monitoring the live zoom chat to address any questions from online attendees. 2.The session will be well structured to receive interventions from online and onsite attendees in an alternating manner to allow for equitable representation from both groups. 3. PowerPoint and screen sharing will be used so both online and onsite attendees have access to the same materials while the session is ongoing as well as to ensure experiential parity in information shared.
Description: The Internet has allowed the production and archiving of a plurality of contents and narratives online by individuals, including historically under-represented populations. The storage and linking capacities of the Internet play an important role in the preservation and organization of cultural heritage. Professional historians, archivists, museum curators and other traditional stewards of public memory face a new set of challenges to rethink their role in a changed “archiving ecosystem”. Internet has greatly impacted how memories are created, stored, accessed and shared. More recently, large proprietary digital platforms began to play an increasingly relevant role in defining what is to be seen, remembered and forgotten, given that billions of people and organizations produce and post content through their applications. They became an important stakeholder to the collective memory preservation, stablishing a new layer of complexity to the issue. Their private policies of content storage, moderation, distribution and amplification are not necessarily aligned with the public interest in the preservation of collective memory, given their commercial nature. Memories are mobilized by archives represented by images, symbols, values and codes which encapsulate common ideas that become part of an inter subjective symbolic system and can be corroborated, corrected, disputed. Moreover, the increasing role of digital platforms in preserving public memory has been associated to traditional challenges of Internet Governance, such as preserving the integrity of information, countering disinformation, protecting the right to information, promoting under-represented cultural heritage, preserving multilingualism and other issues. The workshop aims at bringing together multiple stakeholders to discuss the challenges and initiatives for the preservation of public memory online and also its relevance to the Internet Governance debate.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, Digital Health has emerged as a transformative force, empowering individuals to take charge of their own health and wellness through selfcare practices. This session explores the intersection of Digital Health and selfcare, examining how technological innovations are reshaping the dynamics of patient engagement and healthcare delivery. Specifically, we will delve into the question of to what extent Digital Health can replace traditional healthcare providers in primary care setting by leveraging AI Chatbots given that we have an acute shortage of family physicians. By analyzing various levels of intervention, from basic health monitoring to advanced diagnostic tools and telemedicine platforms, we aim to elucidate the potential roles, risks, and limitations of Digital Health in augmenting or substituting the role of doctors at primary care especially in the low and middle-income countries where doctors are unwilling to go in remote areas. Can we think loud about replacing doctors for primary care and prevention and is it feasible? 1) We will facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees through a combination of live streaming, virtual Q&A sessions, and interactive polling. Attendees both onsite and online will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with speakers in real-time, ensuring an inclusive and dynamic experience for all participants. 2) To ensure the best possible experience for both online and onsite participants, we will design the session with a focus on seamless integration and equal engagement opportunities. This includes utilizing high-quality audiovisual equipment for clear presentations and live streaming, allocating dedicated time for online audience participation. 3) Complementary online tools and platforms will be utilized to increase participation and interaction during the session. This may include virtual event platforms with built-in chat features, interactive polling tools for real-time audience engagement, and live streaming capabilities for remote attendees.
Digital Innovation and Transformation in the UN System. • The importance of digital transformation has been widely recognized by UN entities, and many have ambitious digital strategies in place. • In his vision for a UN 2.0, the UN Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of harnessing digital technology for a future-proof UN system. • Yet, digital innovation and transformation in the UN system brings a range of unique challenges, such as organizational inertia, short-term planning and funding horizons, decentralized and fragmented initiatives leading to lack of scale, as well as lack of digital talent. • In this context, this proposed UN-IGF session aims to discuss the key challenges and spotlight successful approaches - and the learnings - for the wider UN system. • The session thus aims to inspire more digital innovation and transformation in the UN and highlight opportunities for synergies and best practices. The session will be structured on the basis of four presentations, as follows: 1. UNHCR’s Digital Strategy calls for greater digital inclusion for the forcibly displaced and stateless. With this inclusion comes great opportunity to learn, find work and connect with loved ones. However, increased inclusion brings new risks and threats. This may include increased risk of fraud, division of communities through online hate speech, mis and dis information and the risk from the use of emerging technologies in humanitarian settings. These risks are being impacted by the rapid growth in Artificial Intelligence and other technologies. This presentation will focus on how we can address and balance these risks. 2. UNICEF “Digital resilience for impact for children”: In this presentation, UNICEF will showcase how the organization considers digital resilience in its digital programming. Digital resilience includes data protection, information security and responsible use of data for children. With increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, as well as rapid advancements in digital innovation, maintaining digital resilience is key to ensure that digital solutions supported or used by UNICEF truly benefit children. The presentation will be led by Fui Meng Liew, Chief of the UNICEF’s global Digital Centre of Excellence. 3. UNJSPF: "The adoption of innovative technologies in support of e-Government for the aging population": UNJSPF implemented an innovative solution for supporting the "digital identity" and periodic "proof-of-life" process of the 84,000 UN retirees and beneficiaries residing in more than 192 countries. The UNJSPF solution created a state-of-the-art solution by leveraging blockchain, biometrics/facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and global positioning technologies. This presentation will articulate the UNJSPF lessons learned and best practices for ensuring a secure, efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative to the traditional paper-based identity, authentication, and proof-of-life methods. 4. UNICC has over 50 years of experience as the largest strategic partner for digital solutions and cybersecurity within the United Nations system. UNICC designs and deploys transformational digital tools and programmes to support over 90 Clients and Partner Organizations in fulfilling their mandates. UNICC is committed to delivering innovative, forward-looking and reliable system-wide solutions in line with the UN Secretary-General’s Strategy on New Technologies, the UN Secretary-General's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and the Common Agenda. With our world-class Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, data and analytics practice and an array of platform, software and infrastructure solutions, UNICC serves the entire of the UN family and other international organizations with similar missions and values for the benefit of the world.
The session will offer participants in situ and viewers worldwide a vivid example of advocacy for human rights, a practical show of diversity of approaches and a platform for dialogue. Organisers will present examples of hands-on application of European standards for promoting human right from several complementary angles: promoting gender equality, fighting online hate speech and sexual violence against children, combating discrimination of minority groups, and assessing the potential role of AI in relation to these phenomena. The European approach on these issues is expected to be complemented by presentations from other cultural regions offering a platform of dialogue and mutual understanding. The session will commence with a short introduction to the Council of Europe standards and how the organisation works with member states and other key stakeholders to implement them, showing some concrete tools and examples. The introduction will continue with a 40 minute discussion with all participants to explore other examples of tools and practices that seek to enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation to uphold human rights online. During the session short Menti-meter questions will seek motivate and guide the involve of in-person and online participant. The online moderator will facilitate the online chat session and raise comments in the in-situ meeting or invite online participants to take the floor if technically feasible.
In recent years, confronted with the dual challenges of economic and social development and carbon reduction, major nations and regions are increasingly focusing on the coordinated transformation of digital and green development as the core drivers of sustainable economic and social development. This forum, grounded in an international perspective, delves into government-level international cooperation to explore the latest trends, major challenges, and future opportunities for accelerating the coordinated transformation of digital and green development. The forum aims to address the following issues: 1. With the acceleration of global digitalization, particularly the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies and the emergence of generative AI, how can or should countries promote the green and low-carbon development of the digital industry? 2. How can emerging technologies such as the internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G enable the green transformation of traditional industries? 3. The real demands for pollution reduction, clean production, and recycling arising from the green transformation of traditional industries provide diverse scenarios and application spaces for digital technologies. How can the green transformation of traditional industries better drive the development of the digital industry? 4. Is there a need for an international cooperation mechanism to facilitate the coordinated transformation of digital and green development, and if so, what should it look like? Where are the gaps and opportunities for international cooperation in this area? The forum will invite government officials and scholars to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by the coordinated transformation of digital and green development, the green and low-carbon development of the digital industry, the empowerment of green transformation through digital technologies, and intergovernmental cooperation on these issues. By promoting transnational and interdisciplinary exchanges, the forum is committed to encouraging collective contemplation on pathways and models for driving the transformation and upgrading of energy resources, industrial structures, and consumption patterns through the coordinated transformation of digital and green development, ultimately fostering green economic and social development. 1. To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we will: • Encourage online attendees to submit questions via chat ahead of time that can be posed to onsite speakers during the Q&A session. We will release the background guide two weeks before the forum. • Monitor the online chat during presentations and share relevant questions or comments with onsite speakers and attendees to enable real-time feedback and discussion. • Set aside time at the end of the session for an open Q&A where online participants can engage directly via audio or video. Onsite attendees can also ask follow up questions to online participants. 2. To ensure the best experience for all participants, we will: • Choose an interactive online platform that allows speakers and attendees to easily share video, audio, slides, and chat. Options like Zoom, Google Meet and Tencent meeting would work well. • Frame the overall structure and flow of the session to seamlessly integrate both onsite and online elements. Onsite presentations should be streamed for online viewers and time should be reserved for online Q&A and discussion. • Provide clear guidance on participation and technology usage to all attendees ahead of time. Troubleshoot any technical issues behind the scenes to avoid disruption. • Include interactive online elements like live polling, Q&A, breakout discussions to complement onsite activities. This keeps all attendees engaged. 3. We plan to use the following tools and platforms to increase participation: • An online video conferencing tool (as mentioned above) to connect onsite and online attendees. • Audience response tools like Mentimeter, Poll Everywhere, or Slido to gauge attendee opinions in real-time. • Online collaboration platforms such as Google Docs or Padlet where attendees can share comments and ask questions. • Social media like Twitter and Weibo for attendees to continue the conversation online using an event hashtag. • Post-event online surveys to collect feedback and insights from all attendees to improve future events. In summary, facilitating seamless interaction between onsite and online participants requires choosing an effective technology platform, careful planning and management before and during the event, providing strong guidance to participants, and incorporating complementary online tools to increase engagement. Striking a good balance between the onsite and online experience will lead to a successful hybrid event.
Description: The development and dissemination of AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), are increasingly dominated by major tech companies, raising critical issues around access, control, and equity. While proprietary models accelerate innovation and economic gain for some, they risk consolidating power and limiting technological diversity. Open-sourcing LLMs offers a pathway to democratise AI, potentially reducing costs and fostering inclusive innovation by enabling more stakeholders to participate in AI development and application. This roundtable will explore the strategic, economic, and social implications of open-sourcing LLMs, including the potential to counteract monopolistic controls and encourage a broader distribution of technological and economic benefits. The discussion will be centred around the state of open source AI particularly LLMs and their potential to match the proprietary models.
When we consider future challenges, new national cybersecurity policies in various countries have started addressing IoT security more directly:
European Union: The EU has introduced the Cyber Resilience Act, which imposes mandatory cybersecurity requirements for digital products, including IoT devices, covering their entire lifecycle from design to disposal. This act aims to standardize IoT security across the EU and ensure that manufacturers comply with stringent cybersecurity standards. United States: The US continues to advance its IoT security framework under various initiatives, including expanding IoT security labeling programs to help consumers understand and compare the cybersecurity protections of different IoT devices. This is part of broader efforts to enhance national IoT security as part of the country's cybersecurity strategy. Global Perspective: Various countries are adopting or updating their cybersecurity frameworks to address IoT security explicitly. For example, the NIS2 Directive in the EU, which will be fully transposed into national law by October 2024, expands the scope of cybersecurity rules to cover more sectors, including those that heavily rely on IoT systems.
These developments highlight the global movement towards more robust IoT security, with new regulations and policies being implemented to address the growing risks associated with the proliferation of connected devices. The Security issues strongly relate to the data management issues related to confidentiality and privacy, and all this needs to take into account the challenges and opportunities offered by emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum computing. Agenda: Introduction and Common Ground (5 mins) Speakers: Wout de Natris (DC IS3C) and Maarten Botterman (DC IoT) Panel 1: Current IoT Security developments Mini Panel (10 + 5' Open Floor) Speaker 1 – Renee Roland (FCC) on the USA initiative towards secure IoT with a focus on labelling and certification to empower users to make smarter choices. – and the need to work towards international mutual recognition of standards Speaker 2: Nicolas Fiumarelli (Chair, IS3C WG1) on the results of a global comparison of IoT Security related policies, regulations ad standards. Panel 2: IoT Data Governance and Privacy (10 + 5' Open Floor) Speaker 1: Jonathan Cave (Alan Turing Institute, Warwick University, DC IoT) addressing the data governance issues that relate to IoT – acknowledging that many live data related to persons are collected, and through analysis may be relatable to people. Speaker 2: Nicolas Fiumarelli (Chair, IS3C WG1) on the results of a global comparison on IoT data privacy related policies and regulations. Panel 3: IoT Governance and Emerging Technologies: Quantum & AI - Mini Panel (10 + 5' Open Floor) Speaker 1: Elif Kiesow Cortez (Chair, IS3C WG3) explaining the need to ensure Quantum Proof Encryption (QPC) in IoT environments forfuture-proofing against emerging threats relating to relating to IoT devices and IoT ecosystems. Speaker 2: Maarten Botterman (Chair, Global Forum of Cyber Expertise WG E on Emerging Technologies, DC IoT) highlighting the importance of awareness and capacity building with regards to ensure continued justified trust in the use of IoT environments in towards the future. Preliminary conclusions and next steps (5 mins) All participants are invited to share their input and comments via email after the session, as preparations for IGF2025 require rapid follow up to the results of this meeting.
This workshop focuses on how public-private partnerships and private sector collaborations provide digital infrastructure and services, exploring frameworks, challenges, strategies, and case studies to enhance effective collaboration; the workshop objectives are to: -Emphasize the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors -Highlight the role of partnership models in connecting underserved communities and discuss best practices and propose ideas to enhance digital infrastructure development -Analyze the challenges and opportunities in PPP projects -Explore innovative funding mechanisms for digital infrastructure projects
Thursday December 19, 2024 11:15 - 12:45 GMT+03
Conference Room
Some of the biggest challenges facing the world include the need to improve environmental and socio-economic sustainability and equity globally, nationally, and locally. Harnessing the transformative potential of digital technologies and the Internet is a key enabler of our drive for sustainable development and in addressing pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges in our cities, towns, and communities. Our cities, towns and communities are essentially a collection of human, social, economic, and cultural networks and are settings in which a sense of belonging and togetherness can be fostered and in which the public processes that support social cohesiveness and development can be optimized and made more efficient and effective. Towards this end, increased attention should be given to assessing the online presence of local government in cities. A logical starting point is assessing the role of cities as service providers and examining city portals as the key mechanism for e-government in such contexts. The Local Online Service Index (LOSI), a multi-criteria index that captures e-government development at the local level, by assessing information and services provided by local governments through official websites, has been designed by UNU-EGOV and UNDESA. The burgeoning interest in e-government development, combined with the growing number of requests for inclusion and representation in the local e-government survey, led the study organizers to establish the LOSI Network. The Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), have established LOSI Network. LOSI Network includes national representative entities that are willing to apply LOSI instrument in their national context, assessing municipalities’ portals. This initiative is resulting in the assessment of a much larger number of local government portals, thus bringing:
Broader coverage and representation of the status/maturity of local e-government. A more comprehensive and complete portrait of local e-government worldwide, with the larger survey sample allowing more accurate insights, more consistent analysis, and the opportunity to better identify the challenges, difficulties and opportunities cities have in common (and where there is divergence). The opportunity to engage in broader evidence-based analysis of the online presence of local governments worldwide, with increased capacity for productive comparisons and the ability to identify areas in need of improvement. The establishment of a network of experts and practitioners that can share good practices and lessons learned.
Participants are kindly asked to fill in the following questionnaire: https://tally.so/r/nGoMlO This open forum will present and discuss the learning experiences of the LOSI application in countries as diverse as (alphabetically) Brazil, India, Jordan and Tunisia,. In doing so, the open forum will invite interested parties and potential partners to join the LOSI Network, explore the LOSI methodology, and make constructive suggestions for future adjustments in the methodology focus and criteria. The output of the open forum will be a summary report. For information on the LOSI Network: https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/About/E-Government-at-…
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Onsite and online moderator will communicate directly throughout the session to ensure that comments and questions online is brought up in the discussions. Depending on the length of the session approved (90 or 60min) and the volume of online contributions, the online moderator may summarise the questions or contributions on behalf of online participants. The session report will reflect both onsite and online contributions. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? All slides will be mirrored both onsite and online. Where possible speakers, panelists and contributing participants will be streamed. Virtual surveys with results being discussed will be applied. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. The organising partners, UNDESA and UNU-EGOV, will advertise the open forum (i.e. date, time, links) within their respective networks and across their social media profiles (e.g. LinkedIN, X, Facebook) to increase the reach of IGF and the session. Similarly, the output and outcomes of the open forum will be discriminated.
This session, co-hosted by DTC and YCIG, will address the evolving demands of the workforce shaped by AI, Quantum Computing, BCIs, and Robotics. The focus will be on identifying innovative educational strategies and career pathways that adapt to these technologies. Participants will discuss interdisciplinary learning, project-based models, microcredentials, tech apprenticeships, lifelong learning platforms, and language digital divide, aiming to align educational and professional development with future technological landscapes. The roundtable session will guide dialogues on educational systems and employment, also going through the digital divide and the existing gaps in countries that have less access to digital literacy, empowerment and infrastructure. According to UNESCO, around 3.6 billion people worldwide still lack reliable internet access, and in developing countries, access to digital literacy and infrastructure is limited. ITU reports that only 19% of individuals in the least developed countries use the internet, compared to 87% in developed countries. There is no longer a clear pathway to success through education. A report by the McKinsey Global Institute suggests that by 2030, up to 800 million jobs worldwide could be lost to automation, representing one-fifth of the global workforce. As the Youth and the Teen Dynamic Coalitions on Internet Governance, we see as part or our responsibilities to promote the dialogues on the perspectives of education and future considering the advancement of technology and Internet, and during the session we will present a joint document and position on the topic, opened to collaborations and available in our platforms after IGF 2024. The session aims to facilitate a 90 minutes roundtable where participants will be part of the session itself. We will Incorporate interactive elements such as polls, Q&A, and breakout rooms to facilitate discussion between onsite and online attendees, supporting real-time interaction, and ensuring comprehensive participation. Tentative agenda: 10’: Introduction and background. The moderator explains how the session will take place and points out that attendees can ask questions by using the hand-raising option or in the chat (online), or by requesting the floor (onsite). 50’: The moderator introduces the policy issues and addresses the speakers with questions in a roundtable fashion. 20’: Open floor. The moderator invites all participants to take the floor either online or onsite. 10’: Key takeaways (rapporteur) and conclusions. Both online and onsite moderators will make sure that the questions and comments are not overlooked through effective communication, but play an important role throughout the session. An open floor moment is reserved for public onsite and online interaction.
Participants will be exposed to ideas and advancements around how to use AI in the newsroom from content gathering, content production, and content distribution. Using African newsrooms like Centre for Innovation and Technology use of Alice News reader anchor as a case study, we will delve into the current unregulated landscape, highlighting the potential impact on news consumption. By embracing AI African newsrooms educate their audiences this will get picked up civic organizations, and policymakers which can lobby more effectively for AI policies, frameworks which are Afrocentric so as to avoid bias and misrepresentation from the African users perspective. . Additionally, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the sociocultural implications of AI within the African context, shedding light on underrepresented perspectives. Our lightning talk will showcase practical strategies for African newsrooms and audiences to harness AI, addressing unique challenges that may arise, distinct from those encountered in the global north. We will organize a digital conference session with both offline and online interaction. The lighting Talk will start with a roundtable discussion among physically present participants, led by an onsite facilitator. Then, the same facilitator will pose questions to virtual panelists. Next, there will be a Q&A session, beginning with questions from the physical audience, then virtual ones. We will use Zoom,X and livestream on YouTube, managed by an onsite digital moderator who will monitor feedback and questions .In addition, a hashtag for the session would be used in conjunction with any other IGF hashtags. The on-site digital moderator in addition to engaging in social media, They will gather any question comments and remarks for the plenary session.
The concept of "Information Integrity" has been increasingly employed towards a propositive agenda that aims to encompass the addressing of disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and threats for democracy in the online environment (see, for instance, the recently-launched United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity). Nevertheless, it still lacks a solid theoretical framework. Joining forces, the DC on Platform Responsibility (DCPR) and the DC on Internet Rights and Principles (IRPC) organize this session to explore the concept from a perspective of human rights and platform responsibilities. The session clearly states challenges for trust and security in the current digital information ecosystem, including those related to algorithmic recommendation systems and the attention economy. The session also aims to evaluate and support the ongoing activities of all stakeholders toward strengthening information integrity, for social media platforms particularly how to live up to their responsibility while complying with human rights principles. A 90 minute roundtable is instrumental to allowing meaningful interactions with the large number of stakeholders participating in the session.
The DC IUI and DC SIG will explore the role of Internet Universality Indicators in Schools for IG and the contribution that inclusion of the IUI in curricula of SIG can make to the Schools and to the necessary capacity building in Internet Governance.
The Dynamic Coalition on Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators, which was launched at the IGF 2020, has played a critical role in advancing Internet Governance in over 40 countries through the promotion of the ROAM-X principles, which call for an Internet that is human (R )ights-based, (O)pen, (A)ccessible to all, nurtured by (M)ultistakeholder participation and that addresses (X) cross-cutting issues of the Internet such as gender equality and sustainable development. The Coalition has organized meetings and sessions consistently during global IGF and regional IGF conferences in Africa, Asia Pacific and other high-level events where UNESCO is actively engaged. Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) are important initiatives that help with creating and strengthening capacity in Internet Governance. Regional SIGs have been operating in all the regions of the world, while national SIGs exist in many, but not all, countries. The DC-SIGs provide a common platform where SIGs can discuss matters of their interest, share information, share innovations and discuss adaptive mechanisms as they evolve. While the global pandemic did adversely impact many SIGs, most are now back in a fully functional manner. The challenge for all schools is to keep on developing and adapting to new realities and to adjust the curriculum constantly. The four core principles of the IUI: rights-based, openness, accessibility to all and multi stakeholder participation are present in the capacity building activities organized by the Schools on Internet Governance. Profiting from the presence of SIG in many countries and regions, these capacity building spaces can promote the use of these indicators to evaluate and improve digital policies.
Description: Including youth’s voices in discussions and decision-making is crucial to ensuring that the data economy is truly equitable and that the value of data is unlocked for all. This panel will explore how youth voices can reshape and transform data policy and data-driven technological innovations to effectively unlock the value of data for all. Join us to share insights on the most pressing issues youth care about in the digital era (e.g. AI, genAI, climate change, education, mental health, reskilling for the future), and how to effectively engage young people from all regions of the world in data and digital policy. Youth are more connected than ever and are key in shaping the future of the data economy and thus its governance. They are the most connected to digital technologies, yet the most disconnected from policy discussions on how to govern those technologies. Youth are the most vulnerable, be it for known risks of social media use and internet dependency, as victims of online abuses, or as disenfranchised data subjects. Meanwhile, decisions that impact youth’s future remain monopolized by adults - either through corporations that develop technologies targeting them as users or through governments shaping the frameworks and rules that will dictate their relation with those technologies. Youth are rarely represented in either of those spaces and the gap between decision-makers and youth is particularly pronounced in the data realm. To effectively unlock the value of data and digital technologies for all, it is fundamental to design bold solutions and creative avenues to engage young voices in data and digital policy.
Description: As digital technology becomes an integral part of children's daily lives, ensuring their rights and fostering inclusion in the digital age is more critical than ever. This workshop explores best practices and innovative approaches to safeguarding children’s digital rights, promoting online safety, and encouraging inclusive digital participation among young people. The proposed session will focus on the following key topics: 1. Online Safety for Children: We will examine practical strategies to create safe online environments for children and address common risks like cyberbullying, online predators, and harmful content. 2. Digital Literacy and Inclusion: We will discuss how digital literacy initiatives can empower children, allowing them to fully participate in the digital world while promoting inclusivity across different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. 3. Human Rights in the Digital Space: Our panel will explore how children's rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information, can be protected in the digital realm. We will also consider the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, on children's rights. Our approach is grounded in showcasing concrete impacts and results from programs and policies that have successfully promoted children's rights and inclusion in the digital space. Through case studies and real-world examples, we will highlight how stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and technology companies, can collaborate to create a safer and more inclusive digital environment for children. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions related to children's digital rights and be equipped with practical tools and best practices to foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful digital space for the next generation.
Description: This youth-led session addresses the vital role of advanced cybersecurity measures like Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI), and IoT security in fostering sustainable digital innovation. With the increasing reliance on digital technologies in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and economic development, the importance of robust cybersecurity frameworks cannot be overstated. This workshop brings together leading experts to discuss integrating these technologies within the global digital infrastructure, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. Maria Luque, Managing Director at Future Literacy Group and expert in Quantum Technologies will delve into QKD and its integration with existing security protocols under the ITU-T Y.3800 framework, addressing potential quantum computing threats. Khyati Mehta from Sandbox Quantum will bring her insights into quantum security. Wataru Ohgai from JPNIC will discuss the critical role of RPKI in securing Internet routing. At the same time, Sofia Silva Berenguer from APNIC will shed light on the collaborative efforts of the NRO RPKI Program to deploy RPKI across different regions. Joao Moreno Falcao from DC-IS3C will cover recent developments in IoT security standards, focusing on ensuring interoperability and robustness in increasingly connected environments. Sorene Assefa from UNECA will discuss the application of these security measures within governance frameworks, particularly in the African context. The session will be highly interactive, with a real-time collaborative document for attendees and a structured Q&A facilitated by onsite and online moderators, ensuring inclusive participation. Open Discussion and Audience Q&A (30 minutes) Moderator: Athanase Bahizire (Youth DRF Congo) * The panelists engage with the audience, addressing questions and expanding on the discussion topics. Closing Remarks and Future Directions (5 minutes) Rapporteur: Yug Desai * Summary of discussions, key takeaways, and mention of follow-up actions.
Join technology and human rights expert Brittan Heller as she explores how the internet is evolving with new 3D computing technologies like XR glasses. These spatial computing devices blend our physical and digital worlds by collecting detailed data about our surroundings and our personal reactions. In her talk, Brittan will explain why traditional ways of protecting our privacy, such as opting out, may no longer be effective in this new digital landscape. Specifically, in what she calls the "embodied web," users cannot opt out if their body's information is required to calibrate the hardware. Brittan will discuss the risks associated with XR technologies, including how they might use our own involuntary biometric responses for targeted advertising. Additionally, she will address how personal identifying information can be extracted from seemingly anonymous data, such as the way someone points, to uniquely identify them even in large crowds. She emphasizes the importance of developing new privacy rules that can address these emerging challenges while the technology is still in its early stages. Her talk will focus on what these changes mean for our privacy, rights, and safety as we delve deeper into the world of spatial computing. Heller’s talk underscores the need to harness innovation and balance risks in digital space. You can learn more about her ideas in her lecture for the Stanford Cyber Policy Center ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0zhkvM_iGY](https://www.youtube.com/wa…)) or in her paper ([https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol23/iss1/1/](https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol23/iss1/1/)). This is a lightning talk and the speaker would be fully on-site.
The evolution of Internet governance and the multistakeholder model has been marked by significant processes and initiatives such as NETmundial+10, WSIS+20, and the Global Digital Compact (GDC). These efforts have played a crucial role in shaping Internet/digital governance, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and promoting the multistakeholder model. While impacts at the local level may be less visible globally, they are nonetheless significant. Local communities are experiencing changes in the quality of multistakeholder engagement and the implementation of the model. These shifts at the local level are essential for the overall effectiveness and inclusiveness of global Internet governance, highlighting the importance of continuous adaptation and improvement in multistakeholder practices.
Through exchange with communities from around the world gathered around 174 national, regional, sub-regional, and youth IGF initiatives, this panel will address the pivotal discourse of the evolution of Internet governance and the multistakeholder model. This session will discuss aspects related to various policy matters on the session’s topic, such as:
What is the impact of NETmundial+10, WSIS+20, GDC, etc. processes on Internet governance and the multistakeholder model and how can we use the NETmundial+10 Multistakeholder Statement to advance them? What are the existing initiatives within and beyond NRIs’ process, as examples of good practices of evolving Internet governance and the multistakeholder model? How do Internet governance processes and its multistakeholder model advance digital public policy? How do they interact with traditional multilateral processes? How have Internet governance and the multistakeholder model evolved from sectoral and regional points of view? Which voices should be in the model at the national, and regional level and how can they be effectively brought in? How can Internet governance be more useful to all stakeholders so that they identify NRI spaces as a key venue for advocacy? Can the multistakeholder approach pave the way for inclusiveness and Internet resilience in times of crisis After 20+ years of experience, what worked well and what didn’t work in the bottom-up multistakeholder model for Internet Governance?
Thursday December 19, 2024 13:30 - 15:00 GMT+03
-Plenary Hall
2024 is a global “super-election year”, with around 49% of the people in the world being called to vote in around 64 countries. In any democratic society, a free press serves as a crucial check on power, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the dissemination of accurate information. They provide the public with reporting, investigative journalism, and fact-checking, offering voters the information they need to make informed decisions. Their presence helps to deter electoral fraud and ensure that elections are conducted fairly and transparently. At the same time, online harassment, threats, surveillance, censorship, internet shutdowns and cyberattacks against journalists and media organizations have become disturbingly common occurrence. In the context of this super-election year Switzerland would like to organize an Open Forum to shed light on the safety of journalists online. During this Open Forum, we aim to underline the different issues surrounding the safety of journalists online and look at potential solutions to address them. We will also look at how we can collectively promote and improve the safety of journalists online. By examining the intersections of technology, policy, and human rights, we aspire to identify concrete actions and collaborative initiatives that can empower journalists and media organizations to navigate the digital landscape securely and effectively. Switzerland would also take the opportunity to present its National Action Plan (NAP) for the safety of media professionals. The National Action Plan was published on 3 May 2023, on International Press Freedom Day and aims to put the issue of the ‘safety of journalists’ on the public agenda. It aims to raise awareness in society and among politicians of the various challenges facing journalists and of the fundamental importance of the media as part of an effective democracy in Switzerland. In close cooperation with the media sector, OFCOM (the Federal Office of Communications) has drawn up nine specific measures in the areas of awareness-raising and prevention, protection and support in cases of violence and threats, and also monitoring the legal framework. It is critical that we come together to defend the principles of freedom of expression, independent journalism, and access to information. This Open Forum is aiming to amplify voices, share knowledge, and catalyze collective action towards a future where media freedom thrives in the digital age. We invite all stakeholders to join us and participate in this meaningful dialogue guided by our policy questions to contribute to shaping a more transparent, accountable, and democratic media landscape. To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we plan to employ a multifaceted approach. This will involve live streaming sessions for virtual participants, enabling them to ask questions and contribute to discussions in real-time. Additionally, dedicated moderators will ensure that both online and onsite audiences have equal opportunities to engage and participate. In designing the session, our focus will be on creating the best possible experience for all participants, regardless of their physical location.
Description: In the evolving digital landscape, the tension between personal privacy and public safety is increasingly palpable, particularly in the realm of digital encryption technologies. Our workshop, "Balancing Acts: Encryption, Privacy, and Public Safety," will delve into the complexities of designing and implementing digital privacy technologies that both protect individual rights and enable lawful access for public safety purposes. With a focus on emerging technical standards in encryption and anonymization, this session will bring together a diverse panel of world-leading experts from policy, industry, and NGOs. Through panel contributions followed by group discussions, we will explore the nuanced trade-offs between emerging technical standards (such as E2EE) for user privacy and the challenges it presents in detecting and preventing online threats, including child exploitation and cybercrime. This workshop aims to foster a multifaceted dialogue on harnessing innovation while balancing the inherent risks in the digital space, highlighting the societal implications of privacy technology decisions.
The session will be structured as follows: Part 1 - Lessons learned from real-case maturity assessments of blockchain solutions supporting: - Heather Leigh Flannery: Digital Health; and - Priya Guliani: Digital Identity. Policy Question: How can the IGF and its stakeholders support the development and deployment of blockchain-based digital health and digital identity solutions in adherence with the principles of inclusivity, privacy, security, and human rights protection? Part 2 - Malak Trabelsi Loeb: Assurance and security risks of blockchain solutions: - Quantum Impact: Rethinking Blockchain Security in the New Computational Era. Policy Question: The IGF's "Internet We Want" vision calls for protecting user privacy and data security, as well as promoting the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. How can this vision be implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach that would help addressing the quantum security risks to blockchain? Part 3 - Adel Elmessiry: Artificial Intelligence and Blockchains - The critical challenges presented by the rise in AI adoption and how the latest blockchain research efforts address them. Policy Question: The IGF has identified "Emerging Technologies and Innovation Issues: Distributed ledger-blockchain, Quantum computing, Smart cities" as a key focus area, indicating the relevance of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by these technologies. How can the IGF and its stakeholders develop policy frameworks and guidelines that leverage the synergies between AI and blockchain technologies to mitigate the risks and maximize the benefits of AI adoption, in alignment with the principles of the "Internet We Want"? 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? In addition to the on-site and on-line moderators, the session will be supported by 3 onsite, and 3 online, representatives of DC-BAS, for monitoring and noting questions, giving the floor to attendees, ensuring adequate follow-up and assistance. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? The session will be conducted in accordance with a predefined structured agenda, articulated in 3 parts. which it will be publicized ahead of the event. DC-BAS will also: - Designate a dedicated person to manage the hybrid aspects of the session, ensuring that online participants are fully integrated and not marginalized - Have dedicated remote technical experts to support online participants and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the session - Conduct a practice run beforehand to identify and resolve any technical challenges - Share background information about the speakers and their presentations - Encourage onsite participants to make eye contact with online participants and create opportunities for them to contribute 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. DC-BAS will, to the extent possible, incorporate interactive elements, such as live Q&A, polls, and audience reactions, to engage both online and onsite participants.
