Hi!
Looking forward towards the webinars* tomorrow, wanted to share some information about where the GDC Zero Draft stands, when we look at it from the narrow ICANN’s mission point of view.
Among many interesting points, these three are particularly relevant for our discussions:
The technical community is recognized as a separate stakeholder, and not part of any other stakeholder group. Some of you might not know that there was a publication by the CEOs of ARIN, APNIC and ICANN, dedicated to that issue.
The Multistakeholder model of Internet governance and the Internet Governance Forum are supported in several different instances.
The creation of a multilateral body, the Digital Cooperation Forum, is not supported.
Here are some of the relevant quotes in the GDC (bold added by me):
Cluster 2. Internet governance
24. We recognize that the Internet is a critical global resource for inclusive and equitable digital transformation. In order to be accessible and interoperable to all, it must be stable and unfragmented.
25. We recognize and commit to uphold the role of the Internet Governance Forum and multi-stakeholder cooperation in maintaining a universal, free and secure Internet at the governance, content and technical layers.
26. We commit to:
(a) Promote a universal, free and secure Internet and take concrete steps to create and maintain a safe, secure and enabling online environment for all(SDG 9);
(b) Support the Internet Governance Forum as a durable bottom-up multistakeholder platform for discussion on public policy issues related to the Internet (SDGs 9 &10);
(c) Continue efforts to increase diverse participation in the Internet Governance Forum, especially by governments and the private sector (SDG 10);
(d) Refrain from Internet shutdowns and ensure that any restrictions are in full compliance with international law, including with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination (SDG 16).
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57. We reaffirm the role of the Internet Governance Forum as a key multistakeholder platform for Internet governance and the promotion of an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space. We encourage governments, the private sector and all stakeholders to engage actively in its work with a view to advancing Compact commitments on Internet governance. We invite the Internet Government Forum to build on its youth networks to amplify the voices and views of young people in policy deliberations on the Internet.
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60. We look forward to the WSIS+20 Review in 2025 to identify how WSIS processes can support practical implementation, including by adapting WSIS action lines to reflect Compact commitments and actions. We invite the WSIS+20 Review to consider how youth perspectives can be incorporated in this effort.
61. We recognize the role of the Secretary-General in leading UN system-wide collaboration on digital technologies. We also recognize the importance of enhancing UN system-wide coordination on digital and emerging technologies. To this end, we recommend that the General Assembly decides to establish a dedicated office for coordinating digital and emerging technology in the Secretariat, based on a detailed proposal on the operational functions, structure, resources and staffing, including provisions for a liaison presence in Geneva, and, in that regard, we request the Secretary-General to submit this proposal to the General Assembly during its 79th session.
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65. The cross-cutting nature of digital technologies and the multiplicity of actors involved in digital cooperation requires aligned follow up. We therefore commit to review the Global Digital Compact to assess progress against objectives and to identify emerging opportunities and challenges for global digital cooperation. We decide to convene a high-level meeting, under the auspices of the General Assembly and entitled “High-Level Review of the Global Digital Compact”, to take place every two years starting in the 80th session with the participation of all relevant stakeholders.
More interesting quotes:
5. Our cooperation must be agile and adaptable to the rapidly changing digital landscape. It is only by working in collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society, international organizations and the technical and academic communities, that we can achieve our goal.
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53. Government-led efforts can only succeed with the active engagement of the private sector, technical and academic communities and civil society, whose innovations and contributions to digitalization are fundamental and irreplaceable. We must strengthen and direct our collaboration, and accelerate implementation of existing cooperative efforts, to achieve the objectives set out in this Compact.
54. We invite international and regional organizations, digital technology companies, technical community and civil society groups to endorse the Global Digital Compact and take active part in its implementation. We request the Secretary-General to put in place modalities for the voluntary endorsement of this Compact and to make this information public and accessible by December 2024.
Again, for those, who may have missed the information – here’s where you can register for tomorrow’s Zoom call:
Wednesday, 17 April 2024 | 14:00 UTC
Thursday, 18 April 2024 | 01:00 UTC
Best,
Veni
VP for UN Engagement - ICANN
