August 2024 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

GDC Rev 4 released
by Fiona Alexander Sept. 14, 2024

Sept. 14, 2024

Hi to all Attached is GDC Rev 4 which has made it my way from a few different people this morning. I understand that like Rev 3 the draft was released under silence procedures. I don't have the details on the silence procedures deadline this time around, perhaps others do. I'm still digesting the text but a quick assessment on the issues I have been most closely following: * leans into ITU more on connectivity and bridging the digital divide; * 2005 status quo on Internet governance (a pity in my view on the IGF funding challenge); * More caution on Digital Public Infrastructure; * The new AI panel and annual dialogue remain; * Follow up seems a bit more grounded in existing mechanisms and a GDC implementation map produced and linked to next year's WSIS +20; and, * A proposal for creation of a new UN office remains and will go to the General Assembly meetings next month, presumably for approval. Look forward to hearing others perspectives. Fiona

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Bulletin
by Carlos Reyes Aug. 28, 2024

Aug. 28, 2024

Hello, all. Please refer to the attachment for the latest update of activities, undertaken by ICANN and other organizations, that are relevant to the WSIS+20 Outreach Network. If you would like to contribute to future updates, please contact me. Thank you, Carlos Carlos Reyes WSIS+20 Outreach Network

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GDC Stakeholder Session (22 Aug)
by Becky McGilley Aug. 22, 2024

Aug. 22, 2024

In light of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) Stakeholder session<https://www.un.org/techenvoy/global-digital-compact> scheduled on August 22nd, we’d like to share that ICANN will be participating and has registered to speak. Our remarks will convey the following messages: * The Internet's greatest strength lies in its remarkable ability to connect people and devices and enabling communications across the globe. To ensure a digital future that benefits everyone, it is important that the Internet remains open, globally connected, interoperable, and accessible to all. * The Internet's technical foundation is robust largely due to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance. The multistakeholder model is the most effective approach for managing a globally distributed system like the Internet. It ensures that all relevant experts and others who need to be included can participate and have equal say in the decision-making. * The technical community is a core component of the multistakeholder model. The collaborative efforts of the technical community and the multistakeholder model have resulted in the stable, secure, and resilient operation of the Internet. Thank you, Rebecca McGilley Director, Government & IGO Engagement Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Cell: +1 310 745 7033 www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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CWG-Internet contribution
by Becky McGilley Aug. 20, 2024

Aug. 20, 2024

Dear WSIS+20 Network, Last month, I mentioned the ITU Council Working Group on International Internet-related Public Policy Issues’ (CWG-Internet) opportunity for stakeholder contributions on the topic of “the developmental aspects to the strengthen the Internet.” ICANN has now prepared the attached contribution we plan to submit to the CWG-Internet open online consultation. The deadline is September 3. In our contribution, we emphasis the importance of the multistakeholder model of Internet governance in the Internet’s continued development. We highlight ICANN’s efforts in fostering meaningful connectivity, promoting a secure and resilient Internet, and promoting digital inclusion and skills. Additionally, we share our perspectives on how to foster multistakeholder participation. Finally, we share some thoughts on the role of WSIS. We hope others will contribute to this consultative topic as well and look forward to seeing them. Thank you, Rebecca McGilley Director, Government & IGO Engagement Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Cell: +1 310 745 7033 www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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Global Digital Justice Forum's rejoinder to the Open Letter by Tech Leaders and Innovators to the United Nations on the Global Digital Compact
by AHM Bazlur Rahman Aug. 18, 2024

Aug. 18, 2024

Global Digital Justice Forum Why the people of the world need a Global Digital Compact The Global Digital Justice Forum<https://globaldigitaljusticeforum.net/>—a group of civil society organizations and networks working on digital rights and justice—would like to share its perspective on the Open Letter<https://open-internet-governance.org/letter> to the UN from tech community leaders and internet innovators. Register had reported<https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/03/un_digital_compact_technical_pushbac…> the letter in July. The Letter expresses reservations that the draft text of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) being negotiated by governments may ‘mandate more centralized governance’ that could be ‘detrimental to the world’s economies and societies’. We believe that it is vital for the internet technical community to be engaged in the GDC process, and wish to acknowledge the enormous work done by this community to shape the internet into the valuable public resource it is today. However, we believe that proposals emerging from the GDC process underway should not be misconstrued as a government takeover of the ‘successful multistakeholder Internet governance’ approach. This, we feel, maybe both misplaced and alarmist. We wish to make three points. To begin with, the current draft<https://www.un.org/techenvoy/sites/www.un.org.techenvoy/files/general/GDC_R…> of the GDC is explicitly grounded in a ‘multistakeholder’ approach, exhorting governments to work ‘with the private sector, civil society, international organizations, the technical and academic communities and all other stakeholders, within their respective roles and responsibilities’ (para 6, GDC Rev 3.0). Indeed, as civil society representing Southern movements and organizations, we would have liked to see much deeper consultation. However, the specific governance proposals in the GDC—pertaining to Internet, data and AI governance—are aligned with the World Summit on the Information Society principles and plan of action; the only touchstone so far on global digital governance. Secondly, the GDC—when adopted—will be a multilateral agreement that lays down the duty of member states to guarantee the public right<https://www.lsd.law/define/public-right> of people to equal and full participation in the digital economy and society. Unless the public sector steps up to its rightful duty and role, an “inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all” (para 4, GDC Rev 3.0) will be no more than a pie in the sky. The unequivocal failure of the market-first model of connectivity—with half the world<https://www.un.org/techenvoy/content/global-connectivity> still offline—is nothing short of a global emergency. An explicit recognition of the public right to connectivity is surely not any ‘governmental takeover’ of digital governance? Finally, the ‘bottom-up, collaborative and inclusive model of Internet governance that has served the world for the past half century’, referred to in the letter, is aspirational rather than a description of present realities. Internet governance, in practice, has neither been fully inclusive nor adequately representative. The recent Net Mundial+10<https://netmundial.br/pdf/NETmundial10-MultistakeholderStatement-2024.pdf> outcome document calls out for multistakeholder digital processes to be mindful of power asymmetries between, and the diverse nature and roles of, stakeholders. We endorse this caution, particularly in the context of the de facto centralization of the platform marketplace. We believe the GDC process is a beacon of hope, however small, to remedy the abominable capture of the digital commons and markets by Big Tech. It is eminently clear that the cyberlibertarian vision of yesteryears is at the root of the myriad problems confronting global digital governance today. Governments are needed in the digital space not only to tackle harm or abuse. They have a positive role to play in fulfilling a gamut of human rights for inclusive, equitable, and flourishing digital societies. Undoubtedly, this GDC may not be the best we could get. At the same time, we believe that democratic digital governance requires international cooperation and the role of governments in a) mobilizing public investments for foundational public digital goods in all nations and b) moving steadily towards accountable global data and AI governance architectures—a critical agenda whose time is here—for pluralistic digital societies. The Internet today is not what many who contributed to its development dreamed it would be. The status quo—with corporate self-interest leading the way—is untenable. It is disastrous for people and planet alike. As progressive civil society working to democratize the digital space—hand in hand with the innovators worldwide who hold the internet’s original promise dear—we seek nothing less than a radical departure from the democratic deficit that has come to characterize it. We do hope the GDC can be one step in that direction. Download the PDF version https://globaldigitaljusticeforum.net/rejoinder-to-the-open-letter-by-tech-… --------------------- Bazlu _____________ AHM. Bazlur Rahman MSS in Government & Politics, Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) Chief Executive Officer Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) [In Consultative Status with the ECOSOC, Associated with the Department of Global Communications of the United Nations & Observer Organization with the UNFCCC & Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)] Policy Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Media, Entertainment & Society in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution House: 9/4 Road: 2, Shaymoli, Dhaka-1207| Bangladesh| Phone: +8801711881647 | +88 02 48116262 | +88 02 48119374 E-Mail: ceo(a)bnnrc.net<mailto:ceo@bnnrc.net> | bnnrcbd(a)gmail.com<mailto:bnnrcbd@gmail.com> | https://www.bnnrc.net<http://www.bnnrc.net/> [cid:e30a6cee-31ba-4678-9206-388c8c8d1089]

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Fact Sheet Series
by Becky McGilley Aug. 15, 2024

Aug. 15, 2024

As part of the WSIS+20 outreach network’s commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible information, we’re happy to launch a new factsheet series on Internet-related topics. The first edition focuses on the WSIS+20 Review<http://go.icann.org/4doDRox>. The next one to be published will be on ‘ The Multistakeholder Model of Internet Governance’, to be published by end of the month. These factsheets are designed to be essential resources, offering clear and concise background information on various aspects of Internet governance. By breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand, 101-style insights, they help individuals grasp key messages and develop a solid understanding of these important topics. The factsheets can be found on the WSIS+20 Outreach Network web page<http://go.icann.org/3wgbUPr> under the Knowledge Hub tab at the bottom of the page. Thank you! Rebecca McGilley Director, Government & IGO Engagement Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Cell: +1 310 745 7033 www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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Re: Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes
by Veni Markovski Aug. 8, 2024

Aug. 8, 2024

Thanks, Sabrina. The link to the LinkedIn is not working anymore, but they have changed the text there to correct the date to the 22nd. It is strange they put the 19th, as this is the date of the informal consultations (for member states only). So, the message now on the TechEnvoy’s LinkedIn page says, Join us for the next Stakeholders Information Session on the Global Digital Compact, scheduled for August 22nd at 10:00 AM ET. Please register here: https://lnkd.in/gpEmTuA6 You are right that it’s not published on the GDC webpage. The latest document there is rev.2... Best, v/ From: WSIS20 Outreach Network <wsis20(a)icann.org> Reply-To: Sabrina Wilkinson <Sabrina.Wilkinson(a)cira.ca> Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 11:05 To: WSIS20 Outreach Network <wsis20(a)icann.org> Subject: [wsis20] Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes Hi everyone, Sharing that the Tech Envoy's Office has announced a new "stakeholder information session" on the GDC via LinkedIn [linkedin.com] At the time of writing, please note there’s a discrepancy on the timing of the session between Aug 19 (Google Form title) and Aug 22 (LinkedIn text description). In the case you'd like to get a jump start on registration just the same, you can register here [forms.office.com] It doesn't look like the info and link to the session have been posted on the GDC webpage yet. Welcome others’ insights if I’ve missed something. Kind regards, Sabrina Sabrina Wilkinson Internet Governance Manager, CIRA M: 613.857.4195 | cira.ca [cira.ca] CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL From: Byron Holland <byron.holland(a)cira.ca> Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 3:48 PM To: wsis20(a)icann.org Cc: Charles Noir <Charles.Noir(a)cira.ca> Subject: Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes Importance: High Good day, As you may know, CIRA has been engaging with other technical operators as A Technical Community Coalition for Multistakeholderism (TCCM). Together, the coalition has just published a joint statement on our concerns with the GDC process and, consequently, the possible outcomes. You can read the statement here: https://www.cira.ca/en/resources/news/state-of-internet/joint-statement-tcc… [cira.ca] If you'd like to learn more, please do not hesitate to reach out to CIRA's VP Policy Charles Noir (charles.noir(a)cira.ca) who can share your message with the coalition Secretariat. Regards, Byron Holland President & CEO, CIRA cira.ca [cira.ca]

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Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes
by Sabrina Wilkinson Aug. 8, 2024

Aug. 8, 2024

Hi everyone, Sharing that the Tech Envoy's Office has announced a new "stakeholder information session" on the GDC via LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/posts/un-tech-envoy_fill-global-digital-compact-st…>. At the time of writing, please note there's a discrepancy on the timing of the session between Aug 19 (Google Form title) and Aug 22 (LinkedIn text description). In the case you'd like to get a jump start on registration just the same, you can register here<https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=2zWeD09UYE-9zF6kFubccH-…>. It doesn't look like the info and link to the session have been posted on the GDC webpage yet. Welcome others' insights if I've missed something. Kind regards, Sabrina Sabrina Wilkinson Internet Governance Manager, CIRA M: 613.857.4195 | cira.ca<http://cira.ca/> [cid:image002.png@01DAE981.005A6CB0] CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL From: Byron Holland <byron.holland(a)cira.ca<mailto:byron.holland@cira.ca>> Sent: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 3:48 PM To: wsis20(a)icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org> Cc: Charles Noir <Charles.Noir(a)cira.ca<mailto:Charles.Noir@cira.ca>> Subject: Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes Importance: High Good day, As you may know, CIRA has been engaging with other technical operators as A Technical Community Coalition for Multistakeholderism (TCCM). Together, the coalition has just published a joint statement on our concerns with the GDC process and, consequently, the possible outcomes. You can read the statement here: https://www.cira.ca/en/resources/news/state-of-internet/joint-statement-tcc… If you'd like to learn more, please do not hesitate to reach out to CIRA's VP Policy Charles Noir (charles.noir(a)cira.ca<mailto:charles.noir@cira.ca>) who can share your message with the coalition Secretariat. Regards, Byron Holland President & CEO, CIRA cira.ca<http://cira.ca/> [cid:image001.png@01DAE8E1.3A2BDE10]

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Joint TCCM statement on GDC process & outcomes
by Byron Holland Aug. 8, 2024

Aug. 8, 2024

Good day, As you may know, CIRA has been engaging with other technical operators as A Technical Community Coalition for Multistakeholderism (TCCM). Together, the coalition has just published a joint statement on our concerns with the GDC process and, consequently, the possible outcomes. You can read the statement here: https://www.cira.ca/en/resources/news/state-of-internet/joint-statement-tcc… If you'd like to learn more, please do not hesitate to reach out to CIRA's VP Policy Charles Noir (charles.noir(a)cira.ca<mailto:charles.noir@cira.ca>) who can share your message with the coalition Secretariat. Regards, Byron Holland President & CEO, CIRA cira.ca<http://cira.ca/> [cid:image001.png@01DAE8E1.3A2BDE10] CLASSIFICATION:CONFIDENTIAL

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