May 2025 - wsis20 - lists.icann.org

WSIS+20 virtual stakeholder consultation sessions (9-10 June 2025)
by Deniz Susar May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Dear ICANN WSIS+20 Outreach Network, Please note that registration is now open for the WSIS+20 virtual stakeholder consultation sessions (9-10 June 2025), pls see here: WSIS+20 Virtual Stakeholder Consultation | Public Institutions<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/virtualconsultation> The Co-Facilitators agreed to hold two sessions for different timezones on those days. Statements will be limited to 3 minutes and guided by the questions provided on the page above. The session on 10 June (Second Session) will open with statements from UN agencies (5 min each). Secretariat will publish a speaking list based on registration. We hope to accommodate as many speakers as possible. The Co-facs can also hold more sessions as needed in the near future. In addition, they will be in various sessions in the upcoming fora below: * UNESCO<https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-conference-capacity-building-ai-a…>, 4-5 June 2025 * IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2025-sessions-related-to-the-wsi…>, 23-27 June 2025 * WSIS Forum<https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2025/>, 7-11 July 2025 We are already in touch with many of you but if you have any questions or guidance to the WSIS+20 Secretariat, please feel free to reach out. Regards, -Deniz Deniz Susar | Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer Digital Government Branch | Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs +1 718 207 2067 | susar(a)un.org<mailto:susar@un.org> | www.un.org/desa<http://www.un.org/desa> | @DenizSusar<https://www.twitter.com/denizsusar> [cid:image001.jpg@01DBD0C3.0BB91280]

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Seeking endorsement: Five-Point Plan follow-up
by Ellie McDonald May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

Dear all, In late March, a cross-stakeholder group of over 150 organisations and experts published a Five-Point Plan for an Inclusive WSIS+20 Review <https://www.gp-digital.org/five-point-plan-for-an-inclusive-wsis20-review/>, providing recommendations to help operationalise the WSIS+20 review modalities to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. With the publication last week of the indicative roadmap <https://www.un.org/pga/79/2025/05/21/letter-from-the-president-of-the-gener…>, a cross-stakeholder group has worked on a follow-up document to the *Five-Point Plan: Eight Practical Recommendations* <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IjAN6E2U-kkamuFvU_37RDHlDRfZs6cKNjd6pEN…>. This is intended to respond to the roadmap and build on the Five-Point Plan with practical and action-oriented recommendations to ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement as the review process evolves. *We are now reaching out to invite organisations and individuals engaging in the WSIS+20 review to endorse the Five-Point Plan follow-up <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IjAN6E2U-kkamuFvU_37RDHlDRfZs6cKNjd6pEN…>* *.* We intend to publish and formally disseminate the follow-up before the 1st Preparatory Meeting & Stocktaking Session, taking place on 30th May. We are therefore seeking endorsements up until *Wednesday 28th May 23:00 (EDT) *for the version we share with the co-faccs, member states and UN entities. However, like the Five Point Plan, the period for endorsements will be open-ended and, once published, we will maintain a form on GPD's website to collect additional endorsements. In addition to considering your own endorsement, we would be grateful for any help to disseminate it with your communities. *To recap:* - The Five-Point Plan follow-up is now open for endorsements. Please add your endorsement by *today, Wednesday 28th May 23:00 (EDT) *to be included in the version we share with the co-faccs, UN entities and member states. - We will publish the follow-up on GPD's website on Thursday 29th May and encourage other endorsers to do the same. As with the Five Point Plan, we will maintain a form to add endorsements after initial dissemination and publication. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any comments or questions. Best wishes, The GPD team Ellie McDonald (she/her) Policy and Advocacy Lead | GLOBAL PARTNERS DIGITAL M: +44 (0)7502277163 | Time zone: GMT | gp-digital.org --- <https://www.4dayweek.co.uk/> GPD is proud to be an accredited four-day week organisation that cares about the well-being of its team. Please note that our office hours are now Monday to Thursday (9am-5pm UK time). Find out more here <https://www.gp-digital.org/news/gpd-becomes-a-four-day-week-organisation/>.

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WSIS+20 Roadmap published
by Veni Markovski May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

Hi, everyone! The co-facilitators have published the WSIS+20 Roadmap. You can download it from the official WSIS+20 webpage: https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20 Note that the stakeholder consultation will be virtual, which will allow people from all over the world to join the conversation with the co-facilitators and the member states, but that in November there will be a consultation also at the UNHQ in New York. Clearly UNDESA are running this process in a way that is considering the fact that not everyone could travel to New York for the consultations. Hope to see some of you in Prague at ICANN83! Best, v

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RECORDING – IGF MAG Webinar – Connecting WSIS, the IGF, and the Global Digital Compact (GDC)
by Joly MacFie May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

*[ Across speakers, there was a clear consensus that the IGF, with its NRIs, Dynamic Coalitions, and inclusive model, should play a central role in realizing the GDC’s vision.]* [image: ISOC LIVE] <https://isoc.live/19366>*YOUTUBE <https://youtu.be/2cU_nUMMLII> | TRANSCRIPT EN <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.EN.TRANSC…> / ES <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.ES.TRANSC…> / FR <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.FR.TRANSC…> | SUMMARY EN <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.EN.SUMMAR…> / ES <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.ES.SUMMAR…> / FR <https://archive.org/download/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc/IGF-MAG-WSIS-GDC.FR.SUMMAR…>* *ARCHIVE <https://archive.org/details/igfmag-wsis-igf-gdc> | PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/19366>* On *20 May, 2025*, the *Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group <https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/mag-members>* (IGF MAG) hosted a webinar ‘*Connecting WSIS, the IGF, and the Global Digital Compact (GDC)*‘. The session brought together UN entities, Member States, and stakeholders to explore how the *World Summit on the Information Society <https://www.itu.int/net/wsis/>* (WSIS) framework and the *Internet Governance Forum <https://www.intgovforum.org/>* (IGF) can contribute to the *Global Digital Compact <https://www.un.org/digital-emerging-technologies/global-digital-compact>* (GDC). *SPEAKERS* *Isabel De Sola Criado* – UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) *Yu Ping Chan* – UN Development Programme (UNDP) *Michel Roberto Oliveira De Souza* – Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) *Deniz Suzar* – UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) *Gitanjali Sah* – International Telecommunication Union (ITU) *Angel Gonzalez-Sanzfrom* – Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) *Torbjorn Frederiksson –* UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) *David Fairchild* – Global Affairs Canada, Canada *Avri Doria* – IGF’s Dynamic Coalition Coordination Group (DCCG) *Leandro Santos Teixeira* – Permanent Mission of Brazil to the WTO *Jorge Cancio* – OFCOM, Switzerland *Cynthia Lesufi* – South African Mission to the UN Office and other International Organisations *MODERATORS* Christine Arida – National Telecom Regulatory Authority, Egypt Concettina Cassa – Agency for Digital Italy, Italy * <https://youtu.be/2cU_nUMMLII>* *** ISOC.LIVE is a free webcasting support service for the Internet Society Community - if you would like to become a monthly sponsor, or need support - contact support(a)isoc.live *** - -- Joly MacFie Whatsapp +12185659365

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Re: [Ext] Re: Re: Share Your Thoughts: The IGF We Want
by Carlos Reyes May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Thank you, Jimson and Nick. Hi all, Following up on this discussion, please let us know if there are any comments or suggestions to build out in “The IGF We Want” paper, so that we can incorporate it into a next iteration. Best, Carlos Carlos Reyes Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Washington, D.C. Engagement Center From: "Ashton-Hart, Nick" <nashtonhart(a)apcoworldwide.com> Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM To: "Jimson Olufuye, PhD." <jolufuye(a)kontemporary.net.ng>, Carlos Reyes <carlos.reyes(a)icann.org> Cc: Kiki Fong Lim via wsis20 <wsis20(a)icann.org> Subject: [Ext] Re: [wsis20] Re: Share Your Thoughts: The IGF We Want Some good ideas. What I would put to you all though is we really need governments to add the IGF into the UN budget. That hasn’t happened because too many of them still don’t see enough of a value-add to going. Some of that is because the IGF is in the way of their political objectives vis a vis control of the Internet, but that doesn’t cover them all. It seems to me this year is a good moment to ask ourselves – and some of them – what a more valuable IGF would consist of for them other than making it a negotiating forum. Nick Ashton-Hart APCO (m) +1 202 779 1072<tel:+12027791072> Book time to meet with me here [outlook.office.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/ce911…> On 5/8/25, 5:30 PM, "Jimson Olufuye, PhD. via wsis20" <wsis20(a)icann.org> wrote: Hi Carlos, Yes. I subscribe to this. On the point of Financial Stability of "The IGF We Want": "*Develop a clear budget proposal for funding that is adequate to ensure the stability and continuity of the IGF. Seek diverse funding from businesses, civil society, governments, and technical community, with a targeted annual budget. ▪ Encourage long-term (e.g. five year) contributing commitments for long-term planning to pilot areas of need, and afford the opportunity to assess longer-term budgetary and strategic needs." As a frontline Technical Community member, can we (ICANN) lead the way in providing some predictable funding mechanism for the IGF? How about appropriating a small percentage of the annual interest accruing from the Auction Proceeds to the IGF Stabilization Fund? Thoughts? Cheers, JO --- Jimson Olufuye PhD (fncs, ficma, c.ITP, PRINCE2, CISA, CISM, CRISC, PhD) Chairman, Advisory Council, AfICTA.africa Chairman, Kontemporary® Konsulting Ltd Consulting | Outsourcing | Cybersecurity Systems Integration | Software Engineering https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kontem… [kontemporary.net.ng]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.kontemporary.net.ng/__;!!PtGJab4!6m8s…> Cell: +234 816 5012368 This email is for the exclusive recipient/s and it may contain confidential materials. If you have received it and it is not meant for you, please alert me @ jolufuye(a)kontemporary.net.ng or discard at once. Thank you. On 2025-05-08 20:40, Carlos Reyes via wsis20 wrote: > Hello, WSIS+20 Outreach Network. > > ICANN has developed a working draft of _The IGF We Want. _See PDF > attached. The document reflects what ICANN has heard in the past > several months. > > Please review it and share your thoughts and suggestions on this > mailing list. We welcome your input and look forward to the > discussion. > > Best, > Carlos > > Carlos Reyes > > Senior Policy Director > > Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers > > Washington, D.C. Engagement Center > _______________________________________________ > > > Learn more about the WSIS+20 Outreach Network and review relevant > resources: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.icann.… [go.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/go.icann.org/wsis20__;!!PtGJab4!6m8swpDc…> > > Read the public archives for this mailing list: > https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm.icann.…<https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/wsis20/> > > _______________________________________________ > By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your > personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list > accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy > (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann…<https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy>) and the website Terms of Service > (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann…<https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos>). You can visit the Mailman link > above to change your membership status or configuration, including > unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery > altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on. _______________________________________________ Learn more about the WSIS+20 Outreach Network and review relevant resources: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.icann.… [go.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/go.icann.org/wsis20__;!!PtGJab4!6m8swpDc…> Read the public archives for this mailing list: https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm.icann.…<https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/wsis20/> _______________________________________________ By submitting your personal data, you consent to the processing of your personal data for purposes of subscribing to this mailing list accordance with the ICANN Privacy Policy (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann…<https://www.icann.org/privacy/policy>) and the website Terms of Service (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icann…<https://www.icann.org/privacy/tos>). You can visit the Mailman link above to change your membership status or configuration, including unsubscribing, setting digest-style delivery or disabling delivery altogether (e.g., for a vacation), and so on. ________________________________ DATA HANDLING For data handling questions, please view our Privacy Policy [apcoworldwide.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/apcoworldwide.com/privacy-policy/__;!!Pt…> or contact us at privacy(a)apcoworldwide.com [apcoworldwide.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/*20privacy@apcoworldwide.com/__;JQ!!PtGJ…> with any inquiries. CONFIDENTIALITY This email may contain material that is confidential, privileged and/or work product for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, reliance or distribution by others or forwarding without express permission is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete all copies.

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EDIT - Manthan: A Stakeholder Discussion on WSIS+20 Review & what it means for India?
by Joly MacFie May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

*[**Good discussion!**]* [image: ISOC LIVE] <http://isoc.live/>*YOUTUBE* <https://www.youtube.com/mRq47IZgxMQ> (EN/ES/FR/HI)| TRANSCRIPT <https://archive.org/download/ccaoi-wsis/ccaoi-wsis.EN.TRANSCRIPT.pdf>(EN) *| *SUMMARY <https://archive.org/download/ccaoi-wsis/ccaoi-wsis.EN.SUMMARY.pdf> (EN) *ORIGINAL LIVESTREAM <https://youtu.be/RRV2HUX0SL4> | ARCHIVE <https://archive.org/details/ccaoi-wsis> | PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/19320>* On *Friday 16 May, 2025*, *CCAOI <http://ccaoi.in/> *hosted an online interactive stakeholder discussion ‘*WSIS+20 Review & what it means for India? <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h0eOTQrNSL6_zPKTgo-_TA#/registrati…>* ‘. The *20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20>* (WSIS) is ongoing and the overall review process will conclude at the two-day high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), to be held on 16–17 December, CCAOI believes it is important that stakeholders from India understand and engage in the process by sharing their perspective. This was the introductory discussion on this topic, more discussions are planned for when the Zero document is released. The event is supported by *Internet Society India Delhi Chapter <https://www.isocindiadelhi.in/>* (ISOC Delhi) as a community partner. *INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC* *Gitanjali Sah* – Strategy and Policy Coordinator, ITU *Sorina Teleanu* – Director of Knowledge, Diplo Foundation *SPEAKERS* *Anita Gurumurthy* – Executive Director and Senior Fellow – Research & Policy Engagement, IT for Change *Anirban Sarma* – Director, Centre for Digital Societies, Observer Research Foundation *Sunil Abraham* – Public Policy Director – Data Economy and Emerging Tech, Meta India *Avinash Agarwal* – Deputy Director General (Convergence & Broadcasting), Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India *Dr. Devesh Tyagi* – Chair, India IGF / CEO, NIXI *Angela Wibawa* – Director of Government and IGO Engagement, Asia Pacific, ICANN *Sushil Pal* – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India *MODERATOR / HOST* *Amrita Choudhury*, CCAOI <https://www.youtube.com/mRq47IZgxMQ> *** ISOC.LIVE is a free webcasting support service for the Internet Society Community - if you would like to become a sponsor - contact support(a)isoc.live *** - -- Joly MacFie Whatsapp +12185659365

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Bangladesh: The Road to World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20: Stakeholder Perspectives on National Priorities"
by AHM Bazlur Rahman May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

[cid:e5356b11-2a35-4a22-9e73-6622a0494b06] The Road to World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20: Stakeholder Perspectives on National Priorities" May 25, 2025, Dhaka, Bangladesh The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was launched in two phases, in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005, to address the global potential and challenges of information and communication technologies (ICTs). At the core of WSIS were concerns about the digital divide, unequal access to information, and the lack of coordination in using digital technologies for development. A key outcome of the process was the articulation of 11 Action Lines, which remain the backbone of the WSIS framework. These action lines include areas such as ICT infrastructure, access to information, capacity building, media freedom, ethical use of ICTs, and international cooperation. Initially, the WSIS process had a strong focus on infrastructure and telecommunications—reflecting the digital priorities of the early 2000s. Over the past two decades, the landscape has transformed dramatically. While the Action Lines have not been formally revised, they have been reinterpreted in practice. For instance, Action Line C10, originally about ethical dimensions of the Information Society, is now increasingly linked to issues such as AI governance and algorithmic transparency. However, with the expanding influence of tech platforms, growing threats to freedom of expression and data rights, and emerging global consensus on the need to govern digital technologies, there is increasing momentum to formally revisit and update the WSIS framework. Civil society actors across the world have begun to articulate a common set of demands for the WSIS+20 review. These include: operationalizing the review process to ensure transparency and inclusivity; establishing an online platform to centralize all inputs and drafts; and evaluating how the WSIS framework and its associated institutions have delivered on the original promises. Organizations have called for a human rights-based approach to all Action Lines, especially in light of the rise of AI, data exploitation, and platform monopolies. As noted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the WSIS+20 process should also reinforce the connections between the Action Lines and the UN's Global Digital Compact, which seeks to uphold international human rights law in digital governance. The WSIS+20 review is therefore not just a technical exercise; it offers an important opening for national and regional stakeholders to reshape the global agenda based on current digital realities. It comes at a time when digital governance faces contradictory pressures: while governments demand greater regulation, many also impose repressive laws that undermine online freedom. For countries like Bangladesh, which have long participated in the WSIS process, this review represents a moment to reassess national strategies, bridge policy gaps, and reengage diverse actors in inclusive dialogue. Bangladesh has been involved in the WSIS process since its inception, with early efforts to leverage ICTs for development. A national taskforce was formed at the time, and civil society and development actors were part of the conversation. But over time, the process became increasingly government-driven and was criticized for lacking meaningful multistakeholder participation. In the last twenty years, Bangladesh’s tech landscape has shifted. The private sector has grown rapidly. A new generation of entrepreneurs, activists, and civil society groups has emerged. Platforms now play an outsized role in shaping how information flows and how people engage with public issues. At the same time, laws such as the Digital Security Act—later replaced by the Cyber Security Act—have raised concerns for their impact on free expression and privacy. The changes make the WSIS+20 process not only relevant, but necessary, to rethink Bangladesh’s digital direction and connect it with more inclusive, rights-based global approaches. The Workshop To contribute to ongoing discussions around the WSIS+20 review, Digitally Right Ltd., Global Network Initiative (GNI), and Global Partners Digital (GPD) will jointly organise a day-long national workshop titled "The Road to WSIS+20: Stakeholder Perspectives on National Priorities" on May 25, 2025, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The workshop will convene stakeholders from various sectors including the government, private sector, civil society and academia to analyse past processes, identify priorities aligned with WSIS Action Lines, and develop recommendations for the way forward. The workshop aims to: ● Increase awareness and enhance capacity regarding the WSIS+20 review process. ● Develop key messages and recommendations for national-level policymakers. ● Gather information on national priorities and the context for the WSIS process. I will join the session of Bangladesh’s journey in the WSIS process, in the Road to What is the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20: Stakeholder Perspectives on National Priorities as the speaker. ------------------------------------------ Bazlu ___________ AHM. Bazlur Rahman | Specialist in Advancing Digital Democracy 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) & International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC)] Policy Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Media, Culture & 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:07c0c721-c7df-4642-af17-ba6010034f18]

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WEBCAST 16 MAY – Manthan: A Stakeholder Discussion on WSIS+20 Review & what it means for India?
by Joly MacFie May 16, 2025

May 16, 2025

<http://isoc.live/> [image: ISOC LIVE] <http://isoc.live/>*LIVESTREAM <https://youtu.be/RRV2HUX0SL4>* | *PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h0eOTQrNSL6_zPKTgo-_TA#/registrati…>* | *PERMALINK <https://isoc.live/19320>* On *Friday 16 May, 2025*, at *5:30pm IST* (12:00 UTC) *CCAOI <http://ccaoi.in/> *hosts an online interactive stakeholder discussion ‘*WSIS+20 Review & what it means for India? <https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/h0eOTQrNSL6_zPKTgo-_TA#/registrati…>* ‘. The *20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society <https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20>* (WSIS) is ongoing and the overall review process will conclude at the two-day high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), to be held on 16–17 December, CCAOI believes it is important that stakeholders from India understand and engage in the process by sharing their perspective. This will be the introductory discussion on this topic, more discussions are planned for when the Zero document is released. The event is supported by *Internet Society India Delhi Chapter <https://www.isocindiadelhi.in/>* (ISOC Delhi) as a community partner. *INTRODUCTION TO TOPIC* *Sorina Teleanu* – Director of Knowledge, Diplo Foundation *Ruth Marlyn Grace Sidabutar* – WSIS Project Officer, ITU *SPEAKERS* *Anita Gurumurthy* – Executive Director and Senior Fellow – Research & Policy Engagement, IT for Change *Anirban Sarma* – Director, Centre for Digital Societies, Observer Research Foundation *Sunil Abraham* – Public Policy Director – Data Economy and Emerging Tech, Meta India *Avinash Agarwal* – Deputy Director General (Convergence & Broadcasting), Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India *Sushil Pal* – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India *MODERATOR / HOST* *Amrita Choudhury*, CCAOI * <https://youtu.be/RRV2HUX0SL4>* - -- Joly MacFie Whatsapp +12185659365

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CITI Webinar on Understanding IG - Implications for Digital, Data and AI Governance, Wed. 28 May
by William Drake May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Hello Sorry for cross-posting but the event below may be of interest to some on this list. If so, please join us, we’ll have a half hour of open discussion and it would be good to hear a range of views. Registration is at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/columbia-institute-for-tele-informati…. Zoom link is provided upon registration. Cheers Bill Drake > > > > > > > > > > > > > Seminars on Global Digital Governance > Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) > Columbia University Business School > https://business.columbia.edu/citi/events/citi-seminars- <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…>g <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…>lobal-digital-governance <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> > > > > Understanding Internet Governance: > Implications for Digital, Data, and AI Governance > Wednesday, May 28, 2025 > 11:00-12:30 EDT / UTC - 4 > > > > Register Here <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> > > June 2025 is the 20th anniversary of the report by the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…>). Convened by the UN Secretary General to help resolve key questions that were blocking the World Summit on the Information Society negotiations, the WGIG produced a report that inter alia advanced a broad and holistic “working definition” of Internet governance and proposed the establishment of the Internet Governance Forum with the same character. The definition highlighted that Internet governance involves shared frameworks developed by both states and stakeholders for both the underlying infrastructure and its diverse uses. The WGIG’s recommendations helped to deescalate a divisive battle over intergovernmental vs. multistakeholder governance and were incorporated into the negotiated outcome, and the definition has been invoked as foundational in UN processes and beyond ever since. > > But while governments and stakeholders signed onto the WGIG’s understanding of Internet governance in 2005, the international debates and politics over the twenty years since suggest that commitment to it has not been uniform or deep. The balance between intergovernmental and multistakeholder approaches has remained contested, and attention to improving the design of institutions has been limited. This has special salience today not only because the UN is reviewing the World Summit’s twenty-year implementation in order to determine the next steps, but also because we are once again in a period where there are pressures to establish new international governance mechanisms. In and outside the UN, there are multiple processes underway concerning the governance of the digital economy, data, and artificial intelligence that are raising challenges akin to those confronted in the Internet governance battles of the past. > > Among the questions worth exploring in this context are: 1) Has the WGIG’s understanding of Internet governance stood the test of time? What are its strengths and weaknesses, and with the benefit of hindsight would a similar exercise produce the same results today? 2) To what extent is the approach taken in 2005 useful in addressing the contemporary push for governance of the digital economy, data, and artificial intelligence? Are there lessons to be learned that would assist in managing the analytical and political challenges? 3) What are the implications of the new governance debates for the Internet Governance Forum and related institutions? > > This webinar will explore these questions. A panel of WGIG veterans will lead off the conversation, and then the rest of the session will be devoted to open discussion among all interested attendees. At the June 2026 Internet Governance Forum meeting in Norway, a larger WGIG+20 session <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> will build upon this discussion. > > Introduction of the topic > > Eli Noam <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is Paul Garrett Professor of Public Policy and Business Responsibility, Emeritus, and Director of the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information at Columbia Business School. > > Moderator > > William J. Drake <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is Director of International Studies at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. He was a member of the WGIG and edited open access books produced by some of its members in 2005 <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> and in 2015 <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…>. > > Panelists > > Avri Doria <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is an independent researcher and consultant. She has served on the Board of Directors and chaired the GNSO Council of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and was a member of the WGIG, the UN Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation, and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the Internet Governance Forum. In the technical community, Doria is a member of the Internet Engineering Task Force’s Ombudsteam and has been chair of the Internet Research Task Force’s Routing Research Group and founder and co-chair of the Research Group on Human Rights Protocol Considerations. (USA) > > Wolfgang Kleinwächter <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is Professor Emeritus of International Communication Policy and Regulation at the University of Aarhus. He was a member of ICANN’s Board of Directors, served as Special Ambassador for the NETmundial Initiative, is the founder and Chair of the European Summer School on Internet Governance, and was a member of the Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace and of the WGIG. (Germany) > > Markus Kummer <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is an Internet governance and policy expert with extensive experience in government, the United Nations, Internet institutions and non-governmental organizations. Currently, he is Senior Advisor to the Geneva Internet Platform and the DiploFoundation. Previously, he served on the ICANN’s Board of Directors, as Vice-President of the Internet Society, and as a Swiss diplomat. From 2004-2011, he worked for the United Nations, first as Executive Coordinator of the WGIG and subsequently as Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat supporting the Internet Governance Forum. (Switzerland) > > Vittorio Bertola <https://fu8bm8rab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eViFJfKEoxKq7TGNOhJU9l_PIABYqwVEDu…> is the Head of Policy & Innovation at Open-Xchange, a leading provider of open source email and DNS solutions, where he follows regulatory and standardization developments advocating an open Internet based on user choice, privacy, and federation and contributing to the European Union's digital autonomy efforts. In the last twenty-five years, he was involved with several Internet startups and served in many Internet governance organizations, including ICANN’s Board of Directors and the WGIG. (Italy) > > > >

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Share Your Thoughts: The IGF We Want
by Carlos Reyes May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Hello, WSIS+20 Outreach Network. ICANN has developed a working draft of The IGF We Want. See PDF attached. The document reflects what ICANN has heard in the past several months. Please review it and share your thoughts and suggestions on this mailing list. We welcome your input and look forward to the discussion. Best, Carlos Carlos Reyes Senior Policy Director Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Washington, D.C. Engagement Center

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