Farzaneh, I appreciate this very thoughtful response. Best, Paul ________________________________ From: farzaneh badii via wsis20 <wsis20@icann.org> Sent: Sunday, March 9, 2025 8:12 AM To: Jordan Carter <jordan.carter@auda.org.au> Cc: wsis20@icann.org <wsis20@icann.org> Subject: [wsis20] Re: [EXTERNAL] - Re: Data point: Shift in USG position regarding the SDGs Well Jordan, I don't have a good answer but I think we should "panic responsibly" (I borrowed that from another field). In order to panic responsibly we should read the whole document and not excerpts. Also acknowledge that SDGs were always aspirational, even during Obama's. Budget cuts are already happening across the UN agencies. While it's concerning, we have to think about how Internet governance institutions can be affected. On the bright side, we don't operate in a multilateral fashion so is it too naive to think the multistakeholder bottom up model of the Internet could actually be a little more resilient? ICANN's multistakeholder model has reassured tech companies and users that it can weather geopolitical conflicts. We didn't remove .RU from the root zone. We don't get involved with content moderation and destabilize the root zone. I know I said we should read the whole document... but I naively think the beginning of this statement <https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-the-un-meeting-entitled-58th-plenary-m...> can help us panic less: "We firmly support individual rights as expressed through freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief. They are fundamental to America’s security and the promotion of tolerance, mutual respect, and peace around the world." Farzaneh On Sat, Mar 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM Jordan Carter via wsis20 <wsis20@icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org>> wrote: Bill, all… what is it we need to do, then, in your view? Cheers Jordan Jordan Carter — .au Domain Administration +61-417-243-647 on Signal or iMessage ________________________________ From: William Drake via wsis20 <wsis20@icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org>> Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:43:04 AM To: Israel Rosas <rosas@isoc.org<mailto:rosas@isoc.org>> Cc: wsis20@icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org> <wsis20@icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org>> Subject: [EXTERNAL] - [wsis20] Re: Data point: Shift in USG position regarding the SDGs Hi Isra Needless to say, this is more than a data point, it’s a new environment. Probably they’re just getting started and there’s lots more stuff laying around waiting to be broken. According to a State Dept report I read yesterday, as of FY 2022 the US pays 22% of the overall UN budget (not counting arrears) and over $21 billion to 179 international organizations and multilateral entities (85% voluntary funds, 15% assessed). As the cultural revolution’s march through the institutions proceeds, one has to assume the administration will claim to find lots more “woke/DEI/waste, fraud and abuse” in those budgets, as well as lots more treaties and agreements to abandon. Taking a "business as usual" approach to WSIS20 and related might lead to some surprises down the road... Cheers Bill On Mar 7, 2025, at 3:22 PM, Israel Rosas via wsis20 <wsis20@icann.org<mailto:wsis20@icann.org>> wrote: Hi all, I'd like to bring your attention to the remarks delivered on 4 March by the US Minister Counselor to ECOSOC regarding the USG position about the Agenda 2030. This is a significant shift that can have serious implications in the WSIS+20 review, particularly in a context where many of us have advocated for the Internet as a force for good that helps advance global development. The remarks are located here: https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-the-un-meeting-entitled-58th-plenary-m... A couple of concerning extracts: "We have a concern that this resolution is a reaffirmation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although framed in neutral language, Agenda 2030 and the SDGs advance a program of soft global governance that is inconsistent with U.S. sovereignty and adverse to the rights and interests of Americans." "Put simply, globalist endeavors like Agenda 2030 and the SDGs lost at the ballot box. Therefore, the United States rejects and denounces the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and it will no longer reaffirm them as a matter of course." Best, Isra Isra Rosas, Director, Partnerships and Internet Development Internet Society _______________________________________________ Learn more about the WSIS+20 Outreach Network and review relevant resources: https://go.icann.org/wsis20 Read the public archives for this mailing list: 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://www.icann.org/privacy/policy) and the website Terms of Service (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. This email originated from outside the firm. Please use caution.