Things change, and governments change. This happens all the time, but of course it matters more when such a powerful state is involved.  As Bill says, it is a new environment.

That is precisely why we do need an international system, with internationally agreed norms and standards. That a powerful government like the US shows lack of support for this system and these norms just affirms  the importance of having such a system, even if it does also challenge its sustainability.  It might even create the opportunity for a more level multilateral playing field that - in a good case scenario -  create new opportunities for global South/Majority member states and for new North/South alliances - particularly around topics like climate change/environmental sustainability/social inclusion/fair trade.

In response to Jordan's question.... we continue doing what we have been doing, but smartly and creatively.  We strengthen existing alliances and build new ones. There are still many member states - in the developed and developing worlds - that tech community and civil society people/organisations can work with collaboratively.  As for the private sector....  the way in which US-based tech companies are shedding adherence to human rights (other than to a simplistic notion of so-called free speech) is creating an opportunity for businesses that do care about people and the planet to come forward, show leadership, and join forces with those who really care about inclusive multistakeholder approaches to tech governance. 

We work with governments that care about inclusion and rights and we challenge and hold accountable those who don't. And we remember that no government is monolithic.. it is almost always possible to find people within "hostile" governments to work with. We just have to do it with more nuance and sensitivity.

It it is also not as if the US government has been the worlds greatest supporter of the WSIS goals, or of global development.... in fact the US has pretty consistently pushed back and tried to contain commitments to debt relief, access to knowledge, access to medicines, open source, net neutrality etc.

Of course losing the US as an ally in the Human Rights Council, and in some of the WSIS negotiations on some aspects of the WSIS such as the renewal of the IGF's mandate, for example, will have a massive impact, but it might also galvanise other states to be more effective in countering this impact. In business and human rights discussions I don't think the US will be missed all that much.. but the human rights people can correct me on that :)

Personally what I will miss most, should it come to that, are several of the individuals in US missions, the State Department and other US government agencies that we have been working with in this space over the past decades/years; people that I have learnt from and whom I value - even if I did not always agree with them.

What about ICANN itself? Any risks to its autonomy as an institution? Or is the fact that it is incorporated under California State Law sufficient protection?

Is it perhaps time to think of an IANA Transition 2.0? 

:)

Anriette (in my personal capacity)

Anriette Esterhuysen - anriette@apc.org//anriette@gmail.com
Senior advisor global and regional internet governance
Association for Progressive Communications
www.apc.org//afrisig.org
On 2025/03/08 21:26, Jordan Carter via wsis20 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>
Sent: Saturday, March 8, 2025 8:43:04 AM
To: Israel Rosas <rosas@isoc.org>
Cc: wsis20@icann.org <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> 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.


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


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