Sharing my take on the elements paper. Looking forward to hearing more from others both in person at IGF in Norway and online.
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The upfront/intro section is decent in terms of laying out the current environment, the processes so far and includes fulsome multistakeholder references. This chapeau context is important to keep in mind as you review each of the subsequent 15 sections.
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The general structure of the first half of the issues listed (the first 7) is that each section seems to have a clear structure of: here is the issue, recognition of improvements and identifications of challenges since WSIS, and then closes with a specific
feedback question.
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Nice call out to ICANN and the work on IDNs in para 33, under bridging the digital divide.
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This structural approach differs in the second half of the elements paper (the remaining 8 sections) starting with the human rights section, so this includes the Internet governance section. In this second half, the approach taken does not clearly describe
the progress since WSIS per topic, but it does indicate proposals will be coming and then describes at some level the scope of proposals. This can come across a bit more prescriptive. Unclear why or if this is indicative of anything. Perhaps different staff
drafters/leads per section?
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On Internet governance the text seems to me to be a bit of a mixed bag.
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Paragraph 59 is 2003 text without the previously agreed contextual qualifiers, so it appears very stark. It does not even update to the agreed WSIS+10 language and seems inconsistent with opening section on multistakeholder. “The governance of the Internet
should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organisations.”
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59 should be seen as coupled with paragraph 63 on enhanced cooperation which is also a throwback to 2003/2005 and does not recognize all the work on enhanced cooperation over 20 years including the CSTD working group. “Enhanced cooperation is critical to enabling
governments on an equal footing to carry out their roles and responsibilities in international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet.”
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Paragraph 60 is clear on the IGF though. “The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has become an established forum for discussion and its importance as the primary multi-stakeholder platform for discussion of Internet governance issues has been recognized.”
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As with the second half of the paper there are no specific feedback questions included, but there is a clear indication in paragraphs 62 and 64 that zero draft will include proposals on IGF mandate and renewal as well as enhanced cooperation.
Section by Section
Information and communications technologies for development
“Feedback is sought on ways to strengthen digital capacity, foster inclusion, and ensure equitable digital development for all.”
Digital Economy
“Feedback is invited on how to close structural gaps, support small enterprises, and ensure fair access to digital opportunities for sustainable development.”
Social and cultural development
“Feedback is invited on how to expand inclusive access to digital services, address data protection risks, and strengthen national strategies for equitable digital transformation.”
Environmental impacts
“Feedback is encouraged on ways to reduce the sector’s environmental impact, including advancing circular economy approaches, improving recycling, and setting sustainability standards for digital technologies.”
Bridging digital divides
“Bridging digital divides across and within countries will remain a central priority of WSIS. We invite reflections on how the WSIS +20 review can contribute towards achieving this”
The enabling environment
“Feedback is welcomed on how to strengthen integrated digital policies, ensure legal coherence across sectors, and promote innovation while safeguarding rights and public interests.”
Financial mechanisms
“Feedback is invited on enhancing international support, increasing targeted financing, and ensuring equitable access to resources for inclusive digital transformation.”
Human rights and ethical dimensions of the Information Society
No feedback question
Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs
“We invite proposals in this section on augmenting confidence and security in the use of ICTs in line with existing processes and platforms.”
Internet governance
“The mandate of IGF is subject to this review and proposals on the renewal of its mandate will be presented in the zero draft.”
“The Zero draft will consider proposals on how to work towards the improvement of enhanced cooperation as envisaged in the Tunis Agenda.”
Data governance
“Proposals on data governance will be presented in the zero draft, taking into consideration the ongoing process working group on data governance for development established by CSTD that will report to the General Assembly in 2026”
Artificial Intelligence
“Proposals on Artificial Intelligence will be presented in the zero draft, taking into consideration implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the need to ascertain a relationship between GDC implementation and WSIS”
Capacity development
“The zero draft will explore how to improve capacity building, including by strengthening coherence and coordination between existing mechanisms, establishing new capacity building programs, and other options. We invite ideas and reflections on how to strengthen
capacity building in the WSIS +20 Review”
Monitoring and measurement
“Proposals concerning monitoring and measurement will be included in the zero draft following consideration of responses to the consultation on this Elements Paper.”
Follow-up and review
“Proposals concerning follow-up to the 2025 review will be included in the zero draft following consideration of responses to the consultation on this Elements Paper.”
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Fiona Alexander
Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence, School of International Service
Distinguished Fellow, Internet Governance Lab
Executive Advisor, Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute
American University