Multistakeholder digital governance beyond 20…

This session will assess the functioning of the multistakeholder approach to Internet and digital governance and explore strategies to reinforce it amid evolving technological and societal changes. Drawing on evidence-based insights from experts affiliated with over 176 national, regional, and youth IGFs (NRIs), the session will aim to reaffirm core principles such as inclusiveness, openness, and transparency, while examining the successes and limitations of the multistakeholder approach. Special attention will be given to identifying concrete proposals to enhance global digital cooperation, including adapting governance structures to new technological developments, such as the evolution of web protocols and new and emerging technologies. With 5.4 billion people now online, strengthening multistakeholder collaboration is essential for building an inclusive digital future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Finally, the session will highlight the tangible impacts of local multistakeholder communities and explore how to engage policymakers, legislators and regulators more effectively in order to ensure their active participation in multistakeholder processes at all levels.

Speakers:
The session is open to all stakeholders for active participation. Before the floor is opened for general requests to speak, the following experts, designated by the NRIs Multistakeholder Organizing Committees, and endorsed by the global NRIs network, will set the stage.

• Ms. Nithati Moorosi, Minister, Ministry of Information, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lesotho | Lesotho IGF
• Mr. Declan McDermott, Internet Policy & Regulatory Affairs Manager, .ie, Ireland | Ireland IGF
• Ms. Agustina Ordoñez, Chief of Advisors to a Deputy in the National Congress in Argentina and Coordinator of the Gender and Public Policy Forum at Yale University, Argentina | Argentina IGF
• Ms. Joyce Chen, Senior Advisor-Strategic Relations, APNIC, Australia/Singapore | APrIGF
• Mr. Byron Holland, President and CEO, Cira, Canada | Canada IGF
• Ms. Sarai Faleupolu Tevita, Chief Operating Officer, National University of Samoa, Samoa | Pacific IGF
• Mr. Qusai Al Shatti, Deputy Chairman, Kuwait Information Technology, Kuwait | Arab IGF

Onsite moderator: Ms. Christine Arida, Strategic Advisor to the Executive President and Board Member at the National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt | North Africa IGF, Arab IGF
Online moderator: Ms. Lily Edinam Botsyoe, Ghana Youth IGF
Rapporteurs: Mr. Sameer Gahlot, Southeast Asian Youth IGF; Ms. Martha Negedu, Nigeria IGF; Mr. Ernest Mafuta, Zambia IGF