The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has been granted permanent status within the United Nations, complete with its own dedicated budget, following a resolution adopted by the Leadership Panel and Chair of the IGF.
This milestone, along with several other significant resolutions, marked the conclusion of the 19th session of the IGF, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2024. The event saw over 10,000 participants, both onsite and virtual, engage under the theme, "Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future."
Vinton Cerf, Chair of the IGF 2024 panel, called for greater inclusion by recommending that attendees with disabilities be provided with badges identifying their specific needs. He also emphasised involving persons with disabilities in planning sessions to ensure that accessibility standards are fully implemented at venues.
The Riyadh Declaration highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), secure digital identities, and online safety in fostering a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive digital future.
During the opening session at the King Abdulaziz Conference Centre, Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), reflected on the evolution of the internet since 2005. She noted its significant impact on sectors such as agriculture and business while identifying affordability as a major challenge, particularly in African countries, where internet infrastructure remains costly. She stressed the need for investments in affordable solutions to bridge this gap.
Digital resilience emerged as another critical focus, with calls to strengthen infrastructure and governance mechanisms. Issues such as cyberattacks, cable damage, and climate-related disasters were noted as pressing challenges affecting connectivity and requiring urgent action. Ms Bogdan-Martin also underlined the importance of moving beyond discussions to concrete actions, as a third of the global population remains digitally unconnected, making digital inclusion an economic necessity.
Over the five-day event, workshops and panel discussions delved into various aspects of digital security, with AI’s transformative potential taking centre stage. Participants explored strategies to mitigate its risks while ensuring the internet remains secure and inclusive for all.
The 2025 IGF, set to take place in Switzerland, will review two decades of progress under the WSIS+20 Agenda and shape a forward-looking vision for the internet that aligns with the principles of the Global Digital Compact.
By Jolenta Rose Afanwi in Riyadh
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