Internet Governance Forum Wraps Up

The 15-18 November Internet Governance Forum finished work yesterday, and the official press release and wrap-up notes have been circulated by the United Nations, which organises the annual talk shop. There is no single body governing the making of internet policy and the forum is barred from engaging in policymaking.

According to the UN release, this year’s IGF, held in Egyptian resort town Sharm El-Sheikh, had the largest turnout ever, some 1,800 people from 112 countries, and more than 100 side events. The end of the forum’s five-year mandate is 2010, and the next IGF will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania from 14-17 September. Consultations with conference participants were held by Sha Zukang, UN undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs, about the possible continuation of the IGF mandate. Sha’s report will be presented to the UN Secretary General and the recommendation communicated to the UN General Assembly. It was not clear how non-participants were able to give their views on continuation or improvements.

The UN said: “Most of the speakers who supported improvements would like the IGF to refocus its attention on certain points such as international public policy issues; capacity-building; participation by developing countries; improved transparency; improved communications; improved remote participation; creating a data base for best practices; more visibility for outcomes, and possibly the ability to make recommendations.”

While there appeared to be significant amounts of praise for the IGF and encouragement for its continuance, an accompanying UN highlights document said, “Representatives from China and Saudi Arabia, while welcoming the success of the IGF in promoting dialogue on issues of internet governance, said it had not met expectations as regards enhanced cooperation for developing countries in the area of internet governance, as called for in the Tunis Agenda [2005 WSIS]. They also stressed the failure to resolve the issue of unilateral control of critical internet resources. They thought more work was necessary in these areas.

The IGF arose as a recommendation of the 2003-2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which also contained substantive goals for improving global participation and benefit from the internet.

UN press release here.

UN Highlights document here.