Opening Ceremony

Summary

The transcript captures the official opening ceremony of the 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, held in Lillestrøm, Norway, marking two decades of multi-stakeholder collaboration on internet governance. The ceremony featured opening remarks from UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, who introduced a video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasizing that digital cooperation has evolved from a “bold aspiration” to an “absolute necessity.” Guterres highlighted key challenges including bridging the digital divide, countering online hate speech, and addressing the concentration of digital power in few hands.

Norwegian Minister Karianne Tung and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed participants, emphasizing Norway’s commitment to democratic values, transparency, and human rights both offline and online. The Prime Minister stressed that the internet should remain “a public trust” and “global public good” that is open, free, and accessible to all. Multiple stakeholders then presented diverse perspectives on digital governance challenges and opportunities.

President Dharambeer Gokhool of Mauritius advocated for an ethical, citizen-centric internet ecosystem, while European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen outlined the EU’s three-pillar international digital strategy focusing on partnerships, technology deployment, and rules-based governance. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt argued for stronger AI governance, emphasizing that digital data should belong to individuals rather than being controlled solely by profit-driven companies.

Other speakers included representatives from ITU, ICANN, UNESCO, TikTok, civil society organizations, and the Holy See, each contributing unique perspectives on building inclusive, trustworthy, and human-centered digital governance. The ceremony concluded with calls for continued collaboration to ensure technology serves humanity’s collective interests while protecting fundamental rights and values.

Keypoints

## Major Discussion Points:

– **20th Anniversary Milestone and WSIS+20 Review**: The forum celebrates 20 years of the Internet Governance Forum and coincides with the World Summit on Information Society Plus 20 review, marking a critical moment to assess progress and chart the future of digital governance.

– **Multi-stakeholder Governance Model**: Strong emphasis on maintaining and strengthening the collaborative approach involving governments, civil society, private sector, technical community, and academia in shaping internet governance, with calls to protect this inclusive model against centralization.

– **Digital Divide and Universal Access**: Persistent concerns about 2.6 billion people still being offline, the need for meaningful connectivity, affordable access, and ensuring digital transformation benefits developing countries and marginalized communities.

– **AI Governance and Ethical Technology**: Extensive discussion on the need for responsible AI development, ethical frameworks, transparency, and human-centered approaches to emerging technologies, with warnings against unregulated AI development driven solely by market forces.

– **Digital Rights and Human Dignity**: Emphasis on protecting fundamental human rights in digital spaces, ensuring technology serves humanity rather than the reverse, and maintaining human agency in an increasingly automated world.

## Overall Purpose:

The discussion serves as the official opening ceremony for IGF 2025, bringing together global stakeholders to reaffirm commitment to inclusive, multi-stakeholder internet governance while addressing contemporary challenges like AI, digital divides, and the need for ethical technology development.

## Overall Tone:

The tone is consistently formal, diplomatic, and optimistic yet cautionary. Speakers maintain a celebratory atmosphere acknowledging 20 years of progress while expressing serious concerns about current challenges. The tone remains collaborative and forward-looking throughout, with calls for unity and shared responsibility, though some speakers inject urgency about addressing digital inequalities and preventing technological dystopia.

Speakers

**Speakers from the provided list:**

– **Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik** – Master of Ceremony, Host/Moderator for the Internet Governance Forum 2025

– **Li Junhua** – Undersecretary of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

– **Antonio Guterres** – United Nations Secretary General (video message)

– **Karianne Tung** – Minister of Digitization and Public Governance, Norway

– **Jonas Gahr Store** – Prime Minister of Norway (video message)

– **Dharambeer Gokhool** – President of the Republic of Mauritius

– **Henna Virkkunen** – Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

– **Joseph Gordon-Levitt** – Actor, producer and founder of HitRecord

– **Doreen Bogdan-Martin** – Secretary General for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (video link)

– **Krzysztof Gostkowski** – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Poland

– **Kurtis Lindqvist** – President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

– **Tawfik Jelassi** – Assistant Director General for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

– **Lisa Hayes** – Head of Safety, Public Policy, and Senior Counsel for TikTok

– **Nandini Chami** – Representative from the Global Digital Justice Forum and Deputy Director for IT for Change

– **Lucio Adrian Ruiz** – Secretary for the Dicastery for Communication from the Holy See

**Additional speakers:**

None – all speakers mentioned in the transcript are included in the provided speakers names list.

# Report: Opening Ceremony of the 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025

## Executive Summary

The 20th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 opened in Lillestrøm, Norway, bringing together world leaders, international organization representatives, civil society advocates, and private sector executives to address current challenges in digital governance. The ceremony coincided with the World Summit on Information Society Plus 20 (WSIS+20) review and emphasized the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance, with speakers consistently highlighting the need for human-centered digital policies, ethical AI governance, and bridging the digital divide.

## Opening Context and UN Leadership

**Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik** served as Master of Ceremony, welcoming participants to the milestone 20th anniversary forum. **Li Junhua**, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, positioned the forum within the context of the WSIS+20 review and the recently adopted Global Digital Compact. He emphasized that digital cooperation has evolved from “a bold aspiration” to “an absolute necessity and shared responsibility,” noting that the IGF now attracts over 10,000 participants annually and has spawned 176 national and regional initiatives worldwide.

**António Guterres**, UN Secretary-General, delivered a video message emphasizing urgency in digital governance: “As digital risks accelerate, so must we.” He outlined priority areas including achieving universal connectivity by 2030, closing skills gaps, countering online hate speech, promoting information integrity, and addressing the concentration of digital power. Guterres stressed that the internet must remain “rooted in dignity, opportunity, and human rights.”

## Host Country Perspectives

**Jonas Gahr Støre**, Prime Minister of Norway, emphasized Norway’s commitment to maintaining the internet as “a public trust” and “global public good.” He stressed that internet governance should be characterized by “coordination over control” and governed “not by the few, but by all.”

**Karianne Tung**, Norway’s Minister of Digitisation and Public Governance, reinforced these themes while highlighting Norway’s commitment to digital inclusion and rights-based governance guided by democratic values, transparency, and human rights.

## Global South and Development Perspectives

**Dharambeer Gokhool**, President of Mauritius, described his country’s transformation from a monocrop agricultural economy to a diversified digital economy. He emphasized vulnerable populations: “We must collectively aim to avoid a digital divide. High-tech must go together with a human touch… advocating for a multi-stakeholder, people-centric, rights-based internet governance model, or one that ensures no voice is erased, especially those of the most vulnerable components of our society, our children, people with special needs, and our elderly.”

## European Union Strategy

**Henna Virkkunen**, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, outlined the EU’s three-pillar international digital strategy: partnerships with like-minded countries, technology deployment through public-private investments, and establishing a rules-based global digital order rooted in universal human rights and multi-stakeholder governance.

## AI Governance and Technology Perspectives

**Joseph Gordon-Levitt**, actor and founder of HitRecord, challenged market-led approaches to AI governance using social media as a cautionary example: “So the idea is that instead of governing AI according to laws, that we should be developing AI according to the free market… But we know from recent history, this doesn’t work. Look at the last 20 years of another revolutionary technology, social media. Governments largely stayed hands-off with social media.” He argued that “digital data should belong to humans who produce it, with economic value shared with data producers.”

**Lucio Adrian Ruiz**, Secretary for the Dicastery for Communication from the Holy See, provided a philosophical perspective on AI: “We do not consider artificial intelligence to be a subject. It does not think, judge or feel. It is a product of human ingenuity and as such it must be accompanied by moral responsibility.” He declared autonomous weapons systems “ethically unacceptable” and called for governance preventing machines from making life-or-death decisions about humans.

## Technical Community and Infrastructure

**Doreen Bogdan-Martin**, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), highlighted connectivity challenges, noting that 2.6 billion people remain offline, with fixed broadband costing up to a third of household incomes in many regions. She emphasized the need for trustworthy technical standards for responsible AI innovation.

**Kurtis Lindqvist**, President and CEO of ICANN, argued that the multi-stakeholder model “works and needs to be resourced, trusted, and used rather than reinvented.” He emphasized that coordination rather than centralization has enabled the internet’s growth and resilience.

## International Organizations and Civil Society

**Tawfik Jelassi**, Assistant Director-General for UNESCO, emphasized that digital transformation requires “substance over speed, aiming for systems that move better towards equity and sustainability.” He highlighted UNESCO’s recommendation on ethics of artificial intelligence as a framework for 70 countries implementing ethical AI approaches.

**Krzysztof Gostkowski**, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, focused on protecting the IGF’s mandate and ensuring the WSIS+20 process remains “open, inclusive, and reflect voices of all stakeholders, especially from the global south.”

**Lisa Hayes**, Head of Safety, Public Policy for TikTok, advocated for building digital trust through transparency, including publishing reports, opening accountability centers, and localizing data with independent oversight. She emphasized that “digital governance works best when built with others through collaboration.”

**Nandini Chami**, representing the Global Digital Justice Forum, provided a critical perspective on digital progress: “Digital society does not bother to exclude. It ruthlessly renders a significant part of humankind simply irrelevant… 68% of the world’s population may have Internet access, but meaningful universal connectivity is still out of grasp for the majority.” She highlighted “democratic deficits of the present digital order” that “actively harm those at the margins.”

## Key Themes and Consensus

Throughout the ceremony, speakers demonstrated strong consensus on several fundamental principles:

**Multi-stakeholder Governance**: All speakers endorsed the multi-stakeholder model, emphasizing coordination over control and collaboration over centralization.

**Human Rights and Dignity**: Universal agreement that human rights, dignity, and democratic values must be central to digital governance, with technology serving humanity.

**Digital Inclusion**: Consistent identification of bridging the digital divide as a critical priority, with particular attention to vulnerable populations and affordability barriers.

**Ethical AI Governance**: Agreement that AI development requires ethical frameworks and cannot be left to market forces alone, with emphasis on transparency and accountability.

## Looking Forward

Speakers positioned the WSIS+20 review as a critical opportunity to strengthen the multi-stakeholder internet governance model. The Global Digital Compact’s implementation and strengthening the IGF mandate beyond 2025 emerged as immediate priorities. Multiple speakers called for ensuring global digital cooperation benefits developing countries and that local realities inform global priorities.

## Conclusion

The opening ceremony of the 20th Internet Governance Forum demonstrated broad consensus on fundamental principles of internet governance while highlighting the complexity of contemporary digital challenges. The consistent emphasis on multi-stakeholder cooperation, human rights, digital inclusion, and ethical AI governance provides a foundation for addressing implementation challenges. The ceremony established the framework for discussions throughout the forum, emphasizing the need for accelerated action to ensure digital transformation serves human flourishing while maintaining the internet’s openness and accessibility.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Please welcome to the stage, the Master of Ceremony, Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik. Good morning, everybody. A warm welcome. A warm welcome to our guests who are here in Lilystrom joining us, and also to our online guests joining us from all parts of the world globally. My name is Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik. I will be your host, your moderator for today. I would like to welcome you all to the official opening ceremony of the Internet Governance Forum 2025 here in beautiful Norway. It is now my honor to serve as your Master of Ceremonies for this session, and it’s my pleasure also to introduce you and give the floor to Mr. Li Junhua . He’s the Undersecretary of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and he’s going to join us here and just say a few words and introduce the video message by the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres. So without further ado, please, the stage is yours.

Li Junhua: Good morning. His Excellency, Mr. Jonas Gahr Store, the Prime Minister of Norway. Her Excellency, Mr. Karianne Tung, the Minister of Digitalization and the Public Governance of Norway. Your Excellencies, distinguished participants, I have the pleasure to invite the Secretary General, Mr. Guterres, to deliver his video message. Please.

Antonio Guterres: Excellencies, I’m pleased to take part in this Internet Governance Forum, and my thanks to the Kingdom of Norway for hosting. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Forum and its work advancing inclusive collaboration on Internet public policy. Through the years, you have shown how dialogue across sectors, regions, and generations can help shape an Internet that is rooted in dignity, opportunity, and human rights. You are carrying that forward through this year’s focus on building digital governance together, which could not be more timely. Nine months ago, the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact recognized the Internet Governance Forum as the primary multi-stakeholder platform for Internet governance issues. The compact also called for broader participation from developing countries, backed by voluntary funding. Since then, we have begun translating global commitments into concrete action. In New York, negotiations are underway to establish the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance within the United Nations. In Geneva, a new United Nations multi-stakeholder working group is advancing principles on data governance and sustainable development. As digital risks accelerate, so must we. That means bridging the digital divide by expanding affordable, meaningful Internet access to achieve universal connectivity by 2030, closing the skills gap, countering online hate speech, promoting information integrity, tolerance, and respect, addressing the concentration of digital power and decision-making in the hands of a few, and fostering greater diversity, transparency, and trust in digital spaces. Dear friends, two decades ago, the idea of digital cooperation was a bold aspiration. Today, it’s an absolute necessity and a shared responsibility. Let us keep building a digital future that protects, empowers, and includes everyone, everywhere. Happy 20th anniversary. Thank you.

Li Junhua: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary General. I just want to echo the Secretary General’s deep appreciation to an exceptional host for organizing this forum in the record time and also to the entire global digital community. Excellencies, as we gather here today, we stand at the defining moment for digital cooperation. As highlighted by the Secretary General, digital cooperation is an absolute necessity and a shared responsibility. In this context, the 2025 Review of the World Summit on Information Society or WSIS Plus 20 marks a crucial turning point. This year, we also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Internet Governance Forum, IGF, in this beautiful city that’s called Norway, a country deeply committed to openness, human rights, and international cooperation. This location symbolizes our shared aspirations for a digital future that is open, inclusive, safe and secure for all. Two decades after the initial crisis, we returned not just to look back, but to leap forward. It is our chance to reimagine the foundational WSIS principles and action lines for a modern era, integrate the global digital compact, and reaffirm the vital role of technology in advancing sustainable development. The WSIS Plus 20 review also considers renewing and strengthening the IGF. We have much to be proud of. The forum has matured into a premier global platform, gathering over 10,000 participants annually and inspiring 176 national, sub-regional, regional, and youth IGF initiatives worldwide, and fostering year-round preparatory work and voluntary networks. This resilient and inclusive ecosystem is a credit to all of you, each of you. Together, we have engaged global, regional, and local leaders, legislators, and youths across all stakeholders, groups, sectors, and disciplines, and tackled the pressing challenges from AI to cybersecurity to environmental sustainability and gender equality online. This success stands as a testament to our collective efforts, guided by the deep commitment of the 320 members of the multi-stakeholder advisory group and the IGF leadership panel led by Vincent and Maria Rosa. And our pride must be paired with preparedness for the future. As digital threats evolve, we must redouble our efforts to protect the core values of the internet, namely openness, accessibility, affordability, safety, and resilience. As we move through the WSIS Plus 20 review process, I urge all of you to focus on three critical actions. First, engage deeply with the local and the regional IGF to ensure the global priorities reflect the local realities. Second, champion equality to guarantee that global digital cooperation benefits the developing and underdeveloped countries. Third, advance the sustainable development goals through the inclusive digital transformation. Let us work together to mark the coming days truly productive and inspiring. Let this year’s IGF, in Lead Less Strong, be a milestone moment that we decisively advance towards a digital future rooted in trust, equity, and human dignity. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you, Mr. Li Junhua , and also to Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the opening address and also wonderful cultural collaboration, musical performance to start off this beautiful morning rooted in traditional music and really exemplifying one of the spirits of this meeting that we’re having here in Norway, the Internet Governance Forum 2025, which is partnership and collaboration. So, in the spirit of that, I would like to introduce and give the word to Karianne Tung. She’s the Minister of Digitization and Public Governance to say a few words and also to introduce the video message by Norway’s Prime Minister, Mr. Jonas Gahr Store. Minister, the floor is yours.

Karianne Tung: Thank you so much. Excellencies, distinguished guests, dear friends, it is really a true pleasure for me to welcoming you to the opening of the 20th Internet Governance Forum here in Norway. As Minister for Digitalization and Public Governance, I am proud that our country is given the opportunity to host this milestone edition of IGF. On behalf of the Norwegian government, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNDESA, and also to the IGF Secretariat for entrusting us with this important responsibility. It is really a great honor. Norway is deeply committed to democratic values, transparency and human rights, both offline and online. These values are at the heart of how we approach digital governance. Today’s forum gathers voices from every corner of the world, governments, civil society, academia, the private sector and the technical community. This unique model of multi-stakeholder dialogue is more important than ever. We are living through a time of profound change. The Internet, once seen as a great equalizer, now reflects many of the tensions that we see globally. Questions of trust, openness and digital freedom are not just technical issues. These are societal questions and deeply human ones. At the same time, we see power of how digital technologies can connect, can inspire and can contribute to solving huge societal challenges, global challenges. And that’s, dear friend, that’s exactly why we are gathered here at IGF. This IGF is about more than infrastructure and innovation. It is about values, about responsibility, about shared ambition for a digital future that works for all. And to open this important week, it is now my honor to introduce a special message from Norway’s Prime Minister, Mr. Jonas Garstøre. He is a strong voice for democracy, dialogue and digital responsibility. And he’s a firm believer in the power of international cooperation. Please join me, dear friends, in welcoming his video message. Thank you, everyone. And once again, welcome to Norway and welcome to IGF 2025.

Jonas Gahr Store: Dear friends, it is a great pleasure for me to heartily welcome you all to Norway and to the 20th Internet Governance Forum. It is really a great honor for my country, for Norway, to host such a milestone gathering. You are now visiting a nation deeply committed to democracy, transparency and human rights, including the critical freedom of expression. Therefore, we are proud to provide a space where the whole wide world can come together to discuss and shape the future of our digital lives. We are all concerned and covered by that. Two decades ago, the IGF was born from a bold vision that the Internet, which is a force shaping our world, should be governed not by the few, but by all. Today, I believe that vision is more important than ever. We gather in a time of global turbulence and a lot of polarization. Trust in media platforms, in news and information, even in government agencies, is strained. In parts of Europe and the Middle East, people live in a time of bloody war. So, the digital realm, once a symbol of openness and opportunities, of networks and people coming together, is increasingly marked by fragmentation, surveillance, disinformation and also misinformation. Yet, even in this fractured climate, the Internet remains a powerful connector and social actor. The Internet bridges borders, amplifies voices and fuels innovation. Let us not forget that. The Internet is no longer a frontier, it is the foundation of economies, of democracies and of our daily lives for all generations. transformative technologies accelerate, like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, we must ask not only what we can build, but what we need to protect. And here I believe that we must safeguard the internet not as a possession, but as a public trust, a shared space to remain open, free, and accessible to all, a global public good. The next generation should inherit a digital common where perspectives are welcomed, ideas are nurtured, and technology serves mankind to the benefit of all. Our task is not only to protect the infrastructure of the internet, but to uphold its spirit, which is one of inclusion and powerful innovation. So dear friends, this large forum that you now constitute embodies that spirit. It brings together all voices not to compete, but to listen, to collaborate, and to build together. As we celebrate 20 years of dialogue and progress, may this forum ignite these ideas, knowledge, and alliances that will define the next 20 years. We are proud to host you in Norway. We hope you will have an enjoyable stay, meaningful stay, and I wish you all very pleasant and productive work. And thank you for your attention. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Thank you also to Minister Tung. I would like to now, and that rounds off the official opening ceremony, but we are going to be starting with the official opening session, hearing from multiple stakeholders in the spirit of collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships. But before that, I would like to invite Minister Tung, as well as Minister Li Junhua back onto stage to please have a photograph up on stage. Thank you so much. In the spirit of IGF, a global, inclusive, and multi-stakeholder platform, and multi-stakeholder is a word that has come up again and again in our conversations yesterday, we will now hear statements from stakeholders representing diverse regions and backgrounds. And without further ado, I would like to introduce the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to introduce our first speaker. Please join me in giving a very warm Norwegian global welcome, with warm applause, to the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr. Dharambeer Gokhool

Dharambeer Gokhool: The Prime Minister, government, and people of Norway, Honourable Minister Tung, Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance, Excellencies, distinguished guests, delegates, ladies and gentlemen, all protocol observed. Good morning. Let me start by congratulating the artists who performed before us in a breathtaking manner. Please. I would like to associate myself as well with the previous speakers for their very thoughtful contributions on the occasions of IGF25. Ladies and gentlemen, once again, good morning and warm greetings to organizers, delegates, and participants to IGF2025, from the government and people of the beautiful small island of Indian Ocean, the Republic of Mauritius. The recent agreement between the government of Mauritius and UK over full sovereignty to be exercised by Mauritius over the Chagos archipelago, including the island of Digogastia, has once again put Mauritius in the limelight and has transformed our island into an open ocean state. And I thank all friendly countries who supported us in our struggle. This historic agreement has doubled our economic zone to over 4 million square kilometers and opened the doors for new hopes for a better future for the people of Mauritius. Ladies and gentlemen, with its history of over 350 years, visited by the Arabs, Portuguese, and Dutch, and then successively colonized by the French and the British with its early development, shaped by slaves and indentured laborers brought from different parts of the world, Mauritius gained its independence in 1968 and acceded to the status of republic in 1992. With the support of a diverse, multicultural, multi-ethnic population, often referred to as a mini United Nation, combined with inspirational leaders imbued with democratic values, Mauritius has been able to transform its monocrop economy, based exclusively on agriculture, to a diversified economy with tourism, manufacturing, and global business as its main pillars, with a per capita income of some US dollars, 13,000. Many economies have been through economic transition and transformation by leveraging the power and potential of technology. We are today on the threshold of a new phase of our development, where digital technologies and AI will be the main driver for economic growth and shared prosperity. On 26 May this year, I launched the Mauritius Digital Transformation Blueprint 2025-2029 for Mauritius. Ladies and gentlemen, Mauritius is committed to build an ethical, citizen-centric internet AI ecosystem anchored in safety, transparency, respecting human rights, and aligned with internationally recognized internet AI frameworks. In view of the exponential growth of internet and AI and its far-reaching implications, economic, technological, political, cultural, this IGF conference, with its overarching theme of building digital governance together, could not have been more timely. Its multi-stakeholder approach provides the ideal platform for sharing of ideas and experiences on the internet and AI and its future, keeping in mind what best serves the interests of humanity at large. We need signposts of where we are and where we are heading in order to avoid repeating mistakes of the past, where the cost of development can be much higher than its benefits. We must collectively aim to avoid a digital divide. High-tech must go together with a human touch. I have no doubt that this conference will come up with valuable insights, proposals, and recommendations to guide internet policies and practices for the benefit of all. Mauritius stands in solidarity with all countries, advocating for a multi-stakeholder, people-centric, rights-based internet governance model, or one that ensures no voice is erased, especially those of the most vulnerable components of our society, our children, people with special needs, and our elderly. Also, no country is sidelined and that we can come together, work together, to build a consensual digital governance architecture. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank the organizers and the government and people of Norway for their warm hospitality and wish the conference fruitful deliberations and meaningful conclusions. My thanks go to UN and Mr. Mahendra Basgopal of Khali Movement for facilitating my participation at this conference. Ladies and gentlemen, with these words, I thank you for your attention. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you so much, President Gokhool, for reminding us also that in this transformation, as in any transition and transformation, no one should be left behind. And with that, I would like to introduce our next stakeholder, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. Please join me in giving a warm Oslo and global welcome to Ms. Henna Virkkunen.

Henna Virkkunen: Honourable participants, ladies and gentlemen, it’s a great pleasure to be here and welcome you to Europe. I want to thank very much the government of Norway and the United Nations for their invitation to this opening ceremony. And a special thank to you, to all forum participants, governments, civil society, technical experts, academia and the private sector for joining us today. Your diverse perspectives are exactly what makes the Internet Governance Forum so important. In times of geopolitical uncertainty, this forum is a cornerstone of an inclusive and democratic digital order. We gather at a very important moment here. Digital transformation is reshaping every aspect of our lives, how we learn, how we work, how we govern and how we connect. But at the same time, we face big global challenges, digital divides, fragmentation, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological shifts. So 2025 is a very important year. The World Summit on the Information Society plus 20 review, the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and the debates on AI governance will define the next decade. We must take an advantage of this moment to shape an open, inclusive and trusted global digital governance. As a contribution to this, we in the European Union have just adopted earlier this month, a new international digital strategy implemented with partners all over the world. It rests on three pillars. First, we will deepen and expand our international digital partnerships through cooperation and dialogue with our close partners and beyond. We aim to boost our respective tech competitiveness, innovation and also cooperate on regulatory approaches and secure digital infrastructures or cybersecurity. And second, we will deploy an EU tech business offer to partner countries, notably in Africa, Latin America or Asia. We will do so by combining EU’s private and public sector investments, notably through our global gateway to support the digital transition of our partner countries, incorporating components such as AI factories, investment in secure and trusted connectivity and public infrastructure as well, and trusted digital identities and also cybersecurity. And third, we as the European Union, we commit firmly to a rules-based global digital order, which is rooted in universal human rights, openness and the multi-stakeholder model of governance. So the EU remains a solid supporter of the Internet Governance Forum, and we strongly support its mandate beyond 2025 and actively also participate in shaping the outcome of the YEC’s 20 plus review. At the heart of this strategy is the recognition of the headline themes at this year’s forum, digital inclusion and equity, digital public goods and infrastructure, human rights in the digital age, also standards and sovereignty, as well as trust, safety and resilience online. Each one speaks to the kind of digital future we must build. A future that serves all the people, not just a few, and that empowers also the most vulnerable to participate, innovate and thrive. These themes link directly to the sustainable development goals and to the lived realities of billions. So the multi-stakeholder community gathered here today is a proof that inclusive, transparent and participatory digital governance, it’s not only possible, it’s already underway. With these words, dear participants, I wish you all a very successful and fruitful Internet Governance Forum here in Lilleström.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you, Ms. Virkkunen, for your powerful message there and calls to action, and also a housekeeping rule. Thank you to all our speakers we invite up to. Thank you for cooperating with us. We know that these are big subjects to tackle and big questions to answer, but we do appreciate that you keep within your four-minute allocated time. So thank you so much for that. And without further ado, I would like to invite our next guest and speaker up. He is an actor, producer and founder of HitRecord, Mr. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The stage is yours.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It’s the first time I’ve ever been any kind of function of the United Nations, and I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited about it. Thank you all very much for inviting me. So the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum. No big surprise, we’re gonna be speaking a lot here about artificial intelligence. It’s easy to see that AI is changing the Internet a lot, and arguably it’s poised to change the whole world. Of course, nobody knows exactly how. Personally, I believe that this technology has the potential to make our lives better in so many ways, to solve big problems and to expand knowledge, to create beauty. But I also do see the potential for harm, for a greater and greater concentration of power, and for the denigration of humanity itself. So how do we get the good stuff and avoid the bad stuff, right? Well, I think that one of the keys is in the very name of this gathering, the Internet Governance Forum, we need to have some governance. We need to establish some values, we need to make some rules, we need to set up systems to enforce those rules. And this might sound obvious, but a lot of you probably know this, where I’m from, in the United States, there’s a lot of powerful people who are taking the position that AI companies shouldn’t be subject to much governance at all. Right now, there’s a bill that’s getting quite close to passing in our Congress that would prohibit all 50 of our states from making new laws governing this technology for the next 10 years. So the idea is that instead of governing AI according to laws, that we should be developing AI according to the free market, that we should be letting business incentives and business incentives alone guide how this revolutionary technology unfolds, and that we should be putting our trust in the hands of a few private companies who aren’t accountable to anybody except their shareholders. But we know from recent history, this doesn’t work. Look at the last 20 years of another revolutionary technology, social media. Governments largely stayed hands-off with social media. We put our trust in Silicon Valley. And yes, social media has been beneficial in a lot of ways, but it’s also been deeply damaging in a lot of other ways. And we might have mitigated some of that harm if we had been more proactive with our governance. I know a lot of you here probably have a lot of good ideas about how to govern AI. I’ll briefly mention the specific idea that I’m here to talk about. I’m going to dive more deeply into it later. And that’s the basic principle that your digital stealth should belong to you. That the data that humans produce, our writings and our voices and our connections, our experiences, our ideas should belong to us. And that, yeah, thanks. And that any economic value that’s generated from this data should be shared with the humans that produce it. But see, here’s the case in point. The free market is not going to honor that basic principle. And in fact, a lot of the biggest AI companies in the industry right now are lobbying hard against it. It’s just one example of how we can’t put all of our eggs in the business incentive basket. And why profit driven companies need to have guardrails in place to help steer them towards serving the public good. And look, I’ll admit, governing new technology looks like an uphill battle from here, said the American standing on a stage in Scandinavia. But I take heart in gatherings like this. I want to thank you all for being here, especially those of you working in the public sector, where you could probably go make a bigger salary somewhere else. Thank you for fighting the good fight. I look forward to meeting and talking with you all. Thanks again.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you, Joseph. Also, as I said, there are people who’ve come here from all over the world to join us live in Lillestrom. Thank you so much. And there are some who are coming in through video link as well. So our next speaker is joining us. She is, pardon me, our next speaker is the Secretary General for the International Telecommunications Union. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Doreen Bogdan-Martin. She can still hear you. So let’s give a warm round of applause. Thank you. Doreen, the floor is yours.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin: Thank you so much. Excellencies, ladiesand gentlemen, greetings from Geneva. I wish I could join you in person to discuss building digital governance together, something ITU and the IGF have been doing for quite a long time. This year marks two decades since the World Summit on the Information Society gave birth to the Internet Governance Forum. The world looked a lot different in 2005. About 1 billion people were online. There was this new website called YouTube that had just published its first video. And not far from where I sit today, a WSIS working group helped to define what multi-stakeholder Internet governance could look like, a collaborative effort between governments, the private sector, the technical community, and, of course, civil society. Today, those efforts have helped to turn the Internet into the engine of our global economy. Two-thirds of the world’s population is now connected, and yet despite two decades of incredible progress, serious gaps remain. Fixed broadband can cost up to a third of household incomes, and 2.6 billion people are still completely offline. Closing these digital divides means building digital governance together with urgency. It means ensuring global digital infrastructure is secure and resilient, from submarine cables discussed at yesterday’s plenary to satellite networks. It means setting trustworthy technical standards so that innovation, especially in AI, is sustainable and responsible. And it means making sure connectivity is not just universal but meaningful, safe, affordable, and empowering. And it means listening to all communities and all perspectives so that our shared digital future reflects our shared humanity. During last week’s ITU Council discussions, we heard strong support for the multi-stakeholder model and multi-stakeholder engagement on digital and Internet-related issues. Encouraged by our 194 member states, we’re targeting capacity-building efforts to boost participation in our Council Working Group on Internet and other ITU fora. The briefing session and lightning talk held yesterday at the IGF form part of this ongoing work, because ultimately, digital governance is about bringing communities together to leave no one behind. This work is about people, people like the student whose school gets connected for the very first time, a young woman who gains AI skills to build her digital business, the island community that gets an early warning before disaster strikes. That’s the digital progress the IGF and ITU have always stood for. And that’s the WSIS vision that we have to carry forward in the WSIS plus 20 review. So ladies and gentlemen, let’s keep building digital governance together so that technology serves all people everywhere. I hope you’ll join us at the ITU the week after next at the WSIS plus 20 high-level event and the AI for Good Global Summit. And in the meantime, I wish you a productive and inspiring IGF. Thank you so much.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you so much, Doreen, for joining us. And also, our next speaker is none other than the Prime Minister, or rather the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Digital Affairs from Poland. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Mr. Krzysztof Gostkowski, President, Vice President.

Krzysztof Gostkowski: Ladies and gentlemen, dear participants, it’s a great pleasure to welcome you to the 20th anniversary edition of the Internet Governance Forum, a place that has long been at the heart of global discussion about the future of the Internet. We are meeting at an important time, just ahead of the 20th anniversary of the World Summit of the Information Society. The WSIS 20 process is a chance to reflect on what we have achieved and to decide what comes next. WSIS gives us an opportunity to see how far we have come in the past two decades and where gaps remain. It’s essential that this process is open, inclusive, and reflects to the voice of all stakeholders, especially those from the global south. As one of the global leaders in digital transformation, the European Union is deeply engaged in shaping the rules of the digital space. We want an Internet that is open, secure, and based on core values, which are the people at the center. That’s why Europe is interacting closely with the protection of fundamental rights, strengthening cybersecurity, building user trust, and making online platforms more transparent. But no country or institution can tackle these challenges alone. That’s why we need the IGF more than ever. This forum brings together governments, businesses, civil society, academics, teach experts, and, importantly, young people. The IGF is a shared space, and we must protect its mandate. Yes, the multi-stakeholder model has its flaws, but it remains the most inclusive way to make decisions on global digital resources. We must defend against any push towards centralization or control by a single group. Dear friends, let this meeting in Norway be a moment to recommit to building the Internet of the future. An Internet that is open, safe, and bullet-proof. An Internet that serves people, not the other way around. Thank you very much.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: A sincere apology, I would like to say, Deputy Prime Minister, not Vice President, sir. So thank you so much for your kind message and your words that you’ve shared and message that you’ve shared here today. Now ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN for short. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Mr. Kurtis Lindqvist

Kurtis Lindqvist: Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I’d like to thank Minister Tung, the Government of Norway, UNDESA, and the IGF Secretariat, and congratulate you on hosting a successful IGF. Later this year, we will see the Visas Plus 20 review, which is a chance to reaffirm what makes the Internet work and what it takes to keep it working. At the heart of that is one principle, coordination over control. The Internet’s growth, resilience, and reach have been made possible because cooperation, not centralization, has remained the foundation of this government. At ICANN, our role is technical. We manage the unique identifiers, domain names, and IP addresses, root zone functions that keep the Internet interoperable. However, the strength of that infrastructure depends on something deeper, a shared commitment to global coordination and the institutions that enable it. That commitment shaped the vision that led to the creation of the Internet Governance Forum, an open space for dialogue, not negotiation. The IGF was built so governments, civil society, and the technical community, private sector could engage to form consensus and exchange thoughts. The multi-stakeholder engagement has proven it is a successful incubator for capacity building, fostering ideas, exploring issues, and supporting decision-making in many other forums. It also contributes to the Visas action lines. That principle still matters. It gives the IGF its strength and makes it worth protecting. The forum’s evolution and outcomes speak for themselves within the broader Visas process. In the 20 years since the Visas meeting in Tunis, the Internet has proven a platform of a phenomenal technological evolution, revolutionizing services and value creation. Millions of small and medium-sized businesses exist partly or fully because of the underlying principle of the Internet. We also carry with us the memory of those who helped us shape this vision. The late Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, whose leadership gave the IGF life, as well as colleagues like Nigel Hickson, who recently passed away, and who represented ICANN, and before that and after, the UK government. At this forum for many years, with clarity, humility, and a deep belief in cooperation, their work helped this multi-stakeholder space take root and remain relevant. But space alone is not enough. Earlier this month, ICANN released a joint report with the Internet Society, Footprints of the 20 Years of the Internet Governance Forum, that summarizes some of the successes that this forum has enabled and why it still matters. It demonstrates what sustained cooperation makes possible. When cooperation and coordination holds, progress follows. When it breaks down, fragmentation spreads. From universal acceptance, ensuring multilingual access so all domain names and email addresses work across scripts and languages, to root server deployment, we’ve seen the impact of strong cooperation. That includes effort to keep the Internet secure, resilient, and from strengthening its core systems and to expand its reach to underserved regions. Progress is not guaranteed. It must be maintained and continually fostered through collaboration. And for many countries, especially those representing the G77, this is not simply technical. It’s about ensuring that digital development delivers in education, healthcare, services, and the opportunity for economic growth. The IGF must remain the connectivity tissue between global goals and practical implementation. That requires more than support. It requires investment. We do not need to reinvent this model. This model works. We need to resource it, trust it, and use it. As Devices Plus 20 review moves forward, implementation begins with infrastructure and infrastructure begins with coordination. The Internet’s future will depend on cooperation that works. Our job is to help hold that cooperation together steadily, reliably, and at scale. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you, Mr. Lindquist, for that message from ICANN. And now I would like to introduce to the stage Assistant Director General for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, otherwise known as UNESCO. Please join me in welcoming Tawfik Jelassi.

Tawfik Jelassi: Excellencies, distinguished delegates, esteemed participants, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a great honor for me to address you this morning on behalf of UNESCO and to thank the Secretariat for their tireless efforts, but also to thank the Government of Norway for hosting us in this beautiful country. This year marks an important milestone, as it was mentioned by previous speakers. We are here to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of IGF, which, as you know, took place back in 2005 in my home country, Tunisia. The vision at the time was about building a people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented information society. Of course, today is a good opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved since, but clearly this vision remains today as vital, as crucial, as it was 20 years ago. It was mentioned by the ITU-SG that we still have today 2.6 billion people offline, and our aim, of course, is to leave no one behind. So clearly, although the Internet has democratized access to information, it has helped with digital inclusion. We face today new challenges, the amplification of misinformation, hate speech online, and other harmful online content, not mentioning also the harmful side of artificial intelligence. UNESCO tried to contribute to the debate by having, four years ago, a landmark recommendation on the ethics of artificial intelligence voted by 193 member states, a recommendation that is today being implemented by 70 countries worldwide. At UNESCO, we believe that the answers lie in respect of human rights, ethical principles, and an inclusive, multi-stakeholder cooperation. These are not abstract ideals, these are the foundations for effective, successful digital transformation that truly benefits people. In this context, UNESCO organized and hosted earlier this month a global conference on capacity building on AI and digital transformation, with a focus on the public sector, because we believe that besides digital infrastructure, civil servants need to have the skill sets and the competencies to succeed in their digital transformation. UNESCO has also recently revised its Internet Universality Indicators. They were released in last AGF in Riyadh in December. Today we have 40 countries worldwide using these Internet Universality Indicators and their Romex framework to carry out national digital assessment. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, let me in conclusion quote a researcher and professor at MIT, George Westerman, who once said, when digital transformation is done right, it is like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. But when it is done wrong… all that you have is really a fast caterpillar. We cannot afford to settle for speed without substance. We must aim for systems where technology does not just move faster, but moves better towards equity, sustainability, and universal rights. UNESCO stands ready to walk this path with you. With two decades of multi-stakeholder experience through WSIS and IGF, we have the frameworks, we have the tools, we have the partnerships. Let’s use them boldly and wisely. Let’s not build a faster caterpillar. Let’s help the butterfly take flight. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you, Mr.Jelassi for reminding us of the importance of equity, sustainability, universal rights, and also substance over speed. Now, we spoke about collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships. Our next stakeholder I’d like to introduce to you, who’s going to present here today, the head of safety, public policy, and senior counsel for TikTok. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Ms. Lisa Hayes.

Lisa Hayes: Excellencies, distinguished leaders from government around the world, representatives from the United Nations and other global institutions, friends from civil society and academia, it is truly an honor to be here with you. Congratulations on 20 years of the Internet Governance Forum, and a heartfelt thanks to the government of Norway for bringing voices together from across the ecosystem. The Internet Governance Forum has a long-held vital space for building shared understanding around how the Internet should evolve. And that’s as true for companies like TikTok as it is for governments, civil society, and the technical community. The four pillars of this year’s IGF theme, digital trust and resilience, sustainable and responsible innovation, universal access and digital rights, and digital cooperation, offer a clear roadmap to what good governance can look like in practice. At TikTok, we’re working to reflect these principles, not just in what we say, but in how we build. First, we believe that digital trust is built on transparency, and we have made transparency a core part of our approach to governance. In addition to publishing our regular transparency reports on content removal, government request, and guidelines enforcement, we have also opened transparency and accountability centers in the US, Ireland, and Singapore, where regulators, experts, stakeholders, NGOs, and others can learn about our moderation efforts and our data governance practices firsthand. And through initiatives like Project Clover here in Europe, we’re localizing and securing user data, instilling data centers here in Norway under the oversight of independent third parties. These steps are not just technical measures. These are investments in building long-term trust and resilience in the markets where we operate. Second, aligned with IGF’s pillars, we believe that innovation must be guided by responsibility, especially when it shapes how people engage with content, ideas, and each other online and offline. We design safety and privacy into our products from the start, and we engage experts to inform our policies and tools from content moderation to digital well-being. One example is our adoption of the content credentials through the C2PA standard, which allows us to label AI-generated and AI-edited content,

Li Junhua: including material outside of TikTok, so that our users can better understand the origin and the content of what they are seeing. But responsible innovation is not a compliance exercise. It’s central to building a platform where creativity can thrive safely and meaningfully for everyone. Which brings me to the third pillar, access to opportunity, expression, and community, which shouldn’t depend on where you live or what language you speak. At TikTok, we believe that universal access and human rights must be embedded in both the design of our platform and the policies that govern it. That’s why we’ve built features like auto captions, text-to-speech, and language translation tools to ensure that creators and viewers of all abilities and backgrounds can engage meaningfully with content. Our approach to content moderation is localized, working with independent fact-checkers who understand the culture and linguistic nuances of the different countries and regions where we operate. This helps us respond more effectively to harmful content while respecting local contexts. We’re also working to protect the digital rights and moments of vulnerability. Universal access and digital rights are product choices, policy commitments, and real-world safeguards. And that’s because digital governance works best when it’s built with others. We look forward to collaborating with the governments, academics, NGOs, and civil society here in the room today. And again, congratulations on 20 years of the Internet Governance Forum.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Lisa, thank you for sharing your message with us. And now we would like to introduce a representative from the Global Digital Justice Forum and Deputy Director for IT for Change. And Change, we’re in a transition, this is a transformation. We’re working towards better, more sustainable, inclusive global Internet governance. So please join me in giving a warm welcome to Ms. Nandini Chami.

Nandini Chami: Esteemed delegates and dear friends, at IGF 2025, which coincides with the 20th year review of the World Summit on the Information Society, it is important to acknowledge that we are at a momentous crossroads. The choices that we make today, the techno-institutional paths we embrace, will determine whether we walk into digital dystopia or meet a future of hope. At the turn of the millennium, Manuel Castells predicted that the digital revolution would result in a deepening contradiction. Castells noted that the more we develop a highly innovative system of production and social organization, the less this elite system needs those in the margins, and the more difficult it becomes then for those in the margins to catch up. Digital society does not bother to exclude. It ruthlessly renders a significant part of humankind simply irrelevant. This threat of structural irrelevance, orchestrated invisibility of the majority, violates the foundations of human dignity upending the international human rights-based order. 68% of the world’s population may have Internet access, but meaningful universal connectivity is still out of grasp for the majority. Artificial intelligence may have made life efficient, but it has normalized the business of warfare, stripping us of all moral reasoning. Large language models in the English language may have inspired open innovation, but as MIT’s latest research shows, they have led to alarming cognitive decline. The buzz around DPIs may be truly justified, but it only reinforces the appalling neglect of the debt crisis, a state of impunity programmed into our systemic architecture. A new future of leisure may not be wishful thinking, but as things stand, it is still a pie in the sky for those at the bottom of global data value chains, and certainly for the unpaid women of the South, whose land and labor prop up the global digital economy. The path we choose from here on is therefore a no-brainer. We must reject the human-made dystopia that threatens to consume us, and we must build digital governance together. The democratic deficits of the present digital order actively harm those at the margins, communities seeking legitimacy for visions of a digital society accountable to the planet and to future generations. At the Global Digital Justice Forum, we believe that there is no paucity of ideas to make real a global internet community connected by an ethic of pluralism, made up of the many smalls that are differently beautiful. These worldviews of another digital paradigm, demonstrated by social movements, worker organization, tech communities, and civic groups everywhere, need a radical democracy of inclusive institutions. As digital public policy issues expand in scope and scale, let us… take a pledge to further transformative change. Let us renew the IGF’s mandate for a hearty dialogue and spirited exchange towards international digital justice. Thank you.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you so much Nandini for your message and reminding us that it’s also all about hearty dialogues, that which we’ll get to very soon. But without further ado, I would like to introduce our next stakeholder and speaker. The secretary for the Dicastery for Communication from the Holy See has joined us here today. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Monsignor Adrian Ruiz. The stage is yours.

Lucio Adrian Ruiz: Excellencies, delegates, distinguished guests, it is a true honor for me to speak in this international forum dedicated to the governance of the digital environment. We cannot separate reflection on technology from the reflection on humanity. We need thought, responsibility and dialogue. The ongoing transformation driven especially by artificial intelligence is profound and rapid. It is changing the way we understand, decide, learn, work and relate to one another. Its impact goes far beyond technical innovation. It is concerning the human condition, culture and the meaning of our existence. We do not consider artificial intelligence to be a subject. It does not think, judge or feel. It is a product of human ingenuity and as such it must be accompanied by moral responsibility. Our intelligence is embodied, relational and moral. It is capable of compassion, truth and freedom. To confuse AI with human intelligence means reducing the human being to a set of calculations with the concrete risk of dehumanization. It is essential to reflect on the effects of the AI in various areas of the social life. In education, AI can be useful but it can never replace the relationship between the teacher and the student where values, critical thinking and inner freedom are transmitted. In health care, AI can support diagnosis but it cannot replace care, listening and empathy, deeply human dimensions. In communication, the generative system risks eroding truth in reality. Truth and authenticity are increasingly fragile goods that must be safeguarded. In politics and society, AI can foster participation or, on the contrary, fuel polarization, disinformation and surveillance if there is a lack of transparency in content selection and dissemination criteria. In the military field, no machine should be ever decided over the life or death of the human being. Autonomous weapons are ethically unacceptable. And with regard of the environment, while it is true that AI can contribute to sustainability, it also has a significant ecological impact. We need technology that respects our common home. For this reason, we call for every innovation to be inspired not only by criteria of efficiency but by a wisdom of the heart, one that unites knowledge and conscience, freedom and responsibility, justice and solidarity. The Holy See calls for ethical governance. The digital future will truly be human only if it is also just, inclusive, relational and spiritual, meaningful. For this reason, today we renew the call for the Internet and all emerging technologies to be guided by shared values, common rules and the awareness that the human being it is at the center, its purpose and its heart. Thank you and happy birthday IGF.

Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik: Thank you Monsignor Ruiz for delivering that powerful message and reminder to us as a joint, collected, connected humanity. So that brings to an end officially the official opening but it’s not over. Thank you also and on behalf of our host country Norway for joining us here today, our guests, our esteemed colleagues, excellencies, our online guests, our global guests joining from all around the world in person and online. We invite you this week to explore the rich and diverse program of sessions that we’ve planned for you. Don’t forget to visit the open village as well where inspiring conversations happen throughout the day. Make sure to drop by the open stage for everything else, for panels and workshops and networking opportunities. Remember to check the IGF 2025 app for the latest updates. On behalf of the organizing team and our host here in Norway, we wish you a rewarding, inspiring, thought-provoking and collaborative next couple of days with strong and meaningful dialogue, insight and hopefully collaboration and powerful actionable takeaways. But and also we want to say thank you to all of our speakers and representatives and the ministers who presented here today. So can we give them a warm round of applause.

Agreement points

Multi-stakeholder governance model is essential and most inclusive approach

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Krzysztof Gostkowski
– Jonas Gahr Store
– Kurtis Lindqvist
– Lisa Hayes
– Nandini Chami
– Natalie Bridgette Becker-Aakervik

Arguments

Digital cooperation is an absolute necessity and shared responsibility requiring global collaboration

Multi-stakeholder model brings together governments, civil society, academia, private sector and technical community as the most inclusive way to make decisions

Internet should be governed not by the few, but by all, requiring coordination over control

Coordination rather than centralization has been the foundation of Internet’s growth and resilience

Digital governance works best when built with others through collaboration

Need for radical democracy of inclusive institutions to address democratic deficits in current digital order

Multi-stakeholder approach essential for addressing global digital challenges through diverse perspectives

Summary

There is strong consensus that the multi-stakeholder model, bringing together governments, civil society, academia, private sector, and technical community, represents the most inclusive and effective approach to Internet governance. Speakers emphasized coordination over control and collaboration over centralization.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development | Human rights

Human rights and human dignity must be central to digital governance

Speakers

– Antonio Guterres
– Karianne Tung
– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Lucio Adrian Ruiz
– Lisa Hayes
– Henna Virkkunen

Arguments

Internet must be rooted in dignity, opportunity, and human rights with focus on protecting core values of openness, accessibility, and safety

Norway’s commitment to democratic values, transparency and human rights both offline and online guides digital governance approach

Digital data should belong to humans who produce it, with economic value shared with data producers

AI is a product of human ingenuity that must be accompanied by moral responsibility, not confused with human intelligence

Universal access and digital rights must be embedded in platform design and governing policies

EU commits to rules-based global digital order rooted in universal human rights, openness and multi-stakeholder governance

Summary

Speakers consistently emphasized that human rights, dignity, and democratic values must be the foundation of digital governance, with technology serving humanity rather than the reverse.

Topics

Human rights | Legal and regulatory | Sociocultural

Digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide is critical priority

Speakers

– Antonio Guterres
– Doreen Bogdan-Martin
– Dharambeer Gokhool
– Nandini Chami
– Lisa Hayes

Arguments

Must bridge digital divide by expanding affordable, meaningful Internet access to achieve universal connectivity by 2030

2.6 billion people remain offline with fixed broadband costing up to a third of household incomes

Digital transformation must avoid leaving anyone behind, especially vulnerable populations including children, people with special needs, and elderly

Meaningful universal connectivity still out of grasp for majority despite 68% having Internet access

Universal access and digital rights must be embedded in platform design and governing policies

Summary

There is unanimous agreement that bridging the digital divide and ensuring meaningful universal access remains a critical challenge, with particular attention needed for vulnerable populations and affordability barriers.

Topics

Development | Human rights | Economic

AI governance requires ethical frameworks and responsible development

Speakers

– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Lucio Adrian Ruiz
– Lisa Hayes
– Doreen Bogdan-Martin
– Tawfik Jelassi

Arguments

AI companies need governance and guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives

AI is a product of human ingenuity that must be accompanied by moral responsibility, not confused with human intelligence

Innovation must be guided by responsibility, with safety and privacy designed into products from the start

Need for trustworthy technical standards to ensure AI innovation is sustainable and responsible

UNESCO’s recommendation on ethics of artificial intelligence provides framework for 70 countries implementing ethical AI

Summary

Speakers agreed that AI development cannot be left to market forces alone and requires ethical frameworks, governance structures, and responsible development practices with human oversight and moral responsibility.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights | Infrastructure

Transparency and accountability are essential for building digital trust

Speakers

– Lisa Hayes
– Karianne Tung
– Henna Virkkunen
– Antonio Guterres

Arguments

Digital trust built on transparency through publishing reports, opening accountability centers, and localizing data with independent oversight

Norway’s commitment to democratic values, transparency and human rights both offline and online guides digital governance approach

EU commits to rules-based global digital order rooted in universal human rights, openness and multi-stakeholder governance

Need to counter online hate speech, promote information integrity, and address concentration of digital power

Summary

There is strong agreement that transparency, accountability, and openness are fundamental requirements for building and maintaining trust in digital systems and governance structures.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Similar viewpoints

The WSIS+20 review represents a critical opportunity to strengthen and renew the multi-stakeholder Internet governance model, with emphasis on inclusivity and proper resourcing rather than fundamental restructuring.

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Krzysztof Gostkowski
– Kurtis Lindqvist

Arguments

WSIS+20 review marks crucial turning point to reimagine foundational principles and integrate Global Digital Compact

WSIS+20 process must be open, inclusive, and reflect voices of all stakeholders, especially from global south

Multi-stakeholder model works and needs to be resourced, trusted, and used rather than reinvented

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development

Both speakers strongly advocate against leaving AI development to pure market forces, emphasizing the need for governance frameworks that prioritize human values and dignity over profit motives.

Speakers

– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Lucio Adrian Ruiz

Arguments

AI companies need governance and guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives

Technology must respect human dignity and be guided by shared values, with humans at the center

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Digital transformation should be strategic, sustainable, and focused on meaningful development outcomes rather than rapid technological adoption without consideration for equity and long-term benefits.

Speakers

– Dharambeer Gokhool
– Henna Virkkunen
– Tawfik Jelassi

Arguments

Mauritius transforming from monocrop agriculture economy to diversified economy leveraging digital technologies and AI

EU deploying tech business offer to partner countries through public-private investments in AI, connectivity and cybersecurity

Digital transformation requires substance over speed, aiming for systems that move better towards equity and sustainability

Topics

Economic | Development

Unexpected consensus

Private sector acknowledgment of need for governance and regulation

Speakers

– Lisa Hayes
– Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Arguments

Digital governance works best when built with others through collaboration

AI companies need governance and guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives

Explanation

It’s notable that both a private sector representative (TikTok) and an entertainment industry figure explicitly advocated for governance and regulation rather than defending pure market-based approaches. This suggests growing recognition even within industry that self-regulation is insufficient.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Economic

Religious and secular voices aligned on AI ethics and human dignity

Speakers

– Lucio Adrian Ruiz
– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Tawfik Jelassi

Arguments

AI is a product of human ingenuity that must be accompanied by moral responsibility, not confused with human intelligence

Digital data should belong to humans who produce it, with economic value shared with data producers

Digital transformation requires substance over speed, aiming for systems that move better towards equity and sustainability

Explanation

The alignment between religious (Holy See), entertainment industry, and international organization perspectives on AI ethics and human-centered technology development demonstrates broad consensus across traditionally different worldviews on fundamental digital governance principles.

Topics

Human rights | Sociocultural | Legal and regulatory

Overall assessment

Summary

The speakers demonstrated remarkably high consensus on core principles of Internet governance, including the centrality of multi-stakeholder approaches, human rights and dignity, digital inclusion, ethical AI governance, and the need for transparency and accountability. There was universal support for the IGF model and WSIS+20 process.

Consensus level

Very high consensus with no significant disagreements expressed. The level of agreement suggests strong international alignment on fundamental digital governance principles, which bodes well for productive outcomes from the WSIS+20 review and continued IGF mandate. The consensus spans across different sectors (government, private sector, civil society, international organizations, religious institutions) and regions, indicating broad-based support for human-centered, inclusive, and collaborative approaches to digital governance.

Different viewpoints

Role of government regulation vs. free market in AI governance

Speakers

– Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Arguments

AI companies need governance and guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives

Summary

Gordon-Levitt explicitly argues against the US position that AI companies should operate with minimal governance, advocating for regulatory guardrails instead of relying on free market forces alone. This contrasts with the implied industry preference for self-regulation.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Economic

Approach to AI development – technical efficiency vs. human-centered values

Speakers

– Lucio Adrian Ruiz
– Lisa Hayes

Arguments

AI is a product of human ingenuity that must be accompanied by moral responsibility, not confused with human intelligence

Innovation must be guided by responsibility, with safety and privacy designed into products from the start

Summary

While both advocate for responsible AI, Ruiz emphasizes moral and spiritual dimensions with humans at the center, while Hayes focuses on technical responsibility measures and business practices. Ruiz warns against confusing AI with human intelligence, while Hayes presents AI as a tool that can be made responsible through proper design.

Topics

Human rights | Sociocultural

Unexpected differences

Data ownership and economic value distribution

Speakers

– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Lisa Hayes

Arguments

Digital data should belong to humans who produce it, with economic value shared with data producers

Digital governance works best when built with others through collaboration

Explanation

While both speakers advocate for responsible technology practices, Gordon-Levitt explicitly calls for economic value sharing with data producers, while Hayes focuses on collaborative governance without addressing economic redistribution. This represents an unexpected divide between human rights advocacy and industry collaboration approaches.

Topics

Human rights | Economic

Overall assessment

Summary

The transcript reveals surprisingly few direct disagreements among speakers, with most conflicts being implicit or representing different emphases rather than fundamental opposition. Main areas of tension include the role of regulation vs. market forces in AI governance, approaches to digital inclusion (institutional vs. structural reform), and the balance between technical solutions and human-centered values.

Disagreement level

Low to moderate disagreement level. Most speakers share common goals around inclusive digital governance, human rights, and multi-stakeholder cooperation, but differ in their proposed methods and emphasis. The consensus-building nature of the IGF opening ceremony may have contributed to the diplomatic tone and limited explicit disagreements. The implications suggest that while there is broad agreement on digital governance principles, implementation challenges may reveal deeper divisions in practice.

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

The WSIS+20 review represents a critical opportunity to strengthen and renew the multi-stakeholder Internet governance model, with emphasis on inclusivity and proper resourcing rather than fundamental restructuring.

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Krzysztof Gostkowski
– Kurtis Lindqvist

Arguments

WSIS+20 review marks crucial turning point to reimagine foundational principles and integrate Global Digital Compact

WSIS+20 process must be open, inclusive, and reflect voices of all stakeholders, especially from global south

Multi-stakeholder model works and needs to be resourced, trusted, and used rather than reinvented

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development

Both speakers strongly advocate against leaving AI development to pure market forces, emphasizing the need for governance frameworks that prioritize human values and dignity over profit motives.

Speakers

– Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Lucio Adrian Ruiz

Arguments

AI companies need governance and guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives

Technology must respect human dignity and be guided by shared values, with humans at the center

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Digital transformation should be strategic, sustainable, and focused on meaningful development outcomes rather than rapid technological adoption without consideration for equity and long-term benefits.

Speakers

– Dharambeer Gokhool
– Henna Virkkunen
– Tawfik Jelassi

Arguments

Mauritius transforming from monocrop agriculture economy to diversified economy leveraging digital technologies and AI

EU deploying tech business offer to partner countries through public-private investments in AI, connectivity and cybersecurity

Digital transformation requires substance over speed, aiming for systems that move better towards equity and sustainability

Topics

Economic | Development

Key takeaways

Digital cooperation is an absolute necessity requiring multi-stakeholder governance involving governments, civil society, academia, private sector, and technical community rather than control by a few

AI governance requires ethical frameworks and regulatory guardrails rather than relying solely on free market business incentives, with humans maintaining control over life-and-death decisions

Universal digital inclusion remains critical with 2.6 billion people still offline and meaningful connectivity out of reach for the majority despite technological advances

Human rights, dignity, and democratic values must be embedded in digital governance, with data ownership belonging to the humans who produce it

The WSIS+20 review and IGF’s 20th anniversary represent a crucial turning point to reimagine foundational principles and strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation

Digital transformation must prioritize substance over speed, focusing on equity, sustainability, and leaving no one behind, especially vulnerable populations

Trust and transparency in digital spaces require open accountability, localized content moderation, and coordination rather than centralization of power

Economic development through digital transformation must balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring technology serves humanity rather than replacing human relationships and judgment

Resolutions and action items

Engage deeply with local and regional IGF initiatives to ensure global priorities reflect local realities

Champion equality to guarantee global digital cooperation benefits developing and underdeveloped countries

Advance sustainable development goals through inclusive digital transformation

Implement the Global Digital Compact and strengthen IGF mandate beyond 2025

Participate in upcoming WSIS+20 high-level event and AI for Good Global Summit

Resource, trust, and use the multi-stakeholder model rather than attempting to reinvent it

Establish Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance within the UN

Advance UN multi-stakeholder working group on data governance and sustainable development principles

Unresolved issues

How to effectively prevent concentration of digital power and decision-making in the hands of a few while maintaining innovation

Specific mechanisms for ensuring data ownership belongs to humans and economic value is shared with data producers

Concrete funding mechanisms to support broader participation from developing countries in digital governance

Balancing national digital sovereignty with global coordination and interoperability requirements

Addressing the structural irrelevance and marginalization of populations in the digital economy

Reconciling different regional approaches to AI regulation and digital governance frameworks

Defining and implementing ‘meaningful connectivity’ beyond basic internet access

Establishing effective enforcement mechanisms for ethical AI principles and human rights protections

Suggested compromises

Multi-stakeholder governance model that balances representation across all sectors while maintaining efficiency in decision-making

Coordination over control approach that preserves internet openness while addressing security and governance concerns

Localized implementation of global digital governance principles to respect cultural and linguistic differences

Public-private partnerships that combine market innovation with regulatory oversight and ethical guidelines

Gradual transition toward stronger AI governance that allows for innovation while implementing necessary safeguards

Capacity building and voluntary funding mechanisms to increase developing country participation without imposing mandatory requirements

As digital risks accelerate, so must we. That means bridging the digital divide by expanding affordable, meaningful Internet access to achieve universal connectivity by 2030, closing the skills gap, countering online hate speech, promoting information integrity, tolerance, and respect, addressing the concentration of digital power and decision-making in the hands of a few, and fostering greater diversity, transparency, and trust in digital spaces.

Speaker

Antonio Guterres (UN Secretary General)

Reason

This comment is insightful because it frames digital governance not just as a technical challenge but as an urgent societal imperative. It identifies specific, actionable areas while highlighting the concentration of power as a key threat to democratic digital governance.

Impact

This set the foundational tone for the entire forum, establishing the urgency and scope of digital governance challenges. Subsequent speakers repeatedly referenced themes of inclusion, power concentration, and the need for accelerated action, showing how this framing influenced the entire discussion.

We must collectively aim to avoid a digital divide. High-tech must go together with a human touch… advocating for a multi-stakeholder, people-centric, rights-based internet governance model, or one that ensures no voice is erased, especially those of the most vulnerable components of our society, our children, people with special needs, and our elderly.

Speaker

Dharambeer Gokhool (President of Mauritius)

Reason

This comment is thought-provoking because it reframes technological advancement as inherently requiring human-centered design and explicitly names vulnerable populations often overlooked in digital policy discussions. It challenges the assumption that technological progress automatically benefits everyone.

Impact

This comment shifted the discussion from abstract governance principles to concrete human impact, with subsequent speakers like Nandini Chami building on themes of marginalization and the need for inclusive digital transformation that doesn’t leave vulnerable populations behind.

So the idea is that instead of governing AI according to laws, that we should be developing AI according to the free market… But we know from recent history, this doesn’t work. Look at the last 20 years of another revolutionary technology, social media. Governments largely stayed hands-off with social media. We put our trust in Silicon Valley… we might have mitigated some of that harm if we had been more proactive with our governance.

Speaker

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Reason

This comment is exceptionally insightful because it uses concrete historical precedent (social media) to challenge the prevailing narrative about market-led innovation. It directly confronts powerful economic interests and provides a clear cautionary tale about the consequences of inadequate governance.

Impact

This comment introduced a critical counternarrative to tech industry talking points and provided a concrete framework for understanding why proactive governance is necessary. It influenced the discussion by legitimizing regulatory approaches and providing historical evidence for the need for oversight.

Digital society does not bother to exclude. It ruthlessly renders a significant part of humankind simply irrelevant… 68% of the world’s population may have Internet access, but meaningful universal connectivity is still out of grasp for the majority… The democratic deficits of the present digital order actively harm those at the margins.

Speaker

Nandini Chami (Global Digital Justice Forum)

Reason

This comment is profoundly thought-provoking because it challenges the celebratory narrative around digital progress by exposing how digital systems create ‘structural irrelevance’ for marginalized populations. It reframes connectivity statistics to highlight the gap between access and meaningful participation.

Impact

This comment provided the most critical perspective in the discussion, challenging other speakers’ more optimistic framings and introducing concepts of ‘digital dystopia’ and ‘structural irrelevance’ that deepened the conversation about power dynamics and global inequality in digital governance.

We do not consider artificial intelligence to be a subject. It does not think, judge or feel. It is a product of human ingenuity and as such it must be accompanied by moral responsibility. Our intelligence is embodied, relational and moral. It is capable of compassion, truth and freedom. To confuse AI with human intelligence means reducing the human being to a set of calculations with the concrete risk of dehumanization.

Speaker

Monsignor Adrian Ruiz (Holy See)

Reason

This comment is thought-provoking because it provides a fundamental philosophical challenge to how AI is conceptualized and discussed. It argues for maintaining clear distinctions between human and artificial intelligence while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human moral reasoning and relationships.

Impact

This comment introduced a spiritual and philosophical dimension to the technical and policy discussions, emphasizing human dignity and moral responsibility in ways that complemented but deepened the human rights frameworks mentioned by other speakers.

Overall assessment

These key comments shaped the discussion by establishing a tension between technological optimism and critical analysis of power structures. The Secretary General’s opening set an urgent, comprehensive agenda, while subsequent speakers either built upon or challenged aspects of this framework. Gordon-Levitt’s historical analysis of social media governance failures provided crucial evidence for regulatory approaches, while Chami’s critique of ‘structural irrelevance’ offered the most radical challenge to prevailing narratives. The Holy See’s philosophical intervention added moral and spiritual dimensions often missing from technical policy discussions. Together, these comments created a rich dialogue that moved beyond technical specifications to address fundamental questions about power, inclusion, human dignity, and the kind of digital future we want to create. The discussion evolved from procedural governance questions to deeper examinations of who benefits from current digital systems and how to ensure technology serves human flourishing rather than concentrating power among elites.

How to effectively implement the Global Digital Compact and translate global commitments into concrete action

Speaker

Antonio Guterres

Explanation

The UN Secretary General mentioned that negotiations are underway but emphasized the need to accelerate translating commitments into action as digital risks accelerate

How to achieve universal connectivity by 2030 while bridging the digital divide

Speaker

Antonio Guterres

Explanation

This was identified as a critical challenge requiring urgent attention to expand affordable, meaningful Internet access globally

How to address the concentration of digital power and decision-making in the hands of a few

Speaker

Antonio Guterres

Explanation

This was highlighted as a key concern requiring solutions to foster greater diversity, transparency, and trust in digital spaces

How to ensure that economic value generated from human data is shared with the humans that produce it

Speaker

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Explanation

He emphasized that digital wealth should belong to users and that AI companies are lobbying against this principle, requiring governance solutions

How to make fixed broadband more affordable when it can cost up to a third of household incomes

Speaker

Doreen Bogdan-Martin

Explanation

This was identified as a critical barrier to meaningful connectivity that needs addressing to close digital divides

How to ensure AI governance frameworks respect local contexts while maintaining global standards

Speaker

Lisa Hayes

Explanation

She mentioned the need for localized content moderation and cultural understanding while working with global standards

How to address the cognitive decline caused by large language models in English

Speaker

Nandini Chami

Explanation

She referenced MIT research showing alarming cognitive decline, suggesting this needs further investigation and solutions

How to address the debt crisis and its relationship to digital transformation

Speaker

Nandini Chami

Explanation

She highlighted the neglect of the debt crisis as part of systemic issues that need addressing in digital governance

How to ensure autonomous weapons systems never make life-or-death decisions about humans

Speaker

Lucio Adrian Ruiz

Explanation

He declared autonomous weapons ethically unacceptable and called for governance to prevent machines from making such decisions

How to balance AI’s environmental impact with its potential contributions to sustainability

Speaker

Lucio Adrian Ruiz

Explanation

He noted AI has significant ecological impact while also potentially contributing to sustainability, requiring careful consideration