Sustainable development Archives | Page 263 of 304

EU begins work on major satellite network

The European Union has officially launched the development of its IRIS² satellite constellation, a €10.6 billion initiative designed to enhance secure governmental communications and secure Europe’s digital independence. The project, involving over 280 satellites, is set to provide encrypted services for EU governments while also supporting new commercial opportunities.

Amid rising concerns about digital sovereignty and the rapid expansion of competing networks like Elon Musk’s Starlink, IRIS² marks the EU’s third major space programme after Galileo and Copernicus. Despite initial setbacks, including disputes over costs and industrial work shares, the European Space Agency expects the first launch by mid-2029 and full deployment by the end of 2030.

The project’s development has not been without challenges. Europe’s leading satellite manufacturers, Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, withdrew from the main consortium due to financial concerns but remain involved as suppliers. IRIS² aims to position Europe as a competitive force in a market currently dominated by Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper network.

Balancing digital sovereignty and growth in Africa discussed at IGF 2024

At the IGF 2024 preparatory session, stakeholders discussed the critical challenges surrounding digital sovereignty in developing countries, particularly in Africa. The dialogue, led by AFICTA and global experts, explored balancing data localisation with economic growth, infrastructure constraints, and regulatory policies.

Jimson Olufuye and Ulandi Exner highlighted the financial and technical hurdles of establishing local data centres, including unreliable electricity supplies and limited expertise. Nigeria‘s Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi stressed the importance of data classification, advocating for clear regulations that differentiate sensitive government data from less critical commercial information.

The conversation extended to renewable energy’s role in powering local infrastructure. Jimson Olufuye pointed to successful solar-powered centres in Nigeria, while Kossi Amessinou noted the need for governments to utilise data effectively for economic development. Participants, including Martin Koyabe and Mary Uduma, underscored the importance of harmonised regional policies to streamline cross-border data flows without compromising security.

Speakers like Melissa Sassi and Dr Toshikazu Sakano argued for public-private partnerships to foster skills development and job creation. The call for capacity building remained a recurring theme, with Rachael Shitanda and Melissa Sassi urging governments to prioritise technical training while retaining talent in their countries.

The discussion concluded on an optimistic note, acknowledging that solutions, such as renewable energy integration and smart regulations, can help achieve digital sovereignty. Speakers emphasised the need for continued collaboration to overcome economic, technical, and policy challenges while fostering innovation and growth.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Experts discuss internet growth and the multistakeholder model at the IGF in Riyadh

At the 2024 Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh, experts convened to assess two decades of internet governance since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Discussions focused on key achievements, persistent challenges, and principles shaping the future digital landscape. The success of the multistakeholder model, credited with increasing global internet usage from 16% to 67% since WSIS, was a central theme.

Milestones such as the introduction of internationalised domain names, the expansion of internet exchange points, and the IANA stewardship transition were highlighted. Challenges including cybersecurity threats, misinformation, internet fragmentation, and the digital divide were also discussed. Experts agreed on the need for collaborative approaches to maintain a unified, resilient internet.

Speakers included Brendan Dowling, Australia’s ambassador, Kurtis Lindqvist, ICANN President and CEO, and Raquel Gatto, VP of ISOC Brazil and Head of Legal at NIC.br. Tripti Sinha, Chair of the ICANN Board, called for strengthened collaboration among governments, civil society, and the private sector. Ian Sheldon, Vice Chair of ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee, also shared insights, emphasising the importance of engaging smaller countries in governance discussions.

The technical community’s contributions were recognised as vital to mitigating risks and building trust. Innovations like DNSSEC and RPKI were highlighted as frameworks for enhancing security and ensuring stability. Discussions explored the potential of technical solutions to address future challenges, such as artificial intelligence governance.

Riyadh’s role as host of IGF 2024 provided an opportunity to reflect on the past and prepare for WSIS+20. Experts stressed that preserving the multi-stakeholder model is crucial for maintaining trust and fostering innovation in the digital age. Continued collaboration among all stakeholders will be essential to creating a secure, inclusive, and open internet for future generations.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Inclusive digital innovation: global experts call for action and collaboration

The ‘Fostering Inclusive Digital Innovation and Transformation‘ session at Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 brought together representatives from the UNDP, Italy’s Digital Agency, and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) to share insights and solutions for a more connected, equitable world. Global leaders and experts explored strategies to foster inclusive digital innovation, underscoring the urgency to close digital divides and empower underserved communities.

Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer of the UNDP, set the stage by emphasising capacity development as a critical foundation for digital transformation. ‘We need digital roads and bridges; public infrastructures that serve as enablers for innovation,’ he explained, highlighting the UNDP’s initiatives in 125 countries, including training civil servants in AI and digital skills in Kenya. Opp also advocated for a unified global framework, pointing to the Global Digital Compact as a guidepost for ensuring human rights and ethical governance in the digital age.

Italy’s progress in building robust digital public infrastructure provided a case study. Mario Nobile, Director of Italy’s Digital Agency, outlined achievements such as 36 million digital identity users and 2 billion e-invoices annually. Nobile stressed the importance of digital literacy by summarising that ‘Technology evolves faster than we can legislate. Empowering citizens with knowledge is key to ensuring inclusion, not exclusion.’

The role of engineering capacity in digital innovation emerged as a focal point. Gong Ke, President of the WFEO, highlighted a decade-long initiative to train 100,000 African engineers in AI. ‘Inclusive digital transformation requires tailored solutions that reflect local needs—whether cultural, linguistic, or economic,’ he said, adding that human oversight remains vital in managing AI’s ethical and factual risks.

Audience members raised pressing concerns, including the need for a UN declaration on AI ethics and strategies for unifying global digital literacy and inclusion efforts. Addressing these, Opp noted the UN’s commitment to ethical AI governance while calling on nations to back their commitments with resources.

At the end of the session, the panellists made clear that bridging the digital divide requires global cooperation, inclusive policies, and educational investment. As Gong summarised, ‘We must combine innovation with responsibility. Only then can digital transformation truly benefit all.’

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions and insightful session reports can be found on dig.watch.

Experts at the IGF explore strategies for closing digital divides and enhancing meaningful connectivity

Experts from various sectors gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss strategies for achieving meaningful connectivity worldwide, focusing on closing digital divides and ensuring internet access leads to tangible benefits. Vint Cerf, a member of the IGF Leadership Panel, emphasised the evolving definition of meaningful access, highlighting the need for safe, productive, and affordable online experiences.

Martin Schaaper from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) shared data showing 67% global internet usage but noted that high broadband costs in some regions still exclude many, particularly underserved populations.

The digital divide remains a significant challenge, with gaps across gender, geography, and socioeconomic lines. Director of the Pakistan Telecom Authority, Syeda Shafaq Karim, highlighted Pakistan’s Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy, addressing the disparity in mobile broadband usage among women.

Meanwhile, Lina Viltrakiene, Ambassador-at-Large for Economic and Digital Diplomacy from Lithuania, showcased the ‘No One Left Behind’ initiative, providing free digital literacy courses to over 500,000 elderly citizens. These efforts illustrate the importance of targeted interventions alongside broader infrastructure development and skills training.

Panelists also explored innovative solutions to expand access. Mohamed Slim Alouini, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and chair of Education on Connected at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, discussed using non-terrestrial networks to improve rural connectivity, while Talant Sultanov, Chair and Co-Founder of the Internet Society ISOC Assistance Chapter, shared how IoT technologies are advancing climate monitoring in Central Asia.

Public-private partnerships and government investments were repeatedly cited as essential, with Alhagie Mbow, co-moderator of the session and a member of the African Union Parliament, stressing their effectiveness in bridging gaps. At the same time, Bobby Bedi from Content Follow Studios, LLC argued that entertainment and cultural engagement play a crucial role in driving internet adoption, expanding the conversation beyond purely functional uses.

The session concluded with calls for continued collaboration, data collection, and policy development to ensure inclusive and adaptive connectivity efforts. Vint Cerf stressed the need for accessibility features and ongoing initiatives like the IGF, while online moderator Judith Hellerstein highlighted concerns about data protection for vulnerable groups. Achieving meaningful connectivity, the panel agreed, requires a multifaceted approach that balances technological innovation with social and cultural considerations.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Challenges and opportunities in Africa’s digital transformation: Data governance and sharing under scrutiny

The ongoing digital transformation across Africa has put data governance and sharing at the forefront of economic growth and innovation. In an Internet Governance Forum session titled ‘Data Without Borders? Navigating Policy Impacts in Africa’, experts emphasised the importance of harmonised data policies to support the African Union’s (AU) Data Policy Framework.

Souhila Amazouz from the African Union Commission highlighted the framework’s principles of transparency and cooperation, while Thelma Quaye of Smart Africa stressed the urgency of aligning national policies to ensure seamless cross-border data flows. Lillian Nalwoga noted the need for robust national data strategies, noting that two-thirds of African countries have data protection laws, though challenges remain in unifying national and continental interests.

The conversation revealed critical hurdles to effective data governance, including gaps in legal frameworks, limited institutional capacities, inadequate infrastructure, and cybersecurity risks. Souhila Amazouz discussed efforts to address these gaps through regional data centres and capacity-building initiatives.

Meanwhile, the concept of data localisation sparked debate. Vincent Olatunji from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission argued for practical data categorisation over full localisation, which Paul Baker (International Economics Consulting Limited) warned could burden businesses with high costs.

The balance between localisation and cross-border data sharing remains a contentious issue, particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aiming to boost trade and integration across the continent.

The panellists also highlighted the importance of trust and collaboration between governments and businesses. Transparent data practices and inclusive policy development were essential to fostering confidence in data-sharing initiatives. Paul Baker noted the vital role of cross-border data flows for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), though an audience member pointed out that many countries still rely on manual systems, hampering digital progress.

Ultimately, the discussion underscored the need for a unified approach to data governance, with capacity development, infrastructure investment, and multistakeholder collaboration as key priorities. While challenges like the digital divide and data fragmentation persist, the dialogue demonstrated a collective commitment to advancing Africa’s digital transformation through effective data governance strategies.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Global South’s role in AI governance explored at IGF 2024

The inclusion of the Global South, particularly the MENA region, in AI governance emerged as a key focus in a recent panel discussion as part of the Internet Governance Forum 2024. Experts examined persistent challenges such as the technology gap, regulatory uncertainty, and limited local infrastructure, which hinder the region’s participation in the global AI ecosystem.

Nibal Idlebi from UN ESCWA emphasised that the lack of computational resources and access to local data significantly impedes AI development. Jill Nelson of the IEEE Standards Association stressed the need to improve AI literacy and foster talent pipelines, particularly in decision-making roles. Ethical considerations also featured prominently, with Jasmin Alduri highlighting concerns about the exploitation of click workers involved in AI data labelling.

Roeske Martin from Google MENA called for clearer regulations to boost private sector involvement, arguing that regulatory uncertainty holds back investment and innovation. He proposed accelerator programmes to support local AI startups, including those led by women. Panellists also urged better Arabic language integration in AI tools to increase accessibility and adoption across the MENA region.

Amid the challenges, opportunities for growth were identified, including leveraging synthetic data generation and creating public data-sharing initiatives. Collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society was deemed crucial to developing AI frameworks that address local needs while adhering to global standards.

The panel concluded with cautious optimism, underscoring the MENA region’s potential to become an AI innovation hub. With targeted investments in capacity building and infrastructure, the Global South can play a greater role in shaping the future of AI governance.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Parliamentarians urged to bridge the global digital divide

At the ‘IGF Parliamentary Track – Session 1’ session in Riyadh, parliamentarians, diplomats, and digital experts gathered to address persistent gaps in global digital governance. The session spotlighted two critical UN-led initiatives: the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), underscoring their complementary roles in bridging the digital divide and addressing emerging digital challenges like AI and data governance.

Ambassador Muhammadou M.O. Kah, Chair of the Commission for Science and Technology for Development, stressed the urgency of digital inclusion. ‘Digital technologies are transforming our world at a remarkable pace, but we must confront the persistent divide,’ he said, remembering that twenty years after WSIS first set out a vision for an inclusive digital society, one-third of the world’s population remains unconnected, with inequalities deepening between urban and rural areas, genders, and socioeconomic groups.

The Global Digital Compact, introduced as a ‘refresh’ of WSIS priorities, emerged as a key focus of the discussion. From the UN Tech Envoy’s Office, Isabel de Sola presented the GDC’s five pillars: affordable internet access, tackling misinformation, data governance, fostering inclusive digital economies, and ensuring safe AI implementation. De Sola emphasised, ‘We need a holistic approach. Data governance, AI, and connectivity are deeply interconnected and must work in tandem to serve society fairly.’

Sorina Teleanu, the session’s moderator and Head of knowledge at Diplo, highlighted the need for urgent action, stating: ‘We have the Global Digital Compact, but what’s next? It’s about implementation—how we take global commitments and turn them into real, practical solutions at national and local levels,’ she urged parliamentarians to exercise their oversight role and push for meaningful progress.

The session exposed a growing disconnect between governments and parliaments on digital policy. Several parliamentarians voiced concerns about exclusion from international processes that shape national legislation and budgets. ‘We cannot act effectively if we are not included or informed,’ a delegate from South Africa noted, calling for better integration of lawmakers into global frameworks like the GDC and WSIS.

To close these gaps, speakers proposed practical solutions, including capacity-building programs, toolkits for mapping GDC priorities locally, and stronger regional parliamentary networks. ‘Parliamentarians are closest to the people’ Ambassador Kah reminded attendees, ‘they play a crucial role in translating global commitments into meaningful local action’

The discussion ended with a renewed call for collaboration: greater inclusion of lawmakers, better alignment of international frameworks with local needs, and stronger efforts to bridge the digital divide. As the world approaches WSIS’ 20-year review in 2025, the path forward requires a unified, inclusive effort to ensure digital advancements reach all corners of society.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Reimagining WSIS: a digital future for all

As the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) nears its 20-year milestone, global leaders gathered at IGF 2024 in Riyadh to reflect on achievements and lay the ground for a unified, inclusive digital future. Amid optimism over growing connectivity—from 1 billion internet users in 2005 to 5.5 billion today—discussions underlined the pressing need to address unresolved challenges, from digital divides to the ethical governance of emerging technologies like AI.

A key takeaway was WSIS’s enduring success in fostering multistakeholder collaboration. Stefan Schnorr, Germany’s State Secretary, lauded the summit for championing inclusivity by saying that ‘WSIS pioneered a framework where governments, private sectors, and civil society shaped digital cooperation together.’ The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a cornerstone WSIS achievement, was celebrated for evolving into a platform addressing critical issues, including AI, misinformation, and connectivity gaps.

However, speakers stressed that progress remains uneven. Nthati Moorosi, Lesotho’s Minister of Information, told a sobering story of disparity: ‘We still have students sitting under trees to learn. Connecting schools is still a long journey for us.’ In other words, connectivity issues are exacerbated by affordability, skills deficits, and energy infrastructure gaps, particularly in the Global South. Thus, addressing such divides is central to aligning WSIS priorities with the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC).

Environmental sustainability emerged as another important discussion, with concerns about the digital sector’s carbon footprint and e-waste. Robert Opp from UNDP emphasised that balancing digital innovation with ecological responsibility must guide the next phase: ‘Data centres alone emit as much carbon as entire nations.’

The discussions also spotlighted inclusivity, particularly in AI and data governance. Many speakers, including Angel González Sanz (UNCTAD), warned of a widening imbalance: ‘118 countries are excluded from AI governance discussions, risking further global inequality.’ A call for greater representation of the Global South resonated again across panellists, marking the necessity for equitable participation in shaping global digital frameworks.

Looking ahead, WSIS+20 will focus on adapting governance frameworks to address emerging technologies while keeping human rights, trust, and digital inclusion at the forefront. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General, offered a rallying appeal by saying: ‘The digital future isn’t written yet, but we can write it together with inclusivity, security, and sustainability at its core.’

As the WSIS process evolves, stakeholders emphasise learning from the past while crafting forward-looking strategies, and IGF remains the crossroads platform for dialogue and a catalyst for solutions to ensure no one is left behind in the ongoing digital era.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Digital futures at a crossroads: aligning WSIS and the Global Digital Compact

The path toward a cohesive digital future was the central theme at the ‘From WSIS to GDC: Harmonising Strategies Towards Coordination‘ session held at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh. Experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives converged to address how the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) framework and the Global Digital Compact (GDC) can work in unison. At the heart of the debate lay two critical imperatives: coordination and avoiding fragmentation.

Panelists, including Jorge Cancio of the Swiss Government and David Fairchild of Canada, underscored the IGF’s central role as a multistakeholder platform for dialogue. However, concerns about its diminishing mandate and inadequate funding surfaced repeatedly. Fairchild warned of ‘a centralisation of digital governance processes,’ hinting at geopolitical forces that could undermine inclusive, global cooperation. Cancio urged an updated ‘Swiss Army knife’ approach to WSIS, where existing mechanisms, like the IGF, are strengthened rather than duplicated.

The session also highlighted emerging challenges since WSIS’s 2005 inception. Amrita Choudhury from MAG and Anita Gurumurthy of IT for Change emphasised that AI, data governance, and widening digital divides demand urgent attention. Gurumurthy lamented that ‘neo-illiberalism,’ characterised by corporate greed and authoritarian politics, threatens the vision of a people-centred information society. Meanwhile, Gitanjali Sah of ITU reaffirmed WSIS’s achievements, pointing to successes like digital inclusion through telecentres and distance learning.

Amid these reflections, the IGF emerged as an essential event for harmonising WSIS and GDC goals. Panellists, including Nigel Cassimire from the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, proposed that the IGF develop performance targets to implement GDC commitments effectively. Yet, as Jason Pielemeier of the Global Network Initiative cautioned, the IGF faces threats of co-optation in settings hostile to open dialogue, which ‘weakens its strength.’

Despite these tensions, hope remained for creative solutions and renewed international solidarity. The session concluded with a call to refocus on WSIS’s original principles—ensuring no one is left behind in the digital future. As Anita Gurumurthy aptly summarised: ‘We reject bad politics and poor economics. What we need is a solidarity vision of interdependence and mutual reciprocity.’

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.