Timeline

IANA stewardship transition

The IANA stewardship transition process, which spanned over two years, concludes with the expiration of the IANA functions contract between ICANN and the US government, and the transition of the IANA functions stewardship to the global internet community. The process started in March 2014, when the US government announced its intention to delegate its oversight role to a global multistakeholder community. Starting October 2016, the IANA functions are performed by the Public Technical Identifiers (PTI), an affiliate of ICANN.

WSIS+10 High-level meeting

The WSIS outcome documents and the UN General Assembly Resolution 60/252 resolved to conduct an overall review of the implementation of the Summit outcomes in 2015. The WSIS+10 review process culminated with an intergovernmental high-level meeting at the United Nations in New York on 15–16 December 2015, which, among other issues, decided to renew the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum with a further 10 years. Other elements tackled in the outcome document of the meeting include: (a) bridging digital divides; (b) human rights in the information society; (c) building confidence and security in the use of ICTs; (d) internet governance; and (e) enhanced cooperation. The document further calls on the General Assembly to hold a high-level meeting on the overall review of the implementation of the WSIS outcomes in 2025.

2015 UN GGE report (A/RES/70/174)

Report of the UN GGE 2015 (later adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/174), which includes:

  • Principles of State sovereignty, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, applies to cyberspace
  • Recognition that states must comply with their obligations under international law to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms
  • Agreement that UN should play a leading role in developing common understandings on the application of international law and norms, rules and principles for responsible State behaviour
  • Other norms, rules, and principles on the responsible behaviour of States
  • Confidence-building measures
  • Invitation for international cooperation and assistance in ICT security and capacity-building

2015 UN GGE Report: Introduction of 11 Principles on Cybersecurity

The report of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (UN GGE) 2015 encompasses principles of State sovereignty, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, applies to cyberspace; recognition that states must comply with their obligations under international law to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, the agreement that UN should play a leading role in developing common understandings on the application of international law and norms, rules and principles for responsible State behaviour, other norms, rules, and principles on the responsible behaviour of states, confidence-building measures (CBMs), and an invitation for international cooperation and assistance in ICT security and capacity building.

The report was later adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/174.

GIP established

The Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), initiated by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) of Switzerland in 2014, provides a neutral and inclusive space for digital policy debates, recognised by the majority of global actors as a platform where different views can be voiced. The GIP is operated by DiploFoundation.

2013 UN GGE report recognises that international law applies to digital space

Report of the UN GGE 2012/2013 (later adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/243), which includes:

  • Recognition that international law, and in particular the UN Charter, applies to digital space
  • Norms, rules, and principles on the responsible behaviour of States
  • Reference that state sovereignty applies to the digital field
  • The principle that states must meet their international obligations regarding internationally wrongful acts in cyberspace attributable to them

2013 UN GGE report (A/68/98)

Report of the UN GGE 2012/2013 (later adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/243), which includes:


  • Recognition that international law, and in particular the UN Charter, applies to digital space



  • Norms, rules, and principles on the responsible behaviour of States



  • Reference that state sovereignty applies to the digital field



  • The principle that states must meet their international obligations regarding internationally wrongful acts in cyberspace attributable to them


World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12)

The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) is convened in Dubai by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to review the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) for the first time since 1988. Concerns are raised on the impact of new reglulations on the future of the internet and internet governance. At the end of the two-week conference, negotiations end in a stalemate: Participants fail to reach consensus and states are bound by two sets of ITRs – the 2012 ones, signed by 89 countries vs the 1988 ones, valid for the rest of ITU member states.