IGF 2016: Policy Options for Connecting and Enabling the Next Billion(s) – Phase II

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is inviting all IGF stakeholders to comment on the second draft of the 'Policy Options for Connecting and Enabling the Next Billions(s)' paper.

The draft has been developed in the framework of the IGF 2016 inter-sessional work, building up on Phase I of the Policy Options for Connecting the Next Billion initiative (conducted in 2015). The first part of the paper looks into the connections between meaningful access and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It investigates stakeholders’ understanding of the barriers to access in order to ascertain how stakeholders can ensure that access is meaningful and thus able to not only connect, but to also enable the next billion(s). Having investigated stakeholders’ understanding of meaningful access, the rest of Part A investigates both general and specific ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) and connectivity can support the SDGs. In Part B of the paper, the focus shifts to local and regional specificities that need to be taken into account when discussing and implementing Policy Options for Connecting and Enabling the Next Billion(s).

A third and final draft of the paper will be published after the IGF 2016 meeting, and will reflect the contributions received during the IGF, as well as any other late contributions.

To contribute to this consultation, visit the IGF Review Platform.