LEADERSHIP PANEL The Internet We Want

Lise Fuhr

The Director General of the European Telecommunications Network Operators, possessing a vast wealth of experience in the area of security, voiced significant concern regarding the burgeoning implications of cybersecurity in relation to our society’s accelerating digitalisation. The sentiment conveyed was neutral-to-positive, revolving around the premise that the Internet and the wider digital society have become deeply entrenched in our daily existences, underlining the critical importance of these systems’ security.

The Director fervently advocates for a future where technology development adheres to a twofold approach. Firstly, it must guarantee safety and security, and secondly, it must bring tangible value to its end-users. This principle mirrors the widespread belief that our increasing reliance on digital technology should not jeopardise its primary integrity nor infringe upon users’ wellbeing.

Moreover, in the quest for robust cybersecurity, a collaborative modus operandi was promoted. In line with this philosophy, every component of the internet ecosystem, from solitary individuals to multinational tech conglomerates, has an indispensable part to play in strengthening the online realm. This extends well beyond merely applying rigorous cybersecurity protocols, encapsulating the requirement for well-defined objectives, sturdy legal frameworks, and heightened cross-border cooperation to buttress these practices.

These proposed topics and measures are in concert with the ambitions of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, underscoring the emphasis on nurturing a resilient infrastructure and promoting innovation. The approach also mirrors the aims of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasising the imperative for global partnerships to fulfil these targets.

In synthesising these perspectives, a consensus is emerging favouring a neutral-to-positive sentiment towards enhancing the security of our rapidly digitalising society. This sentiment goes hand-in-hand with the understanding that accomplishing this calls for not only the creation of secure and valuable technologies but also the cultivation of a cooperative, multi-stakeholder approach to cybersecurity. Key points underscored in these discussions include the expanding role of technology in our lives, our collective responsibility for its security, and the resulting demand for collaboration and innovation.

Karoline Edtstadler

The detailed summary unveils a deep focus on numerous intertwined topics, notably the importance and necessity of internet governance, the crucial role of regulations, and the ongoing demand for innovation within the broader internet environment.

The discussion kicked off with the recognition of the internet’s significance in our daily lives, drawing attention to virtual meetings as a critical component of contemporary collaboration. The dialogue commenced online, with the majority of the group collaborating virtually from Vienna. The sentiment expressed was distinctively positive, underlining the value of familiarising and effectively cooperating together despite geographical constraints invoked by remote engagements.

Internet governance arose as a primary theme, addressing the interplay of legal and ethical considerations. The conversation presented a compelling argument for a rights-oriented approach to internet regulations, particularly in relation to human rights. The received sentiment was also overwhelmingly positive, indicating that the incorporation of human rights considerations within the regulatory development process is viewed as vital.

Meanwhile, a balanced discourse encompassed the need for persistent innovation alongside regulations. The debate emphasised the necessity for rules that don’t stifle creativity and progress. This argument was met with positive sentiment, accentuating the concept that innovation significantly contributes to practical applications that benefit society at large.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was another significant topic of discussion, with notable instances of AI technologies, like chat-bots, being utilised as evidence of their widespread usage and their profound learning capabilities. Recognising such examples signified an appreciation for AI’s ubiquitous nature and stressed the requirement for users to continually adapt and learn from these technologies.

A key ongoing project, referred to as ‘the internet we want’, was highlighted and noted to be on track for completion by next year. The group’s commitment to developing a blueprint for governance that aligns with user expectations and regulatory requirements underscored this project’s significance.

Ultimately, the group’s openness and willingness to welcome new suggestions and ideas were emphasised, championing the cross-cutting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of partnership for the achievement of these objectives. This was met with positive sentiment, signifying the group’s eagerness to motivate dialogue and participation, which are critical components for the creation of people-centric internet governance and regulations.

‘Gbenga Sesan

This comprehensive analysis commences by underscoring the fundamental essence of upholding human rights in both online and offline spheres. This perspective arises from a longstanding global consensus that has spanned over the past 75 years, with human dignity remaining central to our experiences and expectations.

Simultaneously, the overview presents a balanced viewpoint on the Internet. Acknowledging it as a practical tool providing solutions to numerous issues, it also cautions against harmful behaviours that may stem from its misuse. This equilibrium highlights the Internet’s potential for both beneficial and detrimental impact, particularly in connection to the widespread challenge of misinformation, which can jeopardise societal well-being.

An essential recommendation advocates for the implementation of a human rights-based approach to Internet governance. This innovative viewpoint inherently promotes the upholding of digital rights by all stakeholders partaking in the regulation of the online landscape. It suggests that framing online regulation in respect of human rights can ultimately unlock the full benefits, and manage the pitfalls, of the Internet.

Furthermore, the methodical analysis recognises the pivotal role of the Internet in facilitating rights tied to education, public participation, and access to information. The recent Covid-19 pandemic illustrated the criticality of online access for the continuity of education of school-going children. Moreover, the widespread reach of the Internet enhances civic involvement in public and cultural life, thereby evidencing the expansive ambit of Internet rights.

Lastly, the analysis accentuates the necessity to safeguard the rights of businesses of all sizes operating on the Internet. Particularly, small businesses which may grapple for attention, thereby leading to the overemphasis on protecting their rights. In turn, this necessitates a concerted response from all stakeholders to establish and defend these rights.

The sentiment imbued in the summary is chiefly positive, whilst a neutral stance is maintained in terms of the Internet’s potential for harm. This aligns with the realistic understanding that albeit the Internet hosts numerous opportunities, it also bears certain risks requiring proactive and collaborative governance. The text adheres to UK spelling and contains keywords including human rights, Internet governance, digital rights, education, public participation, misinformation and business rights.

Hiroshi Yoshida

The advancement of the internet is largely attributed to its open and free network system, indicative of the technology’s human-centred approach. This ethos has nurtured the continued development and multi-faceted utility of the internet as we know it today. Importantly, it has also initiated a rise in attention to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a platform representing this philosophy. Advocating a multi-stakeholder stance, the IGF has become an attractive destination for innovators, policy makers, and other stakeholders, emphasising its importance in preserving the internet’s openness and accessibility.

Alongside the influence of the IGF, global dialogues around internet governance have developed, unveiling intriguing concepts that could sculpt the digital environment. A notable instance is the notion of ‘data-free trust’, which was introduced by Japan at the G20 Osaka Summit in 2019. This idea argues for a substantial, operational establishment of trust in the digital domain, moving beyond theoretical discussions to become a practical aspect of internet usage. Such advancement is crucial to promoting online safety, security, and user confidence.

Simultaneously, the terrain of internet technology continues to evolve with unprecedent speed with the advent of new infrastructures such as non-terrestrial systems and the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Programme’s high-altitude platform system. This swift pace of technology is also reflected in the rise of generative AI applications. While these innovations signal a new epoch for the digital industry, they introduce a unique set of challenges. These difficulties demand prompt and comprehensive mitigation strategies to ensure the industry can effectively take advantage of these new technological developments without hampering user experience or compromising security.

In conclusion, there is a sustained call to ensure that the internet’s foundational tenets of being open, free, and human-centred are maintained. Key to this goal is an ongoing commitment to a multi-stakeholder model of internet management. This approach ensures that interests and contributions from multiple parties are considered, promoting a balanced and democratic framework that preserves freedoms while fostering innovation.

Maria Fernanda Garza

The focal point of the discussion revolves around the significant role of the internet, underpinning various sectors including agriculture, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. It is viewed as an essential tool that catalyses growth and promotes innovation. There is a strong argument for the internet to be universal and all-inclusive, serving everyone regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status.

Despite the vast potential and pervasion of the internet, it’s distressing that approximately 2.6 billion individuals globally remain unconnected. This digital divide demands urgent attention, standing in stark contradiction to the pursuit of internet universality and inclusivity, and excluding a significant portion of the global population from reaping the benefits of technological progress and the digital economy.

The discourse accentuates the necessity for collaborative endeavours from diverse stakeholders – governments, businesses and civil society. These actors possess the requisite influence and resources capable of fuelling change and bridging the existing digital gap. There is a clear emphasis on promoting digital literacy, considering some individuals struggle with digital technologies due to a lack of requisite skills.

Moreover, to make the internet universally appealing, it must provide diverse and compelling content. Some people may stay offline not because of lacking access, but due to a lack of relevant or engaging content available in their native language. These points reiterate the need for an internet that is both captivating and linguistically inclusive.

These views made in the discourse have concrete alignments with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. They underscore the necessity of technological advancements and collective efforts in addressing the global digital divide and promoting equality of opportunity. There is a palpable positive sentiment, emphasising the immense potential for improvement in internet accessibility, inclusivity, and utility.

Huria Ali

The encompassing analysis under scrutiny advocates bolstering digital connectivity and inclusion, with a particular emphasis on the nation of Ethiopia. It includes distinctive, albeit interconnected, methodologies such as the enhancement of essential infrastructure for improved Internet accessibility, initiatives promoting digital literacy and the implementation of strategies to provide affordable digital services. Cumulatively, these strategies contribute towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure as well as Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Primarily, the necessity for Internet connectivity and its potential to revolutionise Ethiopia’s interface with the global community is highlighted. This notion is tethered to SDGs 9 and 11, ardently advocating the construction of communal infrastructure to reinforce accessibility.

Subsequently, the emphasis is placed on digital inclusion, underscoring the need for comprehensive Internet access at affordable rates for all. This assertion emanates from the conviction that everyone should be granted equal opportunities to benefit from the digital era. Implementing this is vital to achieving SDG 9, aiming to narrow the digital divide and ensure that no one is left behind in the technological surge.

Further to this, an importance is placed on the promotion of digital literacy and skill development. This initiative aligns with SDGs 4 and 8, representing Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth respectively. The analysis suggests that individuals well-versed in digital literacy can not only become proficient learners through technology but can also evolve into creators of innovative tech solutions. The main focus lies in executing a people-centric approach that underscores skill enhancement.

In addition, the ‘Digital Ethiopia 2025’ strategy is deemed a critical platform for driving this digital transformation. The plan entails the liberalisation of the telecom sector, an improvement in service quality, whilst also aiming to make both digital services and devices economically viable. This strategy aligns further with SDG 9, demonstrating the role of industry, innovation and infrastructure in achieving digital evolution.

Finally, the imperative for cooperative global efforts and the harmonisation of policies is strongly emphasised. The standpoint is rooted in the belief that a better world can only be shaped through global collaboration. Constructive steps being taken include efforts to fortify financial sectors and nurture young innovators at a national level. This vision aligns coherently with SDG 17, dedicated towards strengthening global partnerships.

In essence, the examination carries a positive sway, reflecting an optimistic approach towards achieving digital advancement. The analysis outlines an insightful route on how digital inclusion, education and global cooperation could create sustainable development and transform societies. The summary embodies accurately the primary text, all the time ensuring UK grammar and spelling are observed and encapsulating as many long-tail keywords as possible whilst maintaining summary quality.

Amandeep Gill

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), globally recognised as a distinct multi-stakeholder forum, has been identified as a pivotal player in implementing the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Created by the United Nations, the IGF has gained substantial credibility due to its diverse participation and significant depth of expertise. Additionally, it’s uniquely positioned as the only forum where the public policy aspects of the internet can be comprehensively discussed.

The Global Digital Compact is emerging as a universal framework, providing a vital roadmap for shaping our digital future. The Global Digital Compact is in alignment with the vision of the UN Secretary General that emphasises the need to periodically revisit and revitalise our approach towards the digital future, taking the rapidly evolving nature of the internet into account.

A key takeaway from the discourse is the significance of the multi-stakeholder approach. This collaborative way of working is critical, not just leading up to the Global Digital Compact, but equally important in maintaining it post-implementation. The multi-stakeholder approach is crucial in ensuring a balanced, inclusive, and democratic digital future.

In conclusion, the Global Digital Compact is seen as a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity. As we navigate a swiftly transforming digital era, the role of authoritative forums like the IGF becomes increasingly relevant. Coupled with multi-stakeholder collaboration and a shared global framework like the Global Digital Compact, we are better equipped to navigate and reshape the trajectory of our digital future. Therefore, any steps towards the development and execution of the Global Digital Compact should be supported, as they constitute valuable contributions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Maria Ressa

Data has emerged as the heartbeat of the Internet in the contemporary world, with its unfettered flow enabling an array of essential functions such as the provision of public services, the seamless operation of daily business tasks, and the promotion of global collaboration. Central to this is trust, a constituent deemed essential for resilient and sustainable economic advancement. This argument is underpinned by ‘SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure’ and ‘SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’.

Conversely, acknowledgment must be given to the potential adverse impacts of data misuse. The manipulation of data, for instance, can disunite and cause societal ruptures. This summons grave concerns about social harm, thus projecting uncertainties over the merits of unrestricted information flow and trust previously noted. Nonetheless, this aspect correlates with ‘SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’, emphasising the steep price the world may face if data is misapplied.

Within this context, the imperative role of governments comes to the fore. As the primary protectors of citizen rights and freedoms, they are duty-bound to uphold and safeguard these entitlements, especially privacy rights. Public trust in institutions and the system as a whole is inevitably solidified when governments exhibit staunch commitments to guarding the rights and freedoms of individuals. Such commitments not only facilitate a balanced narrative in the data-focused realm but also symbolise governmental preparedness to shield individuals from potential dangers of data exploitation.

In conclusion, the dialogue surrounding data flow and trust on the Internet is far from monochrome. It requires precise attention and judicious management to ensure that while data persists as the backbone of operations in the digital sphere, the rights and freedoms of individuals are neither compromised nor sacrificed, thus striking a delicate yet indispensable equilibrium. This balance could carve the pathway towards attaining ‘SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure’ and ‘SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’.

Vinton Cerf

The principal points of the analysed material revolve around essential aspects of internet governance, its connectivity, the necessity for safety and trust, the enforcement of human rights within the digital domain, and the critical need for evolution in parallel with technological advancements. The document primarily supports the indispensability of an unrestricted and open internet, promoting not just the free progression of information but also embodying a fundamental connection among computer-based systems. This promotes innovation, reduces disparities and fosters quality education, hence aligning with the objectives set by Global Goals Nine and Ten.

Nevertheless, a darker dimension of this increased connectivity has been brought to light, encompassing the misuse of such technologies for undesirable activities, forming the basis for the negative sentiment in the discussion. The need for a system where trust is a pivotal component in the successful exchange of data and business transactions is emphasised, especially as safety and security do not entirely eradicate the risk of misinformation, disinformation or instances of hate speech.

Venturing into the realm of human rights, ‘Gbenga Sesan underscores the critical need to ensure these rights in the digital sphere, such as the right to education, participation in public and cultural life, and access to information. Echoing this stance, Vinton Cerf recognises the importance of a human rights-based approach to internet governance and calls for ongoing corrective measures in its implementation.

A neutral sentiment present in the document acknowledges ‘The Internet We Want’ paper’s inclination towards evolution, reflecting the continual and inescapable advancements of the internet. The paper, far from being static, develops congruently with the internet, a reality made visible in its transition from being initially used for the American Defense Department to its current role as a more intricate entity.

Supporting the concept of the internet as a diverse ecosystem operating predominantly via software is also a salient point. The collection of devices, systems and software which collectively form the Internet, are artefacts created by human beings. Therefore, this underlines the ecosystem’s inherent diversity and its associated challenges in management. It is acknowledged that while safety and security are necessary, they are not adequate in designing the kind of internet everyone desires.

A point of significance is the appreciation expressed for a meeting venue in Japan, described as ‘spectacular’ and ‘beautiful’. Moreover, the analysis highlights the positive role that the functioning Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has played over the past 18 years, as well as its potential contribution to shaping and evolving the Global Digital Compact. The anticipation for ongoing engagement with the facilitators of the Global Digital Compact is a testament to the optimistic outlook on the role of IGF in this crucial project.

In conclusion, the report emphasises the vast opportunities proffered by the internet and related technologies while outlining the challenges that have emerged in its wake. It suggests a need for continuous adaptation, governance, and a human rights-based approach to harness fully the potential of the digital revolution.

Paul Mitchell

In an exploration of discussions centring on the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), several key themes and points of interest were unearthed, with a specific accent on the adaptability and latent capacity of this platform. Paul Mitchell, as the chair of the MAG with two years of distinguished experience, expressed a favourable sentiment towards the IGF. He emphasised its malleable nature, elaborating on its potential to adapt and meet a broad spectrum of objectives.

Mitchell’s enthusiasm for the IGF’s proficiencies was reinforced through examples of spirited engagement and passion displayed within the forum. The palpable evidence, including the compelling statistic of more than 8,000 registered participants, strongly insinuated the considerable potential that the IGF possesses. Mitchell attested to this potential, stating how it could be harnessed to an even greater extent given suitable managerial supervision.

Nevertheless, Mitchell candidly recognised the dual nature of any platform such as the IGF. Reflecting sentiments relating to potential use and misuse, he emphasised that these platforms could result in outcomes that are less optimal. This awareness directly pertains to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9).

In synopsis, the dialogue served to highlight the inherent versatility and potential housed by the IGF. It was contended that the IGF’s flexibility was contingent on aspects such as creativity, cooperation, diligent work ethic, and strategic initiatives, and that realising its potential would necessitate principles aligning with SDG 9. Conversely, it was clarified that platforms of this ilk also pose risks related to misuse, thus underlining the need for prudence and responsibility to counter any potential adverse impacts.

Chengetai Masango

In August of the previous year, the Secretary General of the United Nations instigated the formation of a Leadership Panel, aiming to deliver strategic advice and insights into Internet Governance, thereby significantly contributing to Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Chaired by Vint Cerf and Maria Ressa, the panel is composed of ten esteemed members.

Among the panel, five ex-officio members – the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology, the presiding chair of the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG), and the hosts of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) – lend considerable authority and expertise. The inclusion of these individuals conveys a positive sentiment regarding the panel’s constitution and function.

The Panel’s key goal aligns with Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by actively promoting the IGF and its outputs. Insinuated is that through encouraging high-level and broad-ranging stakeholder engagement, there could be the emergence of innovative ideas and advancements within the industry.

Amongst the critical functions of the panel, it acts as a bridge between the IGF and other global fora. As such, the panel ensures the distribution of the IGF’s outputs to various forums and reciprocally garners their insights and knowledge. This symbiotic exchange allows for a more globally inclusive perspective when tackling Internet Governance.

To summarise, the UN’s Leadership Panel plays a crucial advisory role in Internet Governance. It aims to enhance IGF’s influence, encourage widespread stakeholder engagement, and facilitate global knowledge exchange. These endeavours highlight its central part in promoting the objectives of industry innovation and infrastructural development whilst nurturing significant international partnerships. Thus, its inception fosters positive developments within the realm of Internet Governance.

Chengetai Masango:
the Internet We Want paper. If you could please take your seats. Thank you very much and thank you for your patience. I know that we are the ones that are between you and the gala dinner, but I assure you this will be a great session. Just as a form of introduction, the leadership panel was established by the United Nations Secretary General last August, and it is supposed to be a strategic, empowered, and multi-stakeholder body to support and strengthen the IGF. It has three key functions, and one is to provide strategic inputs and advice on the IGF. The second one is to promote the IGF and its outputs, supporting both high-level and at-large multi-stakeholder engagement in the IGF and also IGF fundraising efforts. The last priority is to exchange IGF outputs from the forum to other fora and also vice versa and bringing it back into the IGF, and also leveraging the right MAG expertise so they are working in concert with the multi-stakeholder advisory group of the IGF. And the panel consists of 10 members. It’s chaired by Vint Cerf, and our vice chair is Maria Ressa. They will introduce themselves later, going down. And there is also five ex-official members. One is the Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology, and the other one is the current MAG chair, and followed by three, which is the current host of the IGF, the previous host of the IGF, and the upcoming host of the IGF. So with that, I’ll give the floor to the chair of the leadership panel, Mr. Vint Cerf, to take it on from here. Thank you.

Vinton Cerf:
Thank you so much, Chengetai, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for your patience as we got ourselves organized. In case you’re wondering about the empty chair, we’re hoping that the tech envoy, Amadip Gill, will be able to join us when he gets here. In the meantime, what we would like to talk to you about is a paper that the leadership panel developed over the past several months. It’s called The Internet We Want. What I would like to emphasize for you is that the term internet in this context is far broader than simply the thing connecting computers together, which, to be quite frank, was what I was focused on 50 years ago when the Internet Project was first launched. But 50 years later, it is everything, is connected to everything, including you and me, people, automotive things, devices, and businesses, governments, all kinds of different parts of our planet are interconnected, not as completely as we would like and not as usefully always as we would like. And that’s why we want to talk to you about the Internet and writ large that we collectively think that we want and will work towards, and we hope that you will join us in this. The Internet Governance Forum, as you well know, has been underway for 18 years. And in that time, it has itself evolved along with the Internet. And I might say it must continue to evolve in order to satisfy the needs of this growing online digital world. digital environment, and I am proud to say that I have every confidence that the IGF and its secretariat and all of you who make up its activities will continue to evolve to meet the needs of this demanding online environment. So I also want to acknowledge Paul Mitchell, who is in the middle there. Paul, if you’ll raise your hand. He is the outgoing chair of the MAG. I would like to invite you to thank him, perhaps prematurely, because he does not escape until the end of the week. But can I ask that we acknowledge all of the hard work he’s done? Of course, as Paul will tell you, a great deal of what he is capable of accomplishing is done through the very, very active support of the secretariat. Finally, I’m going to just mention a few specific things about this paper that I would like to draw to your attention, and then I’m going to ask various of the panel members to make some specific remarks, and I’ll introduce them as we do that. So with regard to the paper, The Internet We Want, the thing that we would like most clearly is that it stays whole. That is to say, it is connected. I could not overemphasize the importance of connectivity. It was the fundamental purpose of the network was to provide connectivity among computer-based systems way, way back in 1973, at the time focused on the needs of the American Defense Department looking for the use of computers in command and control. How far we have come from that initial vision to something far greater, far more powerful, and far more challenging to manage, as you will hear in the rest of this session. We wanted to also stay as open as we can possibly make it. Once again, why is that important? Because it’s the free flow of information, which we heard about this morning in the first session that animates this system, that makes it useful. Without the flow of information, this is a dead object which doesn’t do anything useful. However, as we maintain connectivity, we have discovered, let us say, unanticipated… or at least undesirable consequences of this massive connectivity. And we’ve discovered frankly that people are people and they take advantage of technologies that have this kind of amplification capacity for purposes that perhaps you and I would agree are not in anyone’s best interest or at least certainly not in everyone’s best interest. So we want to keep the internet whole and open and that is the beginning of the discussion that this paper contemplates. Last point I want to make is that this is not a static paper. The leadership panel recognizes that the evolution of the internet, the evolution of IGF and this paper must go into the future anticipating further changes and developments as we learn how to solve some of the problems that we encounter today. So I’m going to turn next to Maria Fernanda who has been on the stage several times already. She’s the board chair of the ICC and a very respected member of the panel. And Maria Fernanda is going to speak to the universal and inclusive nature of the internet we want. I’ll be calling on a few other of the board members specifically after which I will be asking them for general remarks about their involvement in this desirable properties of the internet. But let me call on Maria Fernanda first. Maria.

Maria Fernanda Garza:
Thank you very much, Vint. One of the key characteristics of the internet we want is for it to be universal and inclusive for everyone. The internet today underpins agriculture, energy, healthcare, manufacturing and education. It has fundamentally changed the way people interact with their peers, business and governments. Universal and meaningful connectivity can drive economic development, improve education, healthcare and access to information while fostering innovation and social inclusion. However, despite significant progress in expanded internet access, 2.6 billion people remain unconnected. Some of those people lack a way to get online or cannot afford to do so requiring further infrastructure and innovative technological policy approaches to expand connectivity. However, it’s not just about providing infrastructure. Some people may not have the skills to use digital technologies in the way they want. Some might not have a reason to go online because there is no contact which gives them a compelling reason to engage in digital technologies or which is not in their language. We need to be cognizant of the way in which these three things, access, skills and applications interact to reinforce digital divides. Achieving this goal will require collaborative efforts from governments, business, civil society and other stakeholders to ensure that the internet is accessible, affordable and beneficial to everyone, everywhere. To expand meaningful connectivity, all stakeholders must have a better understanding of how information and communication technologies work in practice, including the ICT ecosystem, the roles of stakeholders and relevant policy issues. Frameworks for the internet connectivity should be based on light-touch policies and regulations that encourage universal access, competition, innovation and the development of new technologies. Efforts to deliver universal connectivity should balance the needs of all stakeholders, be data-driven, promote interoperability and standards and facilitate investment across the digital value chain. The Internet We Want paper. calls on all stakeholders to set goals for achieving universal, meaningful connectivity, promoting the adoption of new technologies and addressing skill gaps. We count on the IGF community to help us in formulating those goals, set the metrics to measure the progress and think about how they can move this work forward together and faster. Thank you, Vint. Thank you so much,

Vinton Cerf:
Maria. As always, your words are very thoughtful and also challenge us to move ahead along the lines that you suggest. I’d like to call now on our vice-chair, Maria Ressa, to speak to the free-flowing and trustworthy nature of the Internet. You heard from her earlier today on some of the difficulties that we encounter that she has personally encountered in this online environment. So, Maria, the chair, the microphone anyway, and the floor is

Maria Ressa:
yours. Thanks, Vint. This is one of the five pillars that we had put together for the Internet We Want. I am the novice and I deferred to the collective wisdom of the group in so many ways, but the panel this morning also tackled this, that data flows. Data is the the core part of the Internet today. It is the lifeblood of the Internet, but it must be free-flowing and trustworthy. The cross-border data flows that really underpin the delivery of these public services that we need, everyday business functions, and collaboration for which the processing and transfer of both personal and non-personal data are integral, making trust a vital element for resilient and sustainable economic growth. In the earlier panel, I talked about the social harms, the way the data, the manipulation of data can tear us apart, but far more important now is really what is the vision of how we are going to be able to pull this together. We believe trust is key. It’s strengthened when governments adopt robust and comprehensive commitments to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals, of all of us, including the fundamental right to privacy. Cooperation between governments and all is needed to set interoperable policy frameworks that would facilitate the cross-border data flows. We call on the stakeholders of the internet, that is all of us, to set goals to unlock the value of the data flows for sustainable development and enshrine trust as the prerequisite for data-sharing regimes founded on the protection of data.

Vinton Cerf:
Every time I listen to you, Maria, I think how important it is that we listen to your experience and also the challenges that you put before us. Trust is incredibly hard to gain and easy to lose. You’ve heard that more than once, and it’s worth reiterating. What I think is most serious is figuring out how to build trust into the system. The part that I find the most troubling is that there is no magic that technology will introduce to make trust happen. Trust is a concept between people and institutions. We learn trust from experience. It’s not a magic bullet that a digital signature assures. Accountability is important. The ability to identify parties is important. How would we do business transactions without trust? about that. We learn to trust because we learn to trust sources of information based on experience. So we have a long ways to go in this online environment to establish the kinds of trust that we learned to establish in the offline environments that we’ve lived in for so many years. Well, speaking of safety and security, Lise Fuhr, who is the Director General of the European Telecommunications Network Operators and a distinguished member of this panel, has something to tell us about safety and security. So, Lisa?

Lise Fuhr:
Thank you, Vint. And cybersecurity and security has been one of the things close to my heart for many, many years. So I’m very glad to be talking about this with this esteemed panel and these esteemed colleagues, because this is a brain trust of many people with different backgrounds and different approach to Internet and security in general. But the more embedded and the more digital our lives become, we need, of course, to make sure that cyberspace is safe and secure. And it’s not only the Internet, as we also started with saying, it’s everything digital, because it’s more than the Internet today. It’s Internet of Things, but it’s also AI and it’s the things that are underpinning the systems, underpinning our software, anything related to cars, banks, et cetera. We are so strongly depending on digital, we’re strongly depending on the Internet, so we need to make sure that it’s well-functioning. And the ICANN chair, Tripti Sinha, said it very beautifully earlier today. She said tech is built for people, and we need to make sure that it brings value to people. And I think being safe and secure is another thing underpinning the value of anything in tech. So strengthening cyber security is one target that we think is extremely important in the leadership panel. But of course we need to make it safe without jeopardizing the openness and without harming any trust in the Internet. And security is an area where all parts of the Internet ecosystem need to work together to ensure it. So we need an Internet that would stay safe and secure, but we also need to have a joint effort to make sure that this is happening. And that’s why we think it’s important that we – or even paramount, sorry – that we will set goals to establish and implement robust frameworks for cyber security, including legal structures, practices, and cross-border cooperation to combat cyber crime. But again, this is something we need to talk about and set goals and measures together, and this is why it’s important we’re here to reach out to all of you to understand how you see it. Thank you.

Vinton Cerf:
Thank you so much, Lisa. I want to emphasize something that she mentioned. She used the word software. I think it’s really important for everyone in this room to recognize that the Internet is made up of software. It is an extremely diverse ecosystem. And the fact that these are artifacts created by human beings – and I’ll set aside the fact that some large language models seem to be able to write programs as well, that’s an interesting thing to contemplate – our problems with software relate to the fact that we can never do this perfectly. Moreover, I use the word diverse ecosystem on purpose. The vast array of devices that are part of the Internet represent not a single uniform and unified system. It is a – in an extremely diverse ecosystem of software. And no surprise that it doesn’t always work perfectly. So our safety and security here is an objective, but it’s not something that I expect we could guarantee. And let us pretend for a moment that the internet was in fact actually, purely, absolutely safe and secure. That would still not protect us against some of the problems that Maria points out, because people would use the safe and secure internet to pass misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and all the other problems that we’ve encountered. So safety and security are necessary, but not sufficient to create the internet that we want. Speaking of rights and rights respecting aspects, I’d like to call on ‘Gbenga Sesan, who is the Executive Director of Paradigm in Nigeria. So, ‘Gbenga, the floor is yours.

‘Gbenga Sesan:
Thank you, Vint. So 75 years ago, in Paris, everyone, you know, various countries, various stakeholders agreed on one thing. It’s always tough to agree on one thing, but we all agreed on human rights. A lot has changed in those 75 years, but one thing hasn’t changed. The fact that dignity is still at the center of human experience and expectation, and that’s why, as part of the internet we want, we strongly believe that human rights must be respected online and offline, and in all forms of expressions of online, be it on the internet, be it on digital devices, or be it on devices that don’t exist yet. And, of course, we have learned that certain behaviors on the internet can be very harmful to our societies, but the internet we want is one where everyone is protected from those harms. A human rights-based approach to Internet governance is required to realize the full potentials and full benefits of the Internet. There are many opportunities, there are many problems that we wish to solve using the Internet, and we may not be able to do that if we do not make sure that rights are respected. And this is including the right to education. As we learned three years ago, when people had to go online to go to school, it was impossible for many children across the world to learn. We know today that those children not only lost what they could have learned, but they also lost skills that their contemporaries were able to pick up because they were online and were able to moderate their own expectations and learning experiences. Not just in education, also participation in public and cultural life. The right to gather, the right to discuss, the right to participate is absolutely important. And anything that restricts such participations is something we need to work on so that we can realize the full potential of the Internet. Also, access to information. Of course, not just access to information that we want people to hear, but access to information. And we must also ensure the rights of businesses of all sizes. And I like that we’ve emphasized here that it’s businesses of all sizes, because there are small businesses that may fight for attention, but their rights must also be protected in this space. And these reasons are why we say that every stakeholder, from government to civil society to private sector to the technical community to the media, to every other stakeholder. So, I’m going to start by saying that we have to set goals. We have to set goals to ensure that a human-rights-based approach is what we take to Internet governance, and to promote digital rights in this online space, and, like I said earlier, you know, we had that conversation 75 years ago. We don’t know what 75 years from now will look like, but at least one thing we do know is that human dignity will be at the centre of human expectation and experiences, and we must respect that, right now,online and offline.

Vinton Cerf:
You know, I listen to ‘Gbenga, and you just want to do what he’s saying. You know, you’re just so passionate about this. What I conclude as I listen, though, to what ‘Gbenga had to say, is that we are not likely to achieve perfection in this aspirationIn the absence of perfection, we must achieve correction We must mid-course correct our vector in the Internet’s evolution in order to get closer to that very desirable outcome that ‘Gbenga so beautifully expressed. So, I’d like to call on Huria now to speak about the problems that she faces in EthiopiaShe is the State Minister of Innovation And Technologynow there is a wonderful title, and a huge burden. So, I would like to hear from you, Huria, about the challenges you see in your country to get the Internet in place so people can use it.

Huria Ali:
Than you so much. And, I would like to thank Mr. Chairman. What do we want? All the internet we want in our country especially as I am living in Africa. So what we really need is we need to connect with all over the world. This is the priority of our country. How is the basic cost? How we can make it? How we can connect with the other world is the major thing. So to do this, the first thing is we need to have the infrastructure. We need to provide the internet access for all in the country and in the continent. So to do this, we need to have a common infrastructure to have to spread or improve the accessibility of all people connecting the internet. So while we are having a common infrastructure that we are going to have a common content or because we are living in a diverse country, diverse society, so especially if we check Ethiopia, we have more than 18 languages in the country. So while they are having the infrastructure, they need to use it in their own language too. So we need to work on the content too. They have to use the internet to content. To do this, we need to work on the digital skills, the development of the skills, digital literacy. So when people have the literacy, they can use the technology, they can learn from technology, and they can create a technology, because they easily understand what does it mean. So the first thing we are working on building the infrastructure, which is connectivity and power, and the other infrastructures which are needed, it has to be working first. Then the enabling systems, digital enabling systems like digital ID, digital payments and cybersecurity, so they will follow after the infrastructure. So the third one would be the platforms, which are very important to interact with the different technology activities like e-government, e-service and e-commerce. So our people are working on that. So the ecosystem is the most important thing. We need to center our people. Our work has to be centric on the people. We need to work on this. If they have the skills, the digital skills, it’s easy to use the technology for them. So we are working on the people to have the necessary skills, so when they have the skills, they can use the technologies and they can work on that issues. So in Ethiopia, what we did is we already launched the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy. So with four pillars, building the infrastructure, and like connectivity, we liberalize the telecom sector. So we are inviting different telecom sectors to our country. So, this will, we are expecting that it will improve the quality service, because not having the infrastructure is not enough. It has to be quality. The services has to be quality, and accessibility is the most important thing, meaningful accessibility. When we are saying meaningful accessibility, it has to be, the services has to be quality in terms of internet, in terms of using mobile services. And it has to be reasonable also, affordability is the critical thing. Even though there is some infrastructures, some services, if they are not affordable, they cannot use it. So it has to be affordable, not only in terms of the price, in terms of the devices they are using. So we need to invest a lot to provide reasonable devices, price of devices, the country, and the content also very important. To do this, people are competing and working on that. So this is how we are working at a country level, especially building the ecosystem is strengthening our financial sectors to support our innovative young people who are creating a lot of new technologies, advanced technologies. So we need to support, to coordinate, because I always believe that the world has a common goal. to make a better place, a better world for every humanity. So this is for all of us. We need to cooperate. We need to collaborate to make a better world for everyone. So we need to connect those people who are not connected yet. As we know, the number is big. So we have to connect that to do so. We need to work together. We need to collaborate on the world. Thank you.

Vinton Cerf:
So there you have the global picture in one country. All the problems that we’re faced with show up in Ethiopia. It’s a fractal system. Everything is recursive. If you solve your problems, you will help us solve those same problems around the rest of the world. I’d like to call on Karoline Edtstadler next who is the Federal Minister for the European Union and the Constitution in Austria who is never at a loss for words and who’s been introduced to you earlier. So Karolina, perhaps you can help us see this internet we want from your perspective as a legislator.

Karoline Edtstadler:
Thank you so much, Vint, godfather of the internet, if I may say so. I just wanted to give it a big picture because you are maybe impressed or not impressed by what we are presenting to you. But I would like to show you that it was not so easy when we started our work. We spread all over the world. We started our first debates online. Okay, this is maybe normal for an internet governance forum leadership panel. But on the other hand, if you don’t know each other, it’s not so easy. You have to get to know each other. And we all know how we suffered during the pandemic, not getting into touch with each other. So now we know each other quite well, I would say. We met for the first time, as I remember, in a physical way in Ethiopia. I invited the group also to Vienna. Almost all of the group were there. And now it’s the next event after Geneva. Genf, in Austrian. in Switzerland and now here in Tokyo and I think we are in many steps forward now in the meantime because we have this paper, the internet we want, we can feed to this paper, we have some pillars as Maria Ressa mentioned, there is also something which is very important from my view, the rights approach, so we have the need to have a human rights approach also for the maybe regulations we need without stopping innovation, so and this is what we reached also in civil society, there is a lot more of awareness and of course everyone has AI in his or her hands with chat-gbt and other applications, so this is the work how we try to fulfill our mandate also which should end in August next year maybe a bit later because we want to feed into the digital global compact also and we are of course open for your ideas and recommendations also and your experiences because I think AI is learning a lot every day, so do we, at least we try, even if we are not that quick and we hope also for your contributions, thank you so much.

Vinton Cerf:
Thank you so much Carolina and on that last point for all of you those who are listening and those who are on the distribution list for the IGF, we hope that you will take some time to read this paper and react to it, we want to express what we believe are your principles and your aspirations, if we have not done so we need to know that and so we ask you please to respond with your ideas and your comments and criticisms. We have a few other speakers that I would like to call upon and we won’t quite end at 6.15 but we’ll try to be crisp about this, I’d like to ask Hiroshi Yoshida-san, you are our host in some sense here in Japan. Japan, here in Kyoto. And may I say, it has been a magnificent reception. The organization is spectacular, the venue is beautiful, and we are taking great advantage and pleasure in meeting here. But what is important is what you have learned from your involvement with the panel and your engagement with the internet in Japan and elsewhere. What else would you add to what we’ve already said about the internet we want? Thank you.

Hiroshi Yoshida:
Thank you, Vint. And first of all, I would like to welcome you all to Kyoto. And this is an ancient city, and it’s a very beautiful place. And I hope you’ll have a time to look around this city. And about the internet we want, why do you think internet has developed for these 50 years? So I think that it is open and free network system. And the center concept is human-centered network. And also, one more question. Why IGF, Internet Governance Forum, is attracting many people, so it is a multi-stakeholder approach. So many stakeholders can come together and discuss how we can improve the internet. And so more and more people are taking part in the discussion here. And this year, more than 8,000 registrants. And 6,000 of them are in person. And 70 or 80% are coming from abroad. And so these two concepts are very important. Of course, we have many challenges, as referred to by previous speakers. So we’re still now on the way of building up trust. So Japan advocated the concept of data-free trust in G20 Osaka meeting in 2019. And so that concept is well known now. But we think that it should be shifted to operational stage, not conceptual stage. So we want to accelerate data flow by building up trust. And of course, other issues, including cybersecurity and other things, new challenges are coming up. And we should cope with them. And also new technologies are coming up. And so there are many evolutions. And of course, for example, a network system is changing from a fixed network to a mobile system. And now there are many non-terrestrial systems. So low satellites are very typical. And we also have a newer system that is called HAARP’s high-altitude platform system. So we should not hesitate to introduce those new technologies. Of course, there are many challenges to doing so. For example, for generative AI, we have many challenges. We are starting a long, long discussion. But the technology is going so fast. So we should do it in a very short period. We should cope with those challenges in a very short period. It is a very hard task, but we should do it. But anyway, so there are many challenges and many new technologies coming up. But what we should keep, some basic concepts that should not be changed. There are some points that I referred to in the first point. It is open and free. and the human-centred and multi-stakeholder approach, those concepts should be kept. And with that basic concept, we should do our work on the Internet. Thank you very much.

Vinton Cerf:
Thank you very much. Thank you so much, Yoshida-san. I think I would interpret some of your remarks to suggest that the IGF has enormous potential and has enormous capacity. That’s all of you who are here and those who are listening and are participating. This is a body of some substance, and it is an important one whose work should continue. So we have two other speakers left, and I’m going to ask, first of all, Paul Mitchell, who has now spent two years as the chair of the MAG, the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group. As you think, Paul, about the challenges that lie ahead of us, looking ahead towards the global digital compact and the outcomes of the future, the plans for the future, speculations for the future, can you say a little bit about the IGF’s capacity to evolve? Because your successor is going to have to adapt the IGF work towards an even larger agenda, I think, than it has already experienced. So perhaps you can opine on that for the benefit of your successor and those who work with you to make the IGF such a useful body.

Paul Mitchell:
I think the most important element here is to remember that this is a platform, a platform that can fulfill multiple different types of objectives at the same time and can be used for good, can be used for not so good, and it all depends on the creativity and the collaboration and the work ethic and the goals behind it that people are willing to put their own investments in in order to make the results come alive. And just looking around here, just at the beginning of this IGF, and you see the enthusiasm in some of the presentations today, and you see the enthusiastic number of registrations at over 8,000 people, you just know there is something there that will shine and will really work for the betterment of humanity as long as we keep in focus the platform collaboration and the fact that you can do anything with a will.

Vinton Cerf:
So there you have it, where there’s a will, there’s a way.Amandeep, you are our closing speaker in this session, and as the extraordinary Secretary General’s Tech Envoy, that’s a wonderful title, you work very hard to help us articulate the challenges that this digital online environment poses. Your work on the Global Digital Compact is notable and visible. As you know, I am persuaded that the IGF, which has functioned well and increasingly well over the last 18 years, has the capacity to be helpful in instantiating and evolving that compact, and maybe even suggesting components of it. We had a chance to meet with the two facilitators of the Global Digital Compact this morning, and I’m pleased to say that we have an opportunity as the leadership panel to continue our engagement with those two facilitators. So Amandeep, perhaps your view about IGF and the role that it can play in helping to make the Global Digital Compact a useful and constructive object.

Amandeep Gill:
Thank you, Vint, and it’s a great pleasure to join my fellow members of the leadership panel to talk about the role of the IGF in the context of the Global Digital Compact, but also share just a very brief thought on the internet we want. The internet is an extraordinary global resource, and the vision behind it needs to be refreshed at regular intervals. What you have today from all of us, after multiple engagements across different stakeholders, is an attempt at refreshing that vision.and as my fellow panelists have said, this is a vision about an open, free, secure, inclusive, and human-centered digital future. And this aligns very much with the Secretary General’s vision for the Global Digital Compact, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to come together and adopt a shared global framework for building our digital future together at the Summit of the Future next year in September. The IGF, the Internet Governance Forum, is a unique multi-stakeholder forum in the context of this unique global public resource. It has unique features which no other forum has, the kind of participation that our Japanese hosts can be proud of, the kind of diversity that this forum has, and the depth of expertise that comes together in these rooms every year. So definitely the IGF will play a central role in the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, which has to be multi-stakeholder as well. So if the path to the GDC is a multi-stakeholder path, the path beyond the GDC has to be multi-stakeholder as well. And in that future path, the IGF will play its due role. It is, after all, a creation of the UN, it is a unique forum, and the only place where we can discuss the public policy aspects of the Internet in this manner. The Internet is going to continue to play a role in our digital future, and therefore the IGF will continue to play that role. You will tomorrow at the plenary session hear the Secretary General’s remarks on this occasion, and he will reiterate his vision. he will reiterate, I’m sure, his support for the IGF and how it comes into play in terms of our future work. So thank you very much for the great inputs that came in from the Addis Ababa meetings into the Global Digital Compact process and thank you very much for the inputs that are being generated this week, starting today, day zero, for the next phase of the Global Digital Compact process, which is going to be an intense negotiations phase ahead of the Summit of the Future.

Vinton Cerf:
Thank you so much, Amandeep. I can imagine that some of the members of the panel who are sitting on the stage right now have other things they would like to say, but considering that we are essentially over the originally planned time, and I have a meeting I need to go to, I am going to ask you to thank our panel for their contributions and their work, and to thank you also for all the contributions you have made up until now, the contributions this week, and those that you will make in the future. Thank you all very much for attending. Thank you.