NRIs Coordination Session | IGF 2023

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The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) has begun the review process for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) plus 20. This move is in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in June.

A central part of this roadmap involves gathering inputs through a survey questionnaire, leading to a synthesis report and a detailed report of the discussions, all to be submitted to the General Assembly.

Crucial to this review is the first multi-stakeholder consultation, scheduled for the 10th of October.

This consultation is an integral part of the roadmap adopted by the CSTD, indicating its significance within the initiative. The sentiment surrounding the consultation is largely positive, signifying strong support for and confidence in the process.

On the matter of financial feasibility, the successful progression of the roadmap largely depends on the availability of financial resources, suggesting that investment and funding acquisition will be key in ensuring the roadmap’s effective execution.

A call has also been made for National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs) to play an active role in the WSIS plus 20 review.

Given that there are 160 national and regional initiatives of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the participation of all stakeholders – including governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and international organisations – is strongly encouraged and deemed necessary. The sentiment here is also positive, further endorsing the notion that such broad involvement is vital for success.

In tandem, the same community is involved in discussion of the digital compact and the review.

The Digital Compact discussion is expected to wrap up by September 2024, thus marking significant overlap and potential synergy with the WSIS plus 20 review process. These shared interests and discussions have the potential to unite these parallel initiatives and maximise their collective impact.

In conclusion, the roadmap for the WSIS plus 20 review shows a detailed interplay of multiple stakeholders, financial dependence, and community-driven discussions.

Fostering support and momentum through targeted consultations and inclusivity could pave the way for significant progress and valuable outcomes by the projected 2024 timeline.

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Dialogues focused on the pressing need for a sustainable model in organising regional Internet Governance Forums (IGFs), particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. The need is primarily driven by the challenge related to finding hosts for subsequent occurrences of the event.

Ananda Ferdarigot’s experiences underscored these challenges, highlighting the difficulties inherent in executing a successful regional IGF. Although the Taiwan Network Information Centre (TWNIC) has proposed to host the next year’s IGF as a short-term solution, a more enduring solution is essential for long-term continuity.

In addition to this, conversations emphasised the considerable need for a mechanism that could effectively interlink IGFs.

A clear gap in communication and collaboration networks exists among national and youth initiatives from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the regional IGFs, indicating a distinct area for improvement. The establishment of a robust, interconnected model is viewed as crucial in fostering successful communication and cooperation amongst these initiatives.

Moreover, the dialogue demonstrated robust support for increased involvement from government and regional multilateral organisations.

The sustainability of IGF initiatives could be notably bolstered by enhanced engagement from these quarters, aligning with and promoting the effective realisation of both SDG Goals 16 (‘Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions’) and 17 (‘Partnerships for the Goals’).

Despite acknowledged challenges, overall sentiments leaned towards enhancing industry innovation and infrastructure, further emphasising the significance of SDG Goal 9.

Key insights from the discussions underscore the need for more proactive, collaborative efforts from governments, multilateral organisations, and primary stakeholders within the digital landscape in order to achieve these SDGs. The creation of a sustainable and interconnected digital governance model is evidently a multilayered challenge calling for the alliance and coherence of diverse stakeholders within and beyond the region.

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Andres Bass, a resident of New York from the United States, has made various observations about perceived shortcomings of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), an organisation concerned with discussions on internet infrastructure and policies. Notably, Bass highlighted the limited representation from the United States’ United Barrier-Free and Digital Association (UBES and DATI).

Bass, with his experience as a six-time attendee of IGF, noted issues pertaining to its engagement strategies and outreach.

He proposed that the forum does not maintain a significant presence amongst the young demographics in America, despite their stated interest in the structural and regulatory aspects of internet governance.

Remarkably, Bass discovered that a large number of the youths he communicated with had little to no awareness of the IGF, despite their vested interests.

This suggests an inadequacy in the communication and visibility strategies employed by the forum, indicating that improvements could be made to better target this crucial demographic.

Further criticism lies in the IGF’s event management. According to Bass, attendees perceive the forum’s sessions as a ‘one-time event’.

This leaves them feeling disconnected once the session ends, thus preventing the creation of a sustained learning and engagement environment.

Bass recommends that a more constant and recurring communication strategy could help address this issue, providing attendees with something to look forward to and preventing feelings of hitting dead ends.

Finally, Bass points out that the IGF could better capitalise on its affiliation with the United Nations (UN).

He asserts that effective advertising within this international body could significantly extend its reach. Bass found that the IGF’s global communication link was not widely known – in fact, he had to distribute this information himself.

In summing up, an analysis of Bass’ observations and criticisms suggests that while the IGF occupies an influential platform for internet governance discussions, there is considerable work to be carried out to enhance engagement, outreach, and communication, particularly in the United States.

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The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a worldwide multi-stakeholder network focused on discussing public policy issues tied to the internet, has witnessed remarkable expansion in recent years. Particularly, from the year 2015 to the present day, there has been substantial increase in the network of national, regional, sub-regional and youth IGFs.

Evidence of this growth is shown in the rise from approximately 50 or 60 IGFs in 2015 to over 160 officially recognised IGFs to date, suggesting a growing awareness and participation in global internet governance discussions.

Besides this numerical growth, strategic measures have been implemented to promote inclusivity within the Nationally Recognised Internet Governance Forums (NRIs).

Specifically, in 2015, a focal point was assigned to NRIs to cultivate growth both in quality and quantity. Notably, certain NRIs have adopted innovative operational strategies including arranging IGF meetings in diverse locations within their countries instead of consistently hosting them in capitals.

Examples of this practice can be found in countries like Brazil, Italy, and Poland, which fosters inclusivity by making IGF processes accessible to a wider audience.

Looking ahead, the future implications of IGFs are also gaining attention. Specifically, the imminent VISTAs plus 20 review planned for 2025 is expected to encompass a reassessment of the IGF’s mandate, wherein NRIs are predicted to play a significant role due to their burgeoning growth and influence.

Despite these promising developments, there are persistent challenges faced within IGF governance.

Sustainability has proved to be a key issue, evident from the difficulties faced in finding hosts for subsequent IGFs, indicating an absence of a clear and sustainable model for IGF hosting.

Additionally, while the number of IGF initiatives is on the rise, there is a lack of interconnection amongst the various national, regional and youth IGF initiatives, indicating room for improvement.

At present, there are no robust mechanisms in place to facilitate efficient interconnection among the 160 existing IGFs, presenting potential obstacles to collaboration and synergy among these entities.

Issues of representation and accessibility too remain major concerns within the IGF ecosystem.

Participants from disadvantaged areas, like Africa, often confront difficulties in accessing IGF events due to geographic barriers and visa constraints. To address these issues, involvement of governments and private companies is crucial to provide requisite resources and funding support.

Finally, there is considerable scope for improvement in the methods of sharing inputs and messages within the NRIs.

The effectiveness of digital communication methods deployed for maximum engagement and information dissemination should be assessed and enhanced.

In light of these challenges and opportunities, Anya, an IGF representative, acknowledges the impactful work and dedication of the IGF community.

She proposes actively engaging governments and private companies in the IGF dialogue to enhance accessibility and inclusion. Such participation could significantly improve accommodation alternatives and financial support, laying the groundwork for more effective and far-reaching IGF initiatives.

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Throughout a diverse and comprehensive discussion on the role and challenges of Internet Governance Forums (IGFs), a strong emphasis emerged on the importance of governmental involvement, private sector engagement, cross-border collaboration, and regional integration. The participants noted and largely praised the facilitative role played by the United Nations in aiding the progress of these multi-stakeholder processes.

However, a significant concern was raised regarding the issue of access and resource allocation.

It was observed that while large, affluent nations such as Japan, Brazil and Mexico are frequently able to host significant global events, smaller countries often remain on the sidelines due to a paucity of resources. This discrepancy hampers equal representation of nations in these crucial forums and presents a challenge for achieving global sustainable development goals.

Several success stories and potential solutions were highlighted throughout the dialogue.

A noteworthy example was the African regional Internet Governance Forum in Gambia, a multi-stakeholder initiative involving government, parliament and international organisations like UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). This participatory governance model was hailed as a promising method for effecting tangible change at the regional level.

The valuable contribution of Tanzania’s Digital Inclusion Project was also recognised, where the initiative has focused on enhancing digital literacy amongst women and young people.

Key stakeholders commended such endeavours, underlining how IGFs can significantly contribute to local community projects, thereby addressing larger development goals.

A significant thread of conversation revolved around the necessity for deeper involvement of government officials in the discourses of IGFs.

It was affirmed that ministries and regulators need to immerse themselves, not merely as participants but as influential actors in these forums. The active presence and participation of these key players would facilitate broader recognition of the policy formulation process and enhance the implementation of crucial recommendations.

The group made a clear gesture for sustainable funding and resource allocation within Internet Governance forums.

The Nigerian case, where the government had pledged significant financial support for organising IGFs, was pointed to as a positive precedent.

In the face of regional integration and the expansion of a cross-border dialogue in internet governance, the potential for incorporating sub-regional economic communities like ECOWAS was identified as a beneficial strategy.

This approach, backed by an increased representation of African parliamentarians in IGF discussions, was seen as a way forward.

However, some serious challenges were highlighted. One particularly pervasive issue was the lack of access and equality due to logistical restrictions.

A call was made to rethink the current IGF hosting selection process and to adopt a more inclusive and globally representative approach. Additionally, potential threats to internet unity emerged, notably from policies like Sri Lanka’s Safer Internet Act which risks fragmenting the internet.

The conversation concluded on an optimistic note, showcasing the impactful efforts made by Pan-African Youth Ambassadors for Internet Governance.

With the successful training of over a thousand individuals in internet governance in various African countries, and across multiple languages, the determination and potential of the youth in this crucial sector were patently demonstrated. This not only highlighted significant ground-level efforts, but also reflected on the promising future of internet governance if all the stakeholders unite and strive for inclusive and cooperative approaches.

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The central discourse pertains to the marked under-representation of people with disabilities in Internet governance, thus bringing to the fore an issue of inequality. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 15% of any populace are disabled, yet a contrasting statistic reveals that fewer than 1% of attendees at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a crucial platform for the moulding of global internet policies, are shown to have a disability.

This disparity underscores the pressing need for more inclusive representation of individuals with disabilities within the realm of Internet governance.

The advocacy argues that the IGF should increase their support to enable greater participation of people with disabilities, thus reinforcing the objectives of SDG 10 – reduced inequalities.

The Asia-Pacific School of Internet Governance’s training programmes demonstrate a noteworthy initiative towards an inclusive movement.

This institution is praiseworthy for its proactive efforts in empowering young people with disabilities by providing training in internet governance.

Moreover, the significant backing provided by industry giant, Vint Cerf from Google, underscores a commitment to disability inclusion within the sector.

His support for the Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability serves as an encouraging precedent for others in the Internet governance sphere.

However, the current state of disability representation highlights a critical discussion about persisting inequalities in this area.

Nonetheless, the voices advocating for change, along with strides towards inclusion in the Asia-Pacific and the support of influential figures like Vint Cerf, suggest progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals pertinent to reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9).

The review hence offers a balanced perspective.

While the present scenario presents challenges, it also focuses on the positive measures being taken to improve the participation and representation of individuals with disabilities in Internet governance, thereby offering an optimistic outlook for the future.

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The analysis significantly underscores the pivotal role of the NRI (National and Regional Internet Governance) network in global decision-making processes. This expansive network, boasting over 160 functions, serves as a primary platform where internet governance is comprehensively thrashed out. Appreciating the insights and issues relayed within these forums could enable decision-making bodies to formulate robust strategies and policies in line with best practices.

Furthermore, the analysis accentuates the need for open channels to decision-making bodies.

By participating in these meetings, decision-makers will acquire first-hand knowledge of how Internet governance is approached across various regions and the distinct challenges encountered therein, cultivating a more inclusive perspective. This interaction can prove useful in ensuring a more informed stance towards legislative and regulatory decision-making.

Moreover, the examination sheds light on the importance of co-located events, such as the Asia-Pacific Youth IGF, an instance that highlights the advantages reaped from such a configuration.

Co-located events facilitate the revelation of a plethora of issues to a broader audience, engendering understanding of myriad perspectives and cross-fertilisation of ideas. This blend of viewpoints can trigger innovative solutions to the broad range of challenges intertwined with internet governance.

The analysis underlines the critical importance of decision-makers’ understanding of emerging issues.

The Parliamentary track at ABIGF has demonstrated that those engaged in drafting and deploying laws and regulations ought to be cognisant of community discussions surrounding burgeoning issues. Such awareness empowers them to make legislative choices that are more in tune with the current challenges.

Lastly, in view of the scale and diversity of the NRI network, the facilitation of multi-way dialogue becomes a necessity.

Gleaning wisdom from events like the Asia-Pacific Youth IGF, the analysis points towards a higher demand for expansive communication routes to bolster understanding and collaborative problem-solving, reinforcing the governance of the Internet.

To conclude, this review reinforces the essential role NRI networks can play in global decision-making pertaining to internet governance.

It highlights the merits of increased engagement of decision-making bodies with these networks, the benefits of co-located events, the pressing need for a deeper understanding of emerging issues by legislators, and a call for enhanced dialogues within the network.

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The Colombian Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has led various initiatives this year, notably focusing on strengthening the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance. There is a major emphasis on motivating and engaging young individuals in these initiatives. These activities align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 – ‘Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure’, and 10 – ‘Reduced Inequalities’.

The strategy is met with a positive response as they are making strong strides in sharing the results of local discussions, assuring maximum engagement and impact.

Additionally, Colombian IGF is promoting the vital need to increase representation in the internet governance process.

They believe that creating mechanisms for multi-stakeholder messages is of utmost importance for comprehensive and inclusive governance. They are diligently working to bring new actors to internet governance, highlighting their commitment to ensuring that underrepresented sectors are adequately involved.

The Global Digital Compact has notably contributed to these objectives by encouraging discussions on internet governance.

The involvement of new organisations in these discussions is a positive development, substantially enhancing collaboration across all sectors, which is fundamental for global digital development. This aligns with SDGs 9 – ‘Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure’, and 17 – ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, radiating a supportive sentiment towards the Compact.

The Colombian IGF has publicly expressed their support for the multi-stakeholder model of internet governance.

Drawing from their experiences from the Global Digital Compact, they advocaterecognising, protecting, and promoting this model as an essential element of internet governance. Despite the challenges, the Colombian IGF is steadfast in their commitment to keeping the multi-stakeholder model at the core of future internet governance discussions.

To summarise, the Colombian IGF is championing the multi-stakeholder model in internet governance, bolstered by the involvement of new, diverse actors and a firm commitment to inclusivity.

This is supported by their endorsement of the Global Digital Compact and the successful examples it offers of implementing this multi-stakeholder model. Through their actions and stances, the Colombian IGF is working tirelessly towards achieving sustainable digital development and broader inclusivity in internet governance.

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Telecom companies, particularly the prominent actors in the private sector like MTN Group, indeed play a crucial role in the broadened dialogue on internet governance, and ought therefore to be included in these discussions. The potential value of their involvement has begun to be acknowledged, with fruitful dialogues focusing on digital human rights and skills advancement for Uganda’s youth and women.

This seems to suggest a positive shift towards increased cooperative engagement from corporations in matters related to internet governance.

On the other hand, an escalated need for government involvement is emphasised, especially in issues pertaining to cyber security.

This is seen as a vital sphere where governance participation cannot be compromised, signifying the intricate relationship between technological progress and national security. Evidently, initiatives like the East Africa School on Internet Governance have already taken steps towards this direction, incorporating a variety of regional entities within the East African Community, as part of their strategy in introducing internet governance and targeted cyber security.

Another notable revelation, however, unveils the intense demand for specificity in the operational approach of Internet Governance Forums.

The generic, all-encompassing agenda of these forums should be overtaken by a targeted focus on specific, actionable areas of interest. Presumably, this would foster more engaging dialogues and effective collaborations amongst stakeholders. Notably, the concept of regional cyber security policy harmonisation has been pinpointed during the sessions of the East Africa School on Internet Governance, which suggests that this more focused approach may already be producing results.

In summary, these narratives highlight the pressing necessity to weave more stakeholders, from both the private sector and government, into the fabric of internet governance.

A more engaging, focused, and actionable strategy within Internet Governance Forums can refine the process further, laying the groundwork for tangible outcomes and solutions. The emerging partnerships between telecom companies and government bodies, in tandem with targeted regional cyber security endeavours, evoke optimism for these ideals materialising in the near future in the East African Community, Uganda in particular.

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The critical analysis conducted reveals a favourable sentiment towards the proposition for establishing a Research Cell within the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) process, administered by the United Nations. A paramount aim of this planned initiative is the development of sustainable models to support the growing maturity of the IGF process.

This aligns significantly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

The requirement for this proposal is increasingly evident with the growth of numerous IGF communities throughout Bangladesh, exemplifying the global shift towards incorporating innovative and sustainable infrastructure.

The sustained maturity of the IGF process has solidified the need for sustainable models to support its continued evolution.

The proposed Research Cell is envisaged to act not only as a catalyst for the evolution of IGF but also to nurture connections and collaborative partnerships within the academic community.

A unique aspect of the proposed cell will be its alliance with universities and academic institutions, strategically leveraging their intellectual capabilities to design and elucidate a sustainable model for the IGF process.

In summary, the creation of a Research Cell within the IGF process signifies a proactive measure towards ensuring its sustainability, further fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships, in line with the targeted SDGs.

Moreover, its association with academic institutions further broadens the prospect for profound research and balanced growth in the field. As such, the Research Cell provides the perfect avenue for academics and experts to shape, innovate, and implement sustainable models for the IGF process through research and collaborations.

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Established eight years ago, India’s School on Internet Governance has played a crucial role in the institution of the country’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Initially, India lacked a dedicated IGF, but this changed following the school’s advocacy.

Due to their endeavours, the government recognised the significance of internet governance and established its own IGF three years ago.

Over the past two years, India’s IGF has made substantial progress. Characterised by successful multi-stakeholder collaboration, this forum has facilitated the participation of both high-level ministers and grassroots workers.

This achievement has narrowed the dialogue gap between policymakers and the public, demonstrating the potential of India’s IGF to be a robust multi-stakeholder model for future policy-making.

Nonetheless, not all countries or regions have been successful in implementing such crucial multi-stakeholder structures, essential for guiding Internet Governance discussions.

These collaborative arrangements encourage comprehensive dialogue, promoting superior policy decisions.

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goals 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, India’s development in Internet Governance emphasises the importance of collaborative partnerships, underpinned by an innovation-driven approach and robust institutional infrastructure.

The laudable efforts of India’s School on Internet Governance, and the subsequent progression and achievements of India’s IGF, may potentially inspire and guide other nations lacking similar structures in their approach to internet governance. This could shape the global narrative, moving towards a more participatory, collaborative, and effective model of internet governance.

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The Brazilian Internet Governance Forum (IGF), acknowledged for its inventive approach towards multi-stakeholder discussions, has made remarkable strides in involving decision-makers in its proceedings, signifying its importance on a national level. This has been accomplished through strategic alterations in the event format and by cultivating wide-ranging debates on subjects of national interest such as platform regulation.

These endeavours have notably increased the positive sentiment surrounding the Brazilian IGF’s effectiveness, in perfect alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which visualises peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Additionally, the pivotal role of National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs) in facilitating multi-stakeholder discussions and the engagement of decision-makers has been accentuated.

NRIs are urged to amplify their network connectivity with local, regional, and global debates, metamorphosing them into valuable resources for effective decision-making. Tanara Lauschner, the coordinator for the Brazilian IGF initiative, offers firsthand testament to this strategy, demonstrating its potential for success.

Moreover, NRIs are being encouraged to fortify their cooperation and solidarity, with a specific emphasis on creating more partnerships, exchanging experiences, and actively contributing to local, regional, and global debates.

These recommendations stem from Lauschner’s perspective, setting a tangible precedent for the positive impact that such initiatives can generate.

Such developments align seamlessly with the broader vision of SDG 17, which advocates for partnerships to achieve the intended goals.

By laying stress on cooperation and partnerships, NRIs can assume a crucial role in promoting stronger bonds on a multinational level. The positive sentiment surrounding these steps not only underscores their significance but also provides a promising outlook on their central roles in fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions.

In conclusion, the progression of the Brazilian IGF and the future direction of NRIs capture two key pathways for enhanced participation of decision-makers: comprehensive network adaptation to connect with broader debates and increased cooperation amongst NRIs.

The firsthand insights from Tanara Lauschner illustrate the vitality of their implementation, emphasising the broader implications these strategies could potentially contribute to the achievement of SDGs 16 and 17.

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Discussions and debates on internet governance have seen a positive trend, with an increasing number of governments taking an active role, courtesy of platforms such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). This has led to a shift towards more respectful and cordial dialogue among various stakeholders.

However, an emphasised concern is the potential monopolisation of these critical discussions by single entities. Hence, it’s underscored that decisions should ideally involve multiple stakeholders to ensure a robust and multi-spectral participation, thereby fostering industry innovation and infrastructure.

A challenge identified in this realm is the imbalanced levels of stakeholder participation in these crucial dialogues.

Not all parties are represented equally, leading to a potential imbalance in policy-making. Therefore, commentators such as Vakas suggest establishing clear criteria or thresholds for equitable representation from all stakeholders to address this disparity and uphold peace, justice and strong institutions.

Regarding leadership selection within internet governance, a strategic, organised, and regionally representative approach has been advocated.

This involves identifying and nurturing the next generation of internet leaders at a national level before introducing them to the global sphere, thereby promoting gender equality and fostering partnerships for the SDGs.

Despite this increase in government involvement, particularly in leading forums like IGF and Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APR IGF), there remains significant room for improvement.

While participation has risen, the quality of said participation demands critical examination. It was noted that increased quantity does not compensate for sub-par quality, hence there is a need for significant enhancements to foster balanced and well-rounded decision-making. In conclusion, achieving fair and effective internet governance requires strategic leadership selection and improved quality and quantity in government and stakeholder participation.

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The detailed discussion presents a broad view of the roles and influences NRI leadership has, particularly concerning their supporting role towards IGF initiatives. Expressing a positive sentiment, the speaker commends the NRI leadership for their dedicated involvement in event organisation, networking and information dissemination, a contribution that aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

Yet, the dialogue extends past singular praises, identifying areas where current practices could be enhanced.

Specifically, the speaker underlines the need for the NRI leadership to provide greater support for national IGF events. This could be feasibly achieved by sending out substantial informational letters to coordinators, with the intent to bolster engagement levels.

A pivotal topic surfaced was the necessity for harmonisation between various IGF events, notably those at regional, local, and youth levels.

The speaker proposes the introduction of a comprehensive timetable for differing NRI initiatives, which would be updated in real-time to ensure all coordinators maintain coordinated efforts, fostering a more unified operation.

An important suggestion from the speaker is the creation of a best practices guide dedicated to NRI.

This proposition was met with optimism, as such a resource would lay out beneficial practices efficiently, while also identifying areas of practices that could be improved or where noticeable gaps exist.

Sustainability additionally emerged as a key theme, with emphasis placed on its importance within the framework of NRI initiatives.

The speaker suggests tracking all recommendations raised across differing national, regional, and youth events to confirm tangible impacts and changes being effected. This approach encourages accountability and spurs continued improvements.

Finally, the speaker, taking a positive stance, aligns with the sentiments expressed by Mary concerning increased government involvement in the organisation of national NRI initiatives.

The speaker concurs with the need for such intervention, implicitly aligning with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This infers an acknowledgment of the instrumental role of institutional support in ensuring the success of such initiatives.

Covering the discussion in detail, the comprehensive summary provides key insights into the multifaceted role of NRI leadership, their valued contribution to IGF initiatives, possible areas for improvement, and the need for harmonisation, resource creation, sustainability procedures, and active government support.

This yields a broader perspective on the complex interplay of roles and initiatives within the context of IGF events.