Open Forum #13 Bridging the Digital Divide Focus on the Global South

Summary

This open forum, hosted by the World Internet Conference (WRC), focused on bridging the digital divide with particular emphasis on the Global South and the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. The discussion brought together high-level representatives from international organizations, regulatory bodies, and youth leaders to address solutions for digital inclusion.

UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua highlighted that 2.6 billion people remain offline, primarily in least developed countries, emphasizing that the digital divide has evolved beyond infrastructure to include affordable devices, digital skills, and safe navigation capabilities. He stressed the importance of local community empowerment and bottom-up approaches, noting progress since 2015 when 4 billion people were offline. Former WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry warned of a crisis point due to declining development funding (38% reduction expected) coinciding with rapid AI advancement, which risks exacerbating the digital divide when funding is most needed.

ICANN co-chair Tripti Sinha emphasized that the divide encompasses participation and inclusiveness beyond mere access, advocating for AI-powered solutions to optimize network infrastructure while maintaining multi-stakeholder governance approaches. She warned against fragmentation risks from state-led governance models that could separate Global South countries from the global internet. Chinese officials outlined China’s commitment to supporting Global South digital development through capacity building, international cooperation, and AI governance initiatives, including training workshops and technical assistance programs.

Dr. Nii Quaynor from Ghana provided an African perspective, noting infrastructure improvements but highlighting persistent challenges including limited technical capacity, fragile infrastructure, and economic sustainability issues. Malaysian representative Chern Choong Thum shared Southeast Asian solutions, including digital literacy centers and AI training programs, emphasizing human-centric approaches to digital governance. The forum concluded with consensus on the need for continued international cooperation, inclusive dialogue, and sustainable solutions to ensure equitable digital development for all communities.

Keypoints

## Major Discussion Points:

– **Scale and urgency of the digital divide**: 2.6 billion people remain offline globally, with the majority in least developed countries, creating gaps in opportunity rather than just access. The divide exists both between and within countries, affecting rural populations, women, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.

– **Crisis in development funding amid AI advancement**: A critical timing challenge where development funding is decreasing by an estimated 38% while AI technology is rapidly advancing, potentially exacerbating the digital divide. The high costs and technical requirements of AI infrastructure risk creating an even wider gap between developed and developing nations.

– **Infrastructure and technical foundations**: Beyond physical connectivity, the discussion emphasized the need for reliable technical infrastructure including domain name systems, IP addresses, multilingual support, and local capacity building. Universal acceptance and internationalized domain names are crucial for cultural and linguistic participation.

– **Multi-stakeholder governance and Global South participation**: The importance of maintaining collaborative, bottom-up approaches to internet governance while ensuring meaningful participation from Global South countries in digital policy-making processes. There’s concern about potential fragmentation if countries pursue separate technical standards.

– **Practical solutions and international cooperation**: Concrete initiatives including China’s AI capacity building programs, Malaysia’s NADI Centers for digital literacy, Africa’s progress in internet infrastructure, and the need for South-South cooperation to share knowledge and resources effectively.

## Overall Purpose:

The discussion aimed to identify actionable solutions for bridging the digital divide affecting the Global South, with particular focus on how emerging technologies like AI can be leveraged to expand access and opportunities rather than widen existing gaps. The forum sought to build international consensus and cooperation frameworks for inclusive digital development.

## Overall Tone:

The discussion maintained a consistently collaborative and solution-oriented tone throughout. Speakers acknowledged serious challenges with urgency while remaining optimistic about potential solutions through international cooperation. The tone was formal yet inclusive, emphasizing shared responsibility and mutual benefit. There was a notable emphasis on practical examples and concrete commitments rather than abstract policy discussions, reflecting a pragmatic approach to addressing complex global challenges.

Speakers

– **Zhang Hui** – Deputy Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference (WRC)

– **Li Junhua** – Under-Secretary-General for UNDESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs)

– **Francis Gurry** – Vice-Chair of WRC, former WIPO Director-General, global authority on intellectual property and digital innovation

– **Tripti Sinha** – Co-chair of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), extensive experience in Internet infrastructure and multi-stakeholder governance

– **Ren Xianliang** – Secretary-General of the WRC

– **Qi Xiaoxia** – Director General of International Cooperation Bureau of Cyberspace Administration of China, extensive experience in international cyberspace exchange and cooperation

– **Nii Quaynor** – Chairman of Ghana Dot Com, known as the “Father of Internet in Africa,” Internet Hall of Fame awardee, WRC distinguished contribution awardee

– **Chern Choong Thum** – Special Functional Officer at the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia, 2024 global youth leader, supports Malaysia’s digital strategy and regional innovation programs, doctor working in public health

Additional speakers:

None identified outside the provided speakers names list.

# World Internet Conference Open Forum: Bridging the Digital Divide

## Executive Summary

The World Internet Conference hosted an open forum on bridging the digital divide, featuring UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, former WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry, ICANN co-chair Tripti Sinha, and senior officials from China, Ghana, and Malaysia. The discussion addressed the challenge of connecting 2.6 billion people who remain offline globally, with particular focus on the Global South, declining development funding, and the dual role of artificial intelligence in either bridging or widening digital gaps.

## Current State of the Digital Divide

### Global Scale and Distribution

UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua established that 2.6 billion people remain offline worldwide, with the majority in least developed countries. He noted progress since 2015 when 4 billion people were offline, but emphasized that the remaining gap represents the most challenging populations to reach. The digital divide affects rural populations, women, indigenous peoples, refugees, and persons with disabilities disproportionately.

Dr. Chern Choong Thum from Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications provided a public health perspective, stating that “digital exclusion deepens health inequalities and cuts off access to life-saving services and vital health education.” He noted that while 5.5 billion people are online, a third of the world remains disconnected, predominantly in Global South rural areas.

### African Infrastructure Challenges

Dr. Nii Quaynor, known as the “Father of Internet in Africa,” highlighted persistent challenges including fragile infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and economic sustainability issues. He provided historical context, noting that “every new technology comes with its distinct divides, and some may widen other divides.”

Quaynor shared specific statistics: “Africa is at 4.4 domain names per thousand, where global is 45 per thousand,” illustrating the continent’s digital infrastructure gaps. He raised critical questions about sustainability: “Where is the revenue to maintain, improve and develop infrastructure services constantly in the global south?”

## Funding Crisis and AI Acceleration

### Development Funding Challenges

Former WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry identified what he termed “a real crisis point,” outlining two converging challenges. First, a dramatic crisis in development funding with an estimated 38% reduction expected in the coming year. Second, the unprecedented speed of artificial intelligence deployment.

Gurry emphasized that “never has funding and development assistance been more needed than at the present time when artificial intelligence is coming online at such a speed that it is baffling to all of us.”

### AI’s Dual Impact

Tripti Sinha acknowledged AI’s potential to optimize network infrastructure and enable efficient resource allocation for unconnected markets. However, she warned that “knowledge begets knowledge, wealth begets wealth, and those who possess these will only have the opportunity to obtain more. Similarly, innovation begets innovation.”

Nii Quaynor warned that AI technology threatens the digital divide most significantly due to high infrastructure costs, substantial power requirements, and technical skills needed for participation.

## Infrastructure and Technical Requirements

### Beyond Physical Connectivity

Tripti Sinha emphasized that bridging the digital divide requires comprehensive technical foundations, including reliable domain name systems, IP address allocation, root servers, and multilingual support systems. She highlighted the importance of universal acceptance and internationalized domain names, noting that millions cannot engage with the Internet in their own language.

### National Success Models

Chern Choong Thum shared Malaysia’s achievements through the Jandela Plan, which equipped 9 million premises with fiber optic access and significantly boosted mobile speeds. Malaysia also established NADI Centers providing internet access and ICT training, including AI skills programs.

Ren Xianliang, Secretary-General of the WRC, emphasized sustainable infrastructure operation alongside digital education, which he termed “the biggest equalizer.”

## Governance Approaches and International Cooperation

### Multi-Stakeholder vs. State-Led Models

Tripti Sinha strongly advocated for ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model, bringing together governments, private sector, civil society, and the technical community. She warned about fragmentation risks from state-led approaches that could threaten the single, interoperable Internet.

Qi Xiaoxia, Director General of China’s Cyberspace Administration International Cooperation Bureau, presented a different perspective emphasizing respect for sovereignty in cyberspace. She advocated for countries’ rights to independently choose their Internet development paths while opposing “cyber hegemony.”

### Implementation Challenges

Nii Quaynor provided a balanced assessment of multi-stakeholder governance, acknowledging both its potential and limitations. He noted implementation challenges including difficulties finding qualified participants, potential “decision by fatigue,” and the need for skilled moderation to achieve consensus.

## Capacity Building Initiatives

### Bottom-Up Approaches

Li Junhua emphasized that “bottom-up, grassroots processes are foundational to global efforts,” giving communities voice in their digital development. This approach recognizes that sustainable solutions must emerge from local needs and capabilities.

### International Programs

Qi Xiaoxia outlined China’s commitment to supporting Global South digital development through comprehensive capacity building initiatives, including training workshops, knowledge sharing platforms, and technical assistance programs. China announced implementation of UN resolution on AI capacity building with ten major actions and five additional training workshops for Global South countries.

### Regional Leadership

Chern Choong Thum described Malaysia’s approach to regional leadership through its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, championing inclusivity and sustainability themes in digital development with human-centric policies ensuring no one is left behind.

## Concrete Commitments

### Organizational Actions

– **World Internet Conference**: Committed to deepening cooperation with the Global South through continued dialogue platforms

– **China**: Announced specific implementation of UN resolution on AI capacity building with ten major actions and five training workshops for Global South countries

– **Malaysia**: Committed to leveraging its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship to champion inclusivity and sustainability in digital development

– **ICANN**: Committed to continued support for technical resilience, multilingual access, and global connectivity in underserved regions

### Global Review Opportunities

Li Junhua identified the WSIS Plus 20 review as a crucial opportunity to renew global commitment to digital inclusion and meaningful access for all.

## Key Challenges and Disagreements

### Unresolved Issues

The forum identified several critical unresolved challenges:

– Addressing the massive development funding crisis while meeting increased needs for AI-era digital infrastructure

– Reconciling unified global Internet standards with national sovereignty concerns

– Preventing AI advancement from creating new forms of digital exclusion

– Creating financially viable models for ongoing infrastructure maintenance in resource-constrained environments

### Governance Philosophy Differences

The most significant disagreement centered on governance approaches, with tension between maintaining technical coordination and respecting political sovereignty. This reflects broader challenges in global Internet governance between unified standards and national control.

## Conclusion

The forum revealed both the complexity and urgency of bridging the digital divide amid rapid technological change and constrained resources. The convergence of declining development funding with accelerating AI deployment creates challenges requiring innovative solutions and enhanced international cooperation.

Success will depend on reconciling technical coordination needs with political sovereignty concerns while ensuring emerging technologies bridge rather than widen existing divides. The commitments made by participating organizations provide concrete starting points, but the scale of the challenge requires sustained effort and continued dialogue.

The upcoming WSIS Plus 20 review offers an opportunity to translate forum insights into coordinated global action addressing the digital divide before it becomes insurmountable.

Zhang Hui: Your Excellency Under-Secretary-General Li Jinhua, Your Excellency Vice-Chair Francis Gurry, Your Excellency Board Chair Timothy Sinha, Your Excellency Secretary-General Ren Xianliang, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. It is my great honor to welcome you to attend this open forum. We feel highly appreciated that UNDESA and IGF provides us with a global platform for open dialogue on key digital issues. My name is Zhang Hui, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Internet Conference, also known as the WRC. The WRC is an international organization committed to establishing a global Internet platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, promoting the international community to follow the trend of digitalization, networking, and intelligence, to address security challenges for common development in the information age, and building a strong community with a shared future in cyberspace. Today’s session seems to be bridging the digital divide, focusing on the global south, highlights a key priority for inclusive global development, while challenges remain. The focus today is on solutions. How emerging technologies, particularly AI, can help expand access, strengthen digital capacity, and unlock new opportunities for the global south. We are honored to be joined by an exceptional group of speakers who are helping shape the future of digital governance. Among them are high-level representatives from international organizations, national regulatory bodies, and young representatives from emerging digital communities. First, I feel deeply honored to invite His Excellency, Mr. Li Junhua, on the Secretary General for UNDESA. UNDESA leads global initiatives on sustainable development and has played a key role in shaping international cooperation on emerging technologies. Welcome.

Li Junhua: Thank you. Thank you very much. Good morning, everyone, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. It is my great pleasure to join you today for this important gathering on bridging the digital divide with its vital focus on global south. I extend my sincere thanks to the World Internet Conference for convening this open forum. The theme of the digital divide could not be more urgent as we increasingly relied on the digital technologies to access education, healthcare, jobs, services, and civic participation. The divide between those who are connected and those who are not has become one of the defining challenges of our time. As technology evolves, so does the nature of the digital divide. It is no longer just the questions of cables, satellites, or cell towers. It is about affordable devices, the skill to use them, and the confidence and support needed to navigate the online world safely. It is a divide of opportunities. Today, 2.6 billion people remain offline. The majority live in the world’s least developed or lower-middle-income countries. This is where the digital gap remains widest and where our efforts must now be consolidated. We must also recognize the inequality within countries, even in those considered well-connected. Remote and rural populations, refugees, indigenous peoples, women and girls, and persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to full digital inclusion. These are not just gaps in access, but gaps in opportunity, which calls for a renewed focus on digital capacity development and building partnerships that are inclusive, innovative, and sustained. Forums like the World Internet Conference and the Internet Governance Forum are vital spaces for collaboration. They provide essential spaces for global dialogue, coordination, and collaboration on digital policy. Their true impact is realized when they are informed by what happens on the ground, because the roots of the digital divide are deeply local. The solution lies in empowering local communities. The IGF has evolved into a global ecosystem with over 176 national, regional, sub-regional, and youth IGFs now active worldwide. These local and regional processes are not just complementary to our global efforts. They are foundational. They give the communities a voice, surface the local innovations, and help shape the policies that are relevant, inclusive, and grounded in lived realities. To close the digital divide, we must strive for inclusive cooperation between global efforts and grassroots processes. The priorities that emerged from the bottom-up should guide the investment in infrastructure, human capacity, and meaningful partnerships, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age. Dear friends, dear colleagues, we now have a golden opportunity. The upcoming 20-year review of the World Summit on Information Society, or WSIS Plus 20, allows us to renew our commitment to digital inclusion and meaningful access for all. We have made progress. In 2015, during the WSIS Plus 10 review, an estimated 4 billion people were offline. Today, allow me to reiterate, that number has dropped to 2.6 billion. This is a major improvement, but of course, still far too many remain unconnected. That’s why there’s every reason for all of us to intensify our efforts. Let’s leverage the global platform to amplify the solutions, to collaborate, share, and work together to build a truly inclusive and equitable digital future for all. Thank you.

Zhang Hui: Thank you, Mr. Li. Thank you, Mr. Li. Next, it is our great pleasure to welcome Dr. Francis Gurry, Vice-Chair of WRC, former WIPO Director-General. He is a global authority on intellectual property and digital innovation.

Francis Gurry: Thank you very much indeed. Under-Secretary Li Junhua, Secretary-General Ren Xiaolong, distinguished panelists and guests, it’s so nice to be part of this forum and to see so many of you here participating on this exceptionally important topic in the context of this extremely important ongoing meeting of the Internet Governance Forum. Let me start with the very obvious point that digital technology has penetrated all aspects of our life. We’re all very much aware of this, but I don’t think we can repeat it sufficiently enough. We know that it is the basis of economic production now, if not the basis, at least a major factor of economic production. It is responsible for cost efficiencies, quality outcomes, innovation, and competitive advantage in the field of the economy. And outside the economy, we’re very much aware that digital technology enables or improves social communication, the delivery of social services such as health and medicine, cultural exchanges, and educational opportunities. So any impairment in the capacity… to use any of these advantages that are conferred by digital technology is obviously a major disadvantage. Digital technology is so important as the foundation of economic, cultural, social life now that a lack of access or a disadvantaged access of course creates a major, major problem. And that disadvantage, that divide, we know exists within countries. There is an urban-rural divide, there is a gender divide, there is an age divide, and there is an income divide. And we know it exists between countries, which is the one that we are concentrating on and addressing today. Now much good work has been done and Under-Secretary General Lee has referred to some of this. There’s the great work that’s been done by the International Telecommunication Union, for example, the great work of the World Internet Conference in increasing number of fields, and the many, many other organisations that are involved in trying to address this major question of the digital divide. Despite the progress, and I think Under-Secretary General Lee has referred to the fact that we now have two-thirds of the world connected, but of course one-third still not connected. Despite the progress, I think we are at a real crisis point in relation to the digital divide, and that crisis I think comes from two challenges. The first challenge is the crisis in development funding that we are witnessing right at the moment. So it’s estimated that next year there will be about 38% less development funding available around the world as a consequence of the change of attitude of the United States of America in relation to foreign aid, but also the diversion of funding by many European countries away from development and towards military expending and so on around the world. So there is a massive crisis we know in relation to development funding. And on some estimates, it’s scarcely sufficient to meet debt obligations. So this is the first problem we have. And the second problem is that never has funding and development assistance been more needed than at the present time when artificial intelligence is coming online at such a speed that it is baffling to all of us. So artificial intelligence now is another general purpose technology that will exacerbate or risk exacerbating the digital divide. We know that there are many positive aspects of artificial intelligence, and some of those include, for example, open access, but the speed at which it is unfolding and the amounts of money that is being invested in the development of artificial intelligence by some of the leading economies are such that we are at a great risk of the exacerbation of the digital divide, especially given that development funding is suffering a crisis at the same time. So this, I think, is the essence of the problem that we confront right at the moment in relation to the digital divide. And I think it requires a major international strategic plan with all the major actors involved in order to ensure that we do not end up in a worse situation with the advent, the arrival of these new artificial intelligence technologies, not so new perhaps now, we don’t end up in a worse position. If you look, just one final example, at data centres around the world essential to artificial intelligence infrastructure, you find that they are all, of course, or mainly in the north, with the exception of China. So we have a real potential crisis here, and I think a major international effort and strategic plan is required. Thank you very much.

Zhang Hui: Thank you, Dr. Gurry. Next, it is our great honour to welcome Ms. Tripti Sinha, co-chair of Internet Corporation for Signed Names and Numbers, or ICANN. She has extensive experience in Internet infrastructure and multi-stakeholder governance.

Tripti Sinha: Thank you very much, and thanks to the World Internet Conference for convening this very important discussion, and to my co-panellists for sharing this opportunity to speak to you today. So the digital divide, as you know, is not a new issue, and it continues to evolve in very complex ways, as my colleagues just stated. Today, the discussion is broader than access. It is also about participation and inclusiveness. The fact that 5 billion people are now online is significant. This growth was not accidental. It reflects years of coordination, technical cooperation, and a shared commitment to an Internet that remains global, resilient, and accessible to all. But as Dr. Currie just said, we are in a financial crisis in the world, and priorities are shifting and we are in a very, very difficult time. And we must treat this prevailing global digital divide with a sense of urgency. As the old adage goes, knowledge begets knowledge, wealth begets wealth, and those who possess these will only have the opportunity to obtain more. Similarly, innovation begets innovation. And for those who are not part of this opportunity ecosystem, you know, they will suffer and they will fall behind. And during this time of yet another innovation and the change agent at play, which is artificial intelligence, this divide will continue to grow. So a global community of have and have-nots will only lead to future significant problems. We know the world will change in unknown ways with the application of artificial intelligence. However, we should leverage the advantages that come with AI as we begin to create a strategic blueprint to reduce this digital divide for the world community. So let’s talk a little bit about AI as it offers significant benefits for building out networks in unconnected markets by enabling efficient resource allocation, proactive maintenance, and of course enhanced security, which is so needed in today’s world. AI-powered solutions for addressing digital divide can also optimize network infrastructure and we can apply the technology to intelligently assess opportunity gaps. So in terms of where do we start, we need to be infrastructure-ready. There are many reasons why this divide exists. So let’s talk about the infrastructure. Clearly a blueprint will start with addressing the lack of physical cables and so on and addressing the installation and putting an architecture in place to put the media together. And while this connectivity is essential, it’s only one part of the equation. You will then need to light this infrastructure to begin to get the bits and bytes flowing. So the Internet depends on this very strong technical foundation that allows it to function reliably, securely, and at scale. And this foundation, as you know so well, includes a domain name system, IP addresses, and root service systems. These elements may not be visible to the user community. However, we need to come together as a global community to ensure that we can put these different parts together to bring connectivity to those who are unconnected. At ICANN, we help coordinate this layer of the Internet. We work to maintain the stability and security of the DNS. We manage and facilitate the Internet’s unique identifier systems. We support the deployment of root server operations in underserved regions. And we also partner with technical operators and institutions across the global south to help strengthen local capacity and resilience. ICANN, of course, doesn’t build physical infrastructure. We coordinate key systems with colleagues around the world that makes connectivity reliable and sustainable. However, there’s yet another barrier, and that’s the barrier of language. Today, millions of users still cannot fully engage with the Internet in their own language or script, and this speaks to locality. And ICANN’s work on universal acceptance and internationalized domain names directly addresses this. These initiatives ensure that domain names and email addresses and local scripts work across devices, applications, and platforms. But this can only be possible if the technical community comes together, those who operate up and down the technology stack to make this happen. These capabilities are critical for cultural and linguistic participation. We encourage governments and institutions to integrate universal acceptance, international ICT strategies, and public service delivery. The technical steps are clear. The impact, particularly for multilingual and underserved communities, is significant. Solving this divide also depends significantly on coordination. ICANN was created as a multi-stakeholder organization, bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, and others to help manage these critical Internet resources. That model continues to be very relevant, and it’s open, it’s collaborative, and technically grounded, has helped keep the Internet stable and interoperable and global. We must continue to embrace it. So this coordination should not be assumed. Fragmentation at the technical level is a real and growing risk. An increasing number of governments are exploring state-led approaches to infrastructure and governance. Some are talking about a creation of a new multilateral model of Internet governance, which could result in serious issues in the functioning or even the existence of the single interoperable Internet. Of course, national interests are legitimate. No one’s disagreeing with that. However, divergence from global technical norms threatens the Internet’s core functionality, especially for the countries from the global South that could find themselves separated from the global Internet and part of some other networks that are not compatible. The Internet Governance Forum and all the other multi-stakeholder spaces help maintain alignment where it matters most, at the technical layer. They provide neutral platforms to resolve tensions and share solutions without imposing uniformity. The future of universal, affordable access depends on infrastructure that works, governance that adapts, accessibility above and beyond prevailing norms by applying universal acceptance, and participation that reflects the diversity of those who use the Internet. At ICANN, we remain committed to supporting this future by working with partners across the world, indeed with the global South, to expand technical resilience, enable multilingual access, and help keep the Internet globally connected. And hopefully we can close the digital divide. Thank you.

Zhang Hui: Thank you, Mr. Tripathi Sinha. Next, it is our great pleasure to welcome Mr. Zeng Xianliang, Secretary-General of the WRC. He has actually pushed forward the WRC’s transformation into a global platform for inclusive digital dialogue. Zeng Xianliang, Secretary-General of the WRC.

Ren Xianliang: and other key facilities to extend to developing countries. We focus on sustainable operation of infrastructure so that digital benefits can truly benefit the local population. We also strengthen the investment in capacity building and improve the level of digital education and skills. In the digital age, education and training are the biggest equalizer. We should increase the number of young people in southern countries and the ability of women, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to set up digital training centers and develop localization courses to open the door to the future of digitalization. Third, we should improve the global digital governance mechanism and ensure the participation rights of developing countries. At present, developing countries are working on key governance mechanisms such as digitalization rights and technical supervision. We call on the international community to join the global governance program under the framework of multilateral participation and realize the beautiful vision of building, sharing and governing together. Fourth, we should strengthen international cooperation and expand multilateral participation channels. We should strengthen international cooperation under the framework of multilateral participation and expand multilateral participation channels. We should strengthen international cooperation under the framework of multilateral participation and expand multilateral participation channels. As an international organization, the World Internet Conference sincerely invites more enterprises, institutions and individuals from all over the world to join the membership and start cooperation. We should work together to promote the sharing of technology, the complementarity of capabilities, the joint construction of a multilateral participation and the mutually beneficial future of digitalization. Ladies and gentlemen, digitalization is not only a technical problem, but also a problem of development and fairness. The World Internet Conference welcomes all parties to continue to promote digital technology and to contribute to a stronger development momentum for the global South. Let’s work together to build a network space and a shared future and make the Internet a blessing for the people all over the world. Thank you.

Zhang Hui: Thank you, Mr. Zeng. Next, it’s our great honor to welcome Ms. Qi Xiaoxia, the Director General of International Cooperation Bureau of Cyberspace Administration of China. She has extensive experience in international cyberspace exchange and cooperation. Welcome.

Qi Xiaoxia: Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends, good morning. I’m very pleased to be part of this distinguished panel discussing how to promote digital development and bridge digital divide for the global South. At present, as a collective of emerging market countries and developing countries, the global South has stepped onto the historical stage with great strides, injecting new impetus to global development and new progress for global governance. It has attracted the attention and anticipation of the international community. However, at the same time, the digital development deficit in the global South has become a weak link and a challenge that cannot be ignored as mankind embraces the digital age. How to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the global South does not fall behind in the digital age is a common task facing the international community. As a natural member of the global South, China has had the global South at heart and been deeply rooted in the global South. China regards assisting the development of the global South and bridging the digital divide as an unshakable international responsibility. In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled the vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, contributing China’s wisdom and approach to the development and global governance of Internet. The vision advocated prioritizing development and deepening international exchanges and cooperation in the digital field. It has responded effectively to the development demands and common concerns of the global South in the digital age and provided important guidance for helping the global South bridge the digital divide, narrow the digital divide, and enable more countries and people to share the fruits of Internet development. In the face of the wave of AI development, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to carry out extensive international cooperation on AI, helping the global South countries strengthen their technological capacity building and making China’s contributions to bridging the global intelligence gap. To help the global South bridge the digital divide, China is not only an advocate, but also a promoter and a pioneer. Under the theme of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, we have continuously hosted World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, providing an important platform for exchanges and cooperation for the global South to share the dividends of digital development. For four consecutive years, the Wuzhen Summit has released a collection of practice cases of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, providing useful reference experiences for the global South in bridging the digital divide. In July last year, the UN General Assembly adopted the China-sponsored resolution Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity Building of Artificial Intelligence. China has prioritized the follow-up implementation of the resolution and announced an action plan with ten major actions to fulfill the visions of the global South in five aspects, which contribute to strengthening AI capacity building for the global South. Last year, Chinese think tanks jointly launched the research report on global AI governance, identified AI divide and international collaboration as one of the ten key issues in global AI governance, and proposed a clear path of action to help the global South bridge the intelligence divide. Ladies and gentlemen, friends, development is the master key to solving all problems, and it is also the common aspiration and general expectations of the global South. Looking to the future, the global South should become a highland for digital innovation and development rather than a swamp left behind in sharing digital dividends. I would like to share three observations on how to accelerate bridging digital divide and create highlights of the global South. Firstly, the right to development of the global South should be upheld in the spirit of equality and mutual respect. Development is an eternal theme of human society and the right of all countries rather than an exclusive privilege of the few. China advocates respect for sovereignty in cyberspace and maintains that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal members of the international community and have the right to independently choose their own path of Internet development and the model of governance. Chinese think tanks have actively followed up and studied the issue of sovereignty in cyberspace and have successively released sovereignty in cyberspace theory and practice version 1.0 to 4.0, which provides an in-depth and systematic study and explanation of the specific issues related to the application of sovereignty in the process of digital-driven, Internet-based and smart growth and contribute to the theoretical support of safeguarding the right to digital development for the global South. Facing the issue of our time to help the global South bridge digital divide, China will always be committed to respecting sovereignty in cyberspace and work with the international community to respect the path of digital development and the models of governance of all countries, jointly oppose cyber hegemony and the politicization of technological issues with a view to fostering a favorable environment conducive to digital development for the global South. Secondly, practical cooperation should be strengthened to enhance digital Thank you all for joining us today. We are proud to announce that we are launching a new digital capacity for the global South. AI and other emerging technologies are on the rise. Dramatically enhancing mankind’s ability to understand and transform the world, while at the same time, raising the threshold of digital development capacity. In addition to international cooperation in capacity-building and digital capacity building, we will launch five new training workshops for Latin America and Caribbean countries, and for ASEAN countries, to carry out targeted training in digital capacity. Next, we will organize five more training workshops for the global South, with a view to continuously strengthening digital capacity building for the global South. We call on the international community to join hands in building a multi-channel exchange platform for the global South, to enhance its digital capacity, and help bridge the digital divide by building a multi-channel exchange platform, carrying out assistance and training projects, and promoting the sharing of knowledge on AI and other emerging technologies. Thirdly, efforts should be made to promote collaborative governance and amplify the voice of the global South in digital capacity building. At present, global digital governance is at an important crossroads, and the global South presents an important force for improving global governance. Listening to more voices from the global South can better help bridge the digital divide. China has organized the China-ASEAN Digital Governance Dialogue, China-Africa Internet Exchange Forum, and has deeply engaged in cooperation on digital governance under the platforms such as APEC, the BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, thus contributing more solutions to global digital governance. China is willing to work with the international community to support more active and broader participation by the global South in the digital governance processes of the United Nations, regional multilateral organizations, and specialized agencies. China aims to promote the enhancement of the representation and the voice of the global South in global digital governance so as to make the will of the global South be reflected in a more balanced and reasonable manner, and further consolidate the international consensus on bridging the digital divide. Thank you for your attention.

Zhang Hui: Thank you. and advocate, who is the chairman of Ghana Dot Com, the Father of Internet in Africa, Internet hall of fame, and the awardee of the WRC distinguished contribution.

Nii Quaynor: Thank you for the opportunity for me to share a session with such excellent speakers. In my perspective, it’s about time to mobilize additional attention on bridging the digital divide to address the systemic issues that impede efforts to eliminate divides with the global south. Although the digital divide is a very difficult challenge and pervasive, some countries are making progress in preventing its widening. Technology divides have a long history, as was mentioned earlier. In the 70s, we were missing human resources to initiate computer science institutions or build enterprise systems. In the 80s, we faced scientific instrumentation, computer interfacing deficiencies, VLSI, and in the 90s, Internet arrived in our countries with even more divides. It appears every new technology comes with its distinct divides, and some may widen other divides. However, addressing known limitations of infrastructure and costs, quality education, and digital governance will determine effective participation by the global south in the digital economies. Emerging Internet communities like in Africa feel fortunate with the open practices that give us a chance to be globally involved. The open standards, open documentation, and open participation have been particularly helpful in building capacity and networks addressing digital divide. Though we have made good progress with Internet, we have several challenges. Observations on resilience of Internet in Africa show a ready digital economy at about half midway user penetration, but has fragile infrastructure and known technical capacity needs. We have seen a decline in the number of data centers, connectivity, exchange points, capacity, and users are all improving. Africa is at 4.4 domain names per thousand, where global is 45 per thousand. 10 CCTLD registries have 92% of names. There are 13 ICANN globally accredited registrars in Africa and more than 1,000 registries in the world. Demand for hosting and data centers continue to increase. With an increasing attention on growing the infrastructure, the number of users in Africa region would soon be second only to Asia. The Burgundy REN research and education network ecosystem is becoming active with regional RENs and national RENs and campuses. We have seen a decline in the number of data centers, connectivity, exchange points, capacity, and users are all improving. With an increasing attention on growing the infrastructure, the number of users in Africa region would soon be second only to Asia. The infrastructure is working by standards, best practices regulation of operators and technical capacity. The approaches here are inherently multi-stakeholder and more bottom-up community discussions. The multi-stakeholder approach has its potency well-known, but is also known to have requirements. The multi-stakeholder approach is a multistakeholder approach and is a multi-stakeholder approach. The multi-stakeholder approach is a multi-stakeholder approach and is a multi-stakeholder approach. It is necessary to avoid capture and can sometimes result in a decision by fatigue. It also needs a meritorious moderator to call consensus in deliberations. The lack of consensus among resource members has caused a review of the arrangements around regional Internet registries. Fortunately, this impasse, like the Internet itself, the African registry core functions have shown resilience, and there are lessons learned to improve the governance. Participation in global MS organizations is voluntary and or by paid staff of organizations. The global south can have challenges finding, therefore, good participants. How to make the multi-stakeholder approach work better in the global south might be a governance divide issue to be addressed. We continue to deepen our foundation to cope with emerging technologies and learn how to manage with our limited resources, yet be able to be on the supply chain. We are not alone in this. We have to be prepared to adapt to new challenges and to adapt to new aspects of our strategy as well. With weak foundations, power, general infrastructure, skills, science education, our efforts were not good enough to meet the rapid growth of access speed, quality, and need for IPv6 access technology upgrades. The need for access speed and service went hard with some dominant providers with concentration and consolidation. The economic model of the internet, never favorable to newcomers, has not eased things for the global south. Where is the revenue to maintain and improve and develop infrastructure services constantly? The fast tracking of things for immediate results creates an efficient ecosystem that is unable to address the challenges and coping with the future. The non-existence of a stimulative and adaptive framework for rapidly evolving technology tends to hibernate innovations. What can we do? We can review the frameworks and make policies to enable innovation and creation and not just regulate usage. We have to build up on science education, optimize the use of data centers and exchange points and other existing infrastructure. Lots of effort and resources have been put in these and prudent to preserve the investment. Optimize knowledge transfer and capacity building through strong fundamental and intergenerational mentorship and coaching. Digital divide is tough. Therefore, in addition to all ongoing efforts, we welcome increased attention on it. We are encouraged by technical cooperation opportunities on global governance and digital divide. A South-South cooperation and collaboration leveraging WIC’s multi-stakeholder network to join in dealing with digital divides of the global South is a useful addition. The maturing AI technology threatens the digital divide the most, given associated high cost of infrastructure, high power requirements and technical skills needed to be on the supply side. Hence, attempt to harness AI to address the digital divide in this forum is insightful, might prevent it generating divide and bring real meaning to AI for good, AI for digital unity. Thank you very much for your attention.

Zhang Hui: Thank you, Dr. Quaynor. Now let’s give the floor to our youth leader. We welcome Mr. Chern Choong Thum, Special Functional Officer at the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia and also a 2024 global youth leader. He supports Malaysia’s digital strategy and regional innovation programs. Welcome.

Chern Choong Thum: And good morning from Malaysia. It is a great honour to be here, not only as a representative of the youth, but also one from Southeast Asia to speak about an issue affecting not just economies, but also the very heart of our societies, the digital divide. In Malaysia, we say muafakat membawa berkat, bersekutu bertambah mutu, reflecting our belief that unity brings great things. In our ultra-connected world, this spirit has never been more important. Yes, the rapid advancement of digital technology has brought incredible opportunities, but it has also widened gaps. In a global South, communities are still being left behind due to unequal access, high cost and also limited digital skills. As artificial intelligence, cloud services and the digital economy continue to accelerate, these gaps risk turning into chasms. The ITU Facts and Figures 2024 starkly highlight this uneven progress. While 5.5 billion people are online today, a third of the world, predominantly in the global South’s rural, low-income areas, remains disconnected. Internet use is almost universal in high-income nations, but drops to just 27% in low-income economies. Even at 5G expense, its reach in the poorest countries is a mere 4%. This digital exclusion mirrors existing social and economic inequalities demanding urgent action. That is why our policies must be open, inclusive, accepting of one another and most importantly, human-centric. The internet, after all, is not just a tool for commerce or entertainment. It has become a lifeline, a platform for learning, for healthcare, for livelihoods and for communities to connect and support one another. Malaysia takes this very seriously. As Chair of ASEAN in 2025, we champion inclusivity and sustainability as our theme for the year. As our theme, it is not enough to just grow fast. We must grow together and sustainably. Our Kuala Lumpur Declaration, sealed this May, envisions a shared future where no one is left behind. Recognising these disparities, Malaysia has actively deployed tangible solutions. Our National Information Dissemination Centres, or NADI Centres, exemplify this commitment. With 1,069 operational nationwide, these hubs provide collective internet access and vital ICT training, bridging the gaps for rural and urban poor communities. In a significant collaboration, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, MCMC, and Microsoft has launched the AI Teach Skills for AI-Enabled Economy programme at NADI Centres, directly equipping local communities with crucial AI skills. Our Jandela Plan further strengthens this foundation. As of December 2024, Jandela has equipped over 9 million premises with fibre optic access, boosted media mobile download speeds to 105 Mbps and also extended internet coverage in populated areas to 98.66%. These efforts ensure a more equitable quality of digital experience regardless of location. Beyond infrastructure, we champion digital literacy and skills for the AI era. Initiatives like AI Untuk Rakyat enhance emerging tech skills across Malaysians. And through the Ministry of Human Resources National Training Week 2025, nearly 400,000 teachers nationwide are receiving large-scale upskilling, including comprehensive AI training to prepare our generation for a future-ready education. Take AI governance for example. Malaysia has developed the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics and collaborated with ASEAN on their AI Guide. In both, we prioritise people and not just systems. Ethical, inclusive AI is not just a luxury for the global south, but a necessity for equitable development. We aim to advocate for digital governance frameworks that empower and uplift every community. Now as a doctor myself working in public health, I’ve seen firsthand how the digital divide carries a very real, very tangible consequences. At the time when a surgeon in Rome can perform an operation on a patient in Beijing through 5G-powered surgical robots, far too many communities still struggle to access even basic online health consultations or timely public health information. This gap is about lives. Digital exclusion deepens health inequalities, inequities, cutting off access to life-saving services and vital health education. Digital inclusion is not just an economic imperative, it is also a public health priority. And while we look at macro-level solutions, we must not forget the micro. The Southeast Asian kampung spirit, which means looking out for your neighbour, remains really strong. We should embrace this globally, creating spaces where no one is left behind. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, refugees and vulnerable populations must be given platforms to be heard and to lead. As part of the Global South, Malaysia will collaborate with ASEAN, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific to co-develop tailored solutions. The Global Youth Leaders Programme organised by the World Internet Conference is an inspiring example of bringing diverse young changemakers together. We must ensure such opportunities exist for the marginalised, not as a token, but also as a core part of our digital future. Let us collectively build bridges, not walls. Let us harness digital governance not as a tool of control, but as a platform for empowerment. And let us remember that the true measure of our digital progress is not in how we advance our systems are, but in how many lives we uplift along the way. Terima kasih, thank you, and may we , move forward together. Thank you.

Zhang Hui: Thank you to all our distinguished speakers. Today, we will prioritise forward-looking solutions to bridge the digital divide in the Global South. This open forum reflects a growing international consensus that inclusive dialogue and global engagement are essential to building a trusted, accessible and people-centred digital future. Looking ahead, the WRC is committed to deepening our cooperation with the Global South, listening, engaging and creating pathways to digital empowerment. On behalf of the WRC, thank you once again for your participation, insights and ongoing dedication. We look forward to continuing this wide conversation and working together to build a more inclusive, human-centred digital future. See you next year. Thank you.

Agreement points

Digital divide represents urgent global challenge requiring immediate attention

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Francis Gurry
– Tripti Sinha
– Nii Quaynor
– Chern Choong Thum

Arguments

2.6 billion people remain offline, majority in least developed countries – Digital Divide as Opportunity Gap

Digital technology has penetrated all aspects of life making lack of access a major disadvantage – Digital Technology as Foundation of Modern Life

Need for infrastructure readiness including physical cables, DNS systems, and root servers – Technical Foundation Requirements

Africa shows fragile infrastructure despite improving connectivity and user growth – African Infrastructure Challenges

5.5 billion people are online but a third of the world remains disconnected, predominantly in Global South rural areas – Uneven Global Progress

Summary

All speakers acknowledge the digital divide as a critical and urgent global challenge, with billions still offline, particularly in the Global South. They agree this represents not just access gaps but opportunity gaps that require immediate coordinated action.

Topics

Development | Infrastructure

AI poses both opportunities and risks for exacerbating the digital divide

Speakers

– Francis Gurry
– Tripti Sinha
– Nii Quaynor
– Qi Xiaoxia

Arguments

Artificial intelligence arrival at unprecedented speed risks exacerbating digital divide – AI as Accelerating Factor

AI can optimize network infrastructure and enable efficient resource allocation for unconnected markets – AI-Powered Network Solutions

AI threatens digital divide most due to high infrastructure costs and technical skill requirements – AI Infrastructure Barriers

Digital capacity building through training workshops and knowledge sharing platforms essential – Digital Capacity Building

Summary

Speakers agree that AI represents a double-edged sword – offering solutions for network optimization and resource allocation while simultaneously threatening to widen the digital divide due to high infrastructure costs and technical requirements.

Topics

Development | Infrastructure | Economic

Multi-stakeholder governance approaches are essential but face implementation challenges

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Tripti Sinha
– Ren Xianliang
– Nii Quaynor

Arguments

Bottom-up grassroots processes are foundational to global efforts, giving communities voice

Multi-stakeholder governance model remains relevant for keeping Internet stable and globally connected – Multi-stakeholder Model Importance

Need for multilateral participation framework ensuring developing countries’ participation rights – Global Governance Participation

Multi-stakeholder approach has potency but requires good moderation and can face participation challenges in Global South – Governance Implementation Challenges

Summary

All speakers support multi-stakeholder governance models while acknowledging practical challenges in implementation, particularly ensuring meaningful participation from Global South countries and communities.

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development

Capacity building and education are fundamental to bridging the digital divide

Speakers

– Li Junhua
– Ren Xianliang
– Qi Xiaoxia
– Nii Quaynor
– Chern Choong Thum

Arguments

Bottom-up grassroots processes are foundational to global efforts, giving communities voice

Focus on sustainable infrastructure operation and digital education as the biggest equalizer – Sustainable Infrastructure Focus

Digital capacity building through training workshops and knowledge sharing platforms essential – Digital Capacity Building

Need for intergenerational mentorship and coaching to optimize knowledge transfer – Knowledge Transfer Optimization

Malaysia’s NADI Centers provide internet access and ICT training, with AI skills programs – Community Access Centers

Summary

Speakers unanimously agree that capacity building, education, and skills development are crucial equalizers in addressing the digital divide, with emphasis on localized training programs and community-based approaches.

Topics

Development | Sociocultural

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers provide historical and economic context showing that technology divides are persistent challenges that require sustained resources, with current funding crises making the situation more critical.

Speakers

– Francis Gurry
– Nii Quaynor

Arguments

38% reduction in development funding next year creates crisis in addressing digital divide – Development Funding Crisis

Every new technology brings distinct divides and may widen existing ones – Technology Divide Pattern

Topics

Development | Economic

Both speakers emphasize the importance of maintaining global Internet unity while respecting national sovereignty, though from different perspectives – technical stability versus political sovereignty.

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha
– Qi Xiaoxia

Arguments

Risk of fragmentation from state-led approaches and new multilateral models threatening single Internet – Fragmentation Risks

China advocates respecting sovereignty in cyberspace and opposing cyber hegemony – Sovereignty in Cyberspace

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Infrastructure

Both speakers advocate for inclusive international platforms and human-centric approaches to digital development, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no one is left behind.

Speakers

– Ren Xianliang
– Chern Choong Thum

Arguments

World Internet Conference provides platform for Global South to share digital development dividends – International Platform Creation

Malaysia champions inclusivity and sustainability as ASEAN Chair with human-centric policies – ASEAN Leadership Approach

Topics

Development | Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Unexpected consensus

Language and cultural barriers as significant digital divide factors

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha

Arguments

Millions cannot engage with Internet in their own language creating participation barriers – Language Barriers

Universal acceptance and internationalized domain names critical for cultural and linguistic participation – Multilingual Internet Access

Explanation

While most speakers focused on infrastructure and economic barriers, Tripti Sinha uniquely highlighted language and cultural barriers as significant factors in the digital divide, representing an important but often overlooked dimension of digital inclusion.

Topics

Sociocultural | Infrastructure | Multilingualism

Digital divide as public health priority

Speakers

– Chern Choong Thum

Arguments

5.5 billion people are online but a third of the world remains disconnected, predominantly in Global South rural areas – Uneven Global Progress

Explanation

Chern Choong Thum uniquely framed the digital divide as a public health issue, noting how digital exclusion deepens health inequalities and cuts off access to life-saving services, providing a medical perspective not emphasized by other speakers.

Topics

Development | Human rights

Overall assessment

Summary

Strong consensus exists among speakers on the urgency of addressing the digital divide, the dual nature of AI as both solution and challenge, the importance of multi-stakeholder governance, and the critical role of capacity building and education.

Consensus level

High level of consensus with complementary perspectives rather than conflicting views. The agreement spans technical, policy, and implementation aspects, suggesting a mature understanding of the challenges and potential for coordinated action. The consensus implies strong foundation for international cooperation and coordinated strategies to bridge the digital divide.

Different viewpoints

Governance approach – Multi-stakeholder vs State sovereignty

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha
– Qi Xiaoxia

Arguments

Multi-stakeholder governance model remains relevant for keeping Internet stable and globally connected – Multi-stakeholder Model Importance

China advocates respecting sovereignty in cyberspace and opposing cyber hegemony – Sovereignty in Cyberspace

Summary

Tripti Sinha advocates for ICANN’s multi-stakeholder model bringing together governments, private sector, civil society, and technical community, while Qi Xiaoxia emphasizes state sovereignty in cyberspace and countries’ rights to independently choose their own Internet development paths and governance models

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Infrastructure

Risk assessment of fragmentation vs sovereignty protection

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha
– Qi Xiaoxia

Arguments

Risk of fragmentation from state-led approaches and new multilateral models threatening single Internet – Fragmentation Risks

China advocates respecting sovereignty in cyberspace and opposing cyber hegemony – Sovereignty in Cyberspace

Summary

Tripti Sinha warns that state-led approaches and new multilateral models could fragment the Internet and separate Global South countries from the global Internet, while Qi Xiaoxia frames state sovereignty as protection against cyber hegemony and politicization of technological issues

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Infrastructure

Unexpected differences

Multi-stakeholder governance effectiveness in Global South

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha
– Nii Quaynor

Arguments

Multi-stakeholder governance model remains relevant for keeping Internet stable and globally connected – Multi-stakeholder Model Importance

Multi-stakeholder approach has potency but requires good moderation and can face participation challenges in Global South – Governance Implementation Challenges

Explanation

While both speakers support multi-stakeholder approaches, Nii Quaynor provides a more nuanced critique highlighting practical implementation challenges in the Global South, including resource constraints and participation difficulties, which somewhat contradicts Tripti Sinha’s more optimistic view of the model’s universal applicability

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Development

Overall assessment

Summary

The main areas of disagreement center on governance approaches (multi-stakeholder vs state sovereignty), risk assessment of Internet fragmentation, and implementation strategies for addressing the digital divide

Disagreement level

Moderate disagreement level with significant implications. While speakers largely agree on the urgency of bridging the digital divide, their fundamental differences on governance models could impact international cooperation efforts. The tension between multi-stakeholder governance and state sovereignty represents a core challenge in global Internet governance that could affect policy coordination and resource allocation for Global South development initiatives

Partial agreements

Similar viewpoints

Both speakers provide historical and economic context showing that technology divides are persistent challenges that require sustained resources, with current funding crises making the situation more critical.

Speakers

– Francis Gurry
– Nii Quaynor

Arguments

38% reduction in development funding next year creates crisis in addressing digital divide – Development Funding Crisis

Every new technology brings distinct divides and may widen existing ones – Technology Divide Pattern

Topics

Development | Economic

Both speakers emphasize the importance of maintaining global Internet unity while respecting national sovereignty, though from different perspectives – technical stability versus political sovereignty.

Speakers

– Tripti Sinha
– Qi Xiaoxia

Arguments

Risk of fragmentation from state-led approaches and new multilateral models threatening single Internet – Fragmentation Risks

China advocates respecting sovereignty in cyberspace and opposing cyber hegemony – Sovereignty in Cyberspace

Topics

Legal and regulatory | Infrastructure

Both speakers advocate for inclusive international platforms and human-centric approaches to digital development, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no one is left behind.

Speakers

– Ren Xianliang
– Chern Choong Thum

Arguments

World Internet Conference provides platform for Global South to share digital development dividends – International Platform Creation

Malaysia champions inclusivity and sustainability as ASEAN Chair with human-centric policies – ASEAN Leadership Approach

Topics

Development | Legal and regulatory | Human rights

Key takeaways

The digital divide has evolved beyond infrastructure to encompass affordability, digital skills, and meaningful participation, with 2.6 billion people still offline globally

A critical crisis point exists due to 38% reduction in development funding coinciding with AI’s rapid advancement, which risks dramatically exacerbating existing digital divides

Multi-stakeholder governance models remain essential for maintaining a unified, interoperable global Internet, but face implementation challenges in the Global South

Infrastructure development must be coupled with capacity building, digital literacy programs, and culturally inclusive solutions including multilingual Internet access

Bottom-up, community-driven approaches are foundational to bridging divides, requiring local empowerment alongside global coordination

AI presents both opportunities (network optimization, resource allocation) and threats (high infrastructure costs, technical skill requirements) for addressing digital divides

Regional cooperation and South-South collaboration are crucial, with successful models like Malaysia’s NADI Centers and China’s capacity building initiatives showing practical pathways forward

Resolutions and action items

World Internet Conference commits to deepening cooperation with Global South through continued dialogue and engagement platforms

China announced implementation of UN resolution on AI capacity building with ten major actions and five additional training workshops for Global South countries

Malaysia will leverage its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship to champion inclusivity and sustainability themes in digital development

ICANN commits to continued support for technical resilience, multilingual access, and global connectivity in underserved regions

Call for international community to join multi-channel exchange platforms and assistance programs for Global South digital capacity building

WSIS Plus 20 review identified as opportunity to renew global commitment to digital inclusion and meaningful access for all

Unresolved issues

How to address the massive development funding crisis while meeting increased needs for AI-era digital infrastructure

Balancing national sovereignty in cyberspace with maintaining unified global Internet standards and interoperability

Making multi-stakeholder governance models work more effectively in Global South contexts where participation can be challenging

Preventing AI advancement from creating new forms of digital colonialism or widening existing technological gaps

Sustainable financing models for ongoing infrastructure maintenance and improvement in resource-constrained environments

Addressing the concentration and consolidation of dominant Internet providers that disadvantage newcomers and Global South participation

Suggested compromises

Respecting national sovereignty in cyberspace while maintaining global technical standards through neutral multi-stakeholder platforms

Leveraging AI technology to address digital divides (network optimization, resource allocation) while simultaneously building capacity to prevent AI from creating new divides

Combining top-down international cooperation frameworks with bottom-up community-driven solutions to ensure local relevance and global coordination

Balancing rapid technological advancement with sustainable, inclusive development that doesn’t leave communities behind

Integrating universal acceptance and internationalized domain names into national ICT strategies while maintaining global Internet interoperability

Despite the progress, I think we are at a real crisis point in relation to the digital divide, and that crisis I think comes from two challenges. The first challenge is the crisis in development funding… And the second problem is that never has funding and development assistance been more needed than at the present time when artificial intelligence is coming online at such a speed that it is baffling to all of us.

Speaker

Francis Gurry

Reason

This comment reframes the entire discussion by identifying a critical paradox: just as AI creates unprecedented opportunities and needs for bridging the digital divide, the resources to address it are dramatically shrinking. Gurry quantifies this with the stark statistic of 38% less development funding, creating urgency around what could otherwise be seen as a gradual progress issue.

Impact

This comment fundamentally shifted the tone from optimistic progress reporting to crisis management. It influenced subsequent speakers to address practical solutions and international cooperation more urgently. The ‘crisis framing’ became a recurring theme, with later speakers like Tripti Sinha acknowledging ‘we are in a financial crisis’ and emphasizing the need for strategic coordination.

As the old adage goes, knowledge begets knowledge, wealth begets wealth, and those who possess these will only have the opportunity to obtain more. Similarly, innovation begets innovation. And for those who are not part of this opportunity ecosystem, you know, they will suffer and they will fall behind.

Speaker

Tripti Sinha

Reason

This philosophical observation introduces a systems thinking perspective that explains why the digital divide is self-perpetuating and accelerating. It moves beyond technical solutions to address the fundamental economic and social dynamics that make digital inequality a compounding problem rather than a static gap.

Impact

This comment deepened the analytical framework of the discussion, moving it from infrastructure-focused solutions to systemic inequality concerns. It provided intellectual foundation for why urgent, coordinated action is needed and influenced the conversation toward more holistic approaches that address root causes rather than just symptoms.

It appears every new technology comes with its distinct divides, and some may widen other divides… The maturing AI technology threatens the digital divide the most, given associated high cost of infrastructure, high power requirements and technical skills needed to be on the supply side.

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Reason

This historical perspective from someone dubbed the ‘Father of Internet in Africa’ provides crucial context by showing that digital divides are not anomalies but predictable patterns that accompany technological advancement. His ground-level experience adds authenticity to the theoretical discussions and warns that AI represents the most challenging divide yet.

Impact

Quaynor’s historical framing validated the crisis narrative established by earlier speakers while providing practical credibility from someone who has lived through multiple technology transitions. His comment influenced the discussion to consider AI not just as a solution tool but as a potential amplifier of existing inequalities, adding nuance to the technology-optimism expressed by other speakers.

Digital exclusion deepens health inequalities, inequities, cutting off access to life-saving services and vital health education… Digital inclusion is not just an economic imperative, it is also a public health priority.

Speaker

Chern Choong Thum

Reason

As the youth representative and a doctor, Thum brings a human-centered perspective that connects abstract digital policy to tangible life-and-death consequences. His medical background provides unique authority to discuss how digital divides translate into health disparities, making the issue more visceral and urgent.

Impact

This comment humanized the entire discussion by connecting digital access to fundamental human needs like healthcare. It broadened the conversation beyond economic development to include social justice and human rights dimensions, influencing the final framing of digital inclusion as a moral imperative rather than just a development goal.

The multi-stakeholder approach has its potency well-known, but is also known to have requirements… It is necessary to avoid capture and can sometimes result in a decision by fatigue. It also needs a meritorious moderator to call consensus in deliberations.

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Reason

This is a rare moment of critical self-reflection about the governance model that underlies the entire forum. Quaynor acknowledges the limitations of the multi-stakeholder approach that everyone else takes for granted, introducing necessary skepticism about whether current governance structures are adequate for addressing the digital divide.

Impact

This comment introduced a meta-level critique that challenged the fundamental assumptions of the forum itself. It added complexity to discussions about governance solutions and influenced later speakers to be more specific about implementation mechanisms rather than just advocating for more multi-stakeholder cooperation.

Overall assessment

These key comments transformed what could have been a routine policy discussion into a more urgent, nuanced, and strategically focused conversation. Gurry’s crisis framing established the stakes, Sinha’s systems thinking explained the underlying dynamics, Quaynor’s historical perspective provided credibility and warnings, Thum’s health focus humanized the issues, and Quaynor’s governance critique added necessary self-reflection. Together, these interventions elevated the discussion from incremental progress reporting to strategic crisis response, while maintaining focus on practical solutions and human-centered outcomes. The comments created a progression from problem identification to systemic analysis to implementation challenges, resulting in a more sophisticated understanding of both the urgency and complexity of bridging the digital divide.

How can we develop a major international strategic plan to address the digital divide crisis caused by reduced development funding and rapid AI advancement?

Speaker

Francis Gurry

Explanation

Gurry identified a critical crisis point where development funding is decreasing by 38% while AI technology is advancing rapidly, creating an urgent need for coordinated international response

How can we make the multi-stakeholder approach work better in the global south, particularly addressing governance divide issues?

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Explanation

Quaynor highlighted challenges with multi-stakeholder participation in the global south, including difficulties finding good participants and potential decision fatigue, suggesting this governance approach needs improvement

How can we review and reform frameworks to enable innovation and creation rather than just regulate usage in rapidly evolving technology environments?

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Explanation

Quaynor noted that non-existence of stimulative and adaptive frameworks for rapidly evolving technology tends to hibernate innovations, requiring policy reform

Where is the revenue to maintain, improve and develop infrastructure services constantly in the global south?

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Explanation

Quaynor raised concerns about the economic sustainability of internet infrastructure in the global south, questioning the financial model for ongoing maintenance and development

How can AI be harnessed to address the digital divide rather than generate new divides?

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Explanation

Given AI’s high infrastructure costs, power requirements, and technical skills needed, there’s a need to explore how AI can be leveraged for good and digital unity rather than widening gaps

How can we ensure that universal acceptance and internationalized domain names work across all devices, applications, and platforms through technical community coordination?

Speaker

Tripti Sinha

Explanation

Sinha emphasized that language barriers prevent millions from fully engaging with the Internet, requiring coordinated technical efforts across the technology stack

How can we prevent fragmentation at the technical level and maintain a single interoperable Internet while respecting national interests?

Speaker

Tripti Sinha

Explanation

Sinha warned about the growing risk of technical fragmentation as governments explore state-led approaches, which could separate global south countries from the global Internet

How can we optimize knowledge transfer and capacity building through intergenerational mentorship and coaching in the global south?

Speaker

Nii Quaynor

Explanation

Quaynor suggested this as a key strategy for addressing digital divides, but the specific mechanisms and implementation approaches need further development