Navigating the Future – Insights from the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

by Sebastian Rewerski

The 18th Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Kyoto on 8-12 October 2023, addressed pivotal global issues related to internet governance. With over 9,000 participants from almost 180 countries, this year’s IGF was the biggest gathering of the forum so far. Featuring 355 sessions, 1,200 speakers, and 8 overarching themes, the IGF covered some of the most pressing digital policy issues – from Access to the Internet, to Human Rights Online, Artificial Intelligence, Internet Fragmentation, Cybersecurity, or Data Governance and Trust. As a multistakeholder platform, the IGF plays a crucial role in bringing together representatives from different backgrounds, shaping a shared vision on the future of the Internet in a global public interest. 

Facing the upcoming Global Digital Compact (GDC) – proposed for adoption at the Summit of the Future in 2024 – and the potential extension of the current IGF mandate during the WSIS+20 process in 2025, the future of the forum and its underlying multistakeholder character were at the centre of several discussions. Concerns were raised about lack of transparency in the GDC process, unclear participation modalities and a potential marginalization of Civil Society, and the GDC’s impact on a potential fragmentation of the internet governance landscape. 

Three areas of action – Fragmented programme – Focus on AI

In order to keep harnessing digital technologies enabled by the internet to deliver on the SGDs, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres named three areas of action during his opening remarks: Closing the connectivity gap by bringing the remaining 2.6 billion people online (in particular women and girls in least developed countries). Closing the governance gap by better aligning the work of the IGF and other digital bodies across the UN system and beyond. And finally, re-enforcing human rights and human-cantered approach to digital cooperation. 

Overall, 60 sessions were dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), making AI the dominant topic of the IGF. The topic has entered the global political dialogue, impacting every sector, raising concerns and opportunities. While AI's applications surpass borders, policy discussions still focus primarily on the Global North, requiring more inclusive efforts and collaboration for a balanced approach. Governance, emphasizing human rights and transparent processes, must evolve from principles to actionable measures. The increasing deployment of AI globally calls for collaboration, diverse inclusion, and safeguards, particularly in addressing the implications of generative AI on human rights and democracy.

Digital Democracy in times of increasing Autocratisation

The threat to democracy posed by digital advancements was a central theme in light of rising autocratisation around the globe. Among others, discussions centred around the spread mis- and disinformation: facts, truth, and trust are determinants of a shared reality and the integrity of elections. Strategies included fact-checking, digital watermarking, support to civil society and journalism, addressing coded biases, but also building digital citizen resilience. 

The way forward

The 18th IGF provided a platform for critical discussions on the Internet's future. Yet, the future of the forum itself remains unclear. Heading towards 2024, the international community is facing crucial events, including the GDC, the Summit of the Future and the IGF 2024 held in Saudi Arabia. Kyoto has brought up new impulses and debates, on opportunities and challenges, but also on cooperation models to shape “The Internet we want”. Where could this lead to? The IGF Leadership Panel already sets the direction: “We believe that the Internet we want is whole and open, universal and inclusive, free-flowing and trustworthy, safe and secure and rights-respecting.”

Key Messages curated by the IGF Secretariat and currently open for public consultations can be found here. In addition, under this link further outcome documents are available.