Announcements

Thank you for joining the discussion on hot Internet governance topics in the Asia-Pacific region. As the local host, TWNIC is glad to share the highlights and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible success of this year’s Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF). The event was a testament to the power of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community spirit. A Vibrant Gathering This year’s APrIGF has 1060 registrations, and brought together over 671 physical participants and 1674 online participations from diverse sectors, including academia, civil society, government, youth and the private sector. Among those registered, the event achieved excellent gender balance: approximately 49% male, 46% female, and 5% identifying as non-binary or preferring not to say. The forum featured more than 57 sessions, each delving into critical topics related to Internet governance. We were privileged to have participants from over 63 countries, each bringing unique insights and perspectives to the table. You may find event photos on TWNIC’s Flickr. A Heartfelt Thank You We extend our deepest thanks to all participants, session organizers, and speakers. Your active engagement and valuable contributions were the driving force behind the forum’s success. The overall satisfaction score from the survey was 4.32 out of 5. You can check the aprigf.tw website to watch the session recordings and provide comments to the synthesis documents. Looking Ahead to Nepal As we celebrate the success of this year’s APrIGF, we are excited to announce that the next forum will be held in Nepal. We look forward to your continued support and participation in making the next APrIGF another memorable and enriching experience. Thank you once again for being a part of this journey. Together, we are shaping the future of Internet governance in the Asia-Pacific region. See you in Nepal!

Draft 0 is currently open for public input from 15 – 25 August. Please go to https://comment.aprigf.asia to contribute to the Synthesis Document. Join us in person at Taipei or online during the Townhall sessions on 21 and 22 August. Everyone is welcome to take the mic. Make your voice heard! Background The APrIGF Synthesis Document started as an experiment of the APrIGF 2015 Macau meeting. The concept was first raised and discussed at the APrIGF 2014 New Delhi Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) meetings, and further refined over the course of MSG deliberations through the year. Through the years, the Synthesis Document process has evolved through the collaborative efforts of the Drafting Committee and the APrIGF community. The Synthesis Document aims to document items of common interest relevant to Internet governance in the Asia Pacific region and has developed into one of the highlight innovations of the APrIGF and inspired other national and regional initiatives to develop their own processes. The current open input framework document is based on the submitted and accepted workshop proposals for APrIGF 2024, which will contain policy questions and basic summary of topics to be discussed at the APrIGF event. Further input will be sought at the Townhall sessions during the APrIGF event. Please go to the program for more details. The Synthesis Document aims only to document the input from participants at the APrIGF and is not intended to be representative of the diverse Asia Pacific region. Nevertheless, it is the hope of the APrIGF MSG that the development of the Synthesis Document can help drive active participation in the movement, as well as to allow for a platform to project voices, views and thoughts in the Asia Pacific region as contributions to relevant global, national, local and international forums on internet governance. Draft Timeline 2024 Synthesis Document draft timeline (dates subject to change) 15 August Draft 0 published, Public Comment opens 22-23 August APrIGF Townhall Sessions 25 August (Extended) 1 September Draft 0 Public comment closes Late August – Mid September Drafting Committee working period Late September Draft 1 Public comment 2 period Late September – Early October Drafting Committee working period Mid October 2024 Synthesis Document Published Please contact sec[at]aprigf.asia for more information.

This year’s Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) theme is “Evolving Ecosystems, Enduring Principles: Shaping Responsible Internet Governance”. In line with this, the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP) is delighted to host a workshop on “Connected Resilience: Gendered Experiences of Meaningful Connectivity” as part of the event’s agenda. The workshop will delve into the findings of the Connected Resilience research, which offers insights into the gendered experiences of meaningful connectivity amidst the global pandemic. By exploring the challenges and opportunities in achieving gender digital inclusion, the workshop aims to inform policy decisions and foster collaborative efforts towards more equitable and resilient digital ecosystems. The workshop will be a 2.5-hour interactive session, allowing ample time for presentations, discussions, and participant engagement. Register now to secure your spot. The workshop is designed to bring together a diverse audience, including policymakers, business leaders, civil society representatives, researchers, and individuals passionate about digital inclusion. Stakeholders from various sectors and backgrounds will have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and insights to this action-focused discussion and knowledge-sharing workshop. Speakers:  Date: 20 August 2024 (APrIGF Day 0) Time: 9 am (Taipei) Format: In-person Location: Meeting Room 203, NTUH International Convention Center Register now to secure your spot.