Specific Issues for Discussion:
The transformative impact of the Internet that we celebrate today is based on the Internet being open, accessible, inclusive, and globally interoperable. The multistakeholder approach to Internet governance (IG) has allowed it to thrive. Internet standards are a great example of the benefits of diverse participation. They keep the Internet running as smoothly as we expect, especially if agreed openly and collaboratively. As IG discussions continually evolve alongside geopolitical developments, more events and processes within the UN multilateral system have come to the fore that impact on IG discussions. These include the new Global Digital Compact (GDC) as part of the UN Summit of the Future, the ITU WSIS+20 Forum High Level Event, and the impending WSIS+20 review process in 2025. Outside the UN system, the announcement of the NetMundial+10 meeting is perhaps another response from the multistakeholder community to all these UN processes.
This session will inform the Asia Pacific community of the outcome and/or progress of discussions at NetMundial+10, ITU WSIS+20 Forum High Level Event, and GDC, and will examine their potential impact to the future of the Internet, including how they might affect or influence the 2025 UN WSIS+20 review process. Most importantly, the session will encourage community discussions on the importance of the multistakeholder approach, and how these developments could impact the Asia Pacific region. The session offers the opportunity to follow-up on some of the discussions from the APrIGF 2023 Townhall session “Is Fragmentation the Future of the Internet and How can we Resist?” Is there a lens in the IG discussions as referenced above which has an effect or impact on Internet fragmentation? Through guided questions (detailed in the agenda section), the APrIGF community will explore what lessons can be learnt, and how IG may further evolve as a result of these discussions. Responses to questions will be limited to two minutes per person.
