Session
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The session seeks to allow input from various stakeholder and regional groups on the role of the multistakeholder community in the implementation of the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC) and in the WSIS+20 Review. A roundtable setting would provide an appropriate layout for this, while the duration would allow a significant amount of voices to be heard.
With a number of key multilateral processes underway that have a potential of changing the Internet governance landscape, notably the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact (GDC), this session will provide a platform for the various stakeholders in this space, including governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, the technical community, and relevant UN bodies, to discuss strategies for upholding the multistakeholder model of Internet governance. With the WSIS+20 Review coming up in 2025, participants will explore the path forward in implementing the Pact and GDC through the process for a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. Relatedly, the session will also aim to provide an opportunity for relevant stakeholders to discuss the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in light of its mandate review in 2025. Stakeholders will examine ways to ensure the IGF’s role as a key platform for multistakeholder policy dialogue on Internet governance and for the promotion of an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space, outlined in the Tunis Agenda, is reaffirmed and strengthened, as well as discuss how the IGF can advance the commitments outlined in the GDC.
1) On-site support staff and online moderators will ensure that there is a seamless level of interaction between panelists present at the venue and those participating through a virtual meeting platform. Attendees both in-person and online will also be invited to ask questions through the available platforms. Ample time will be carved out for engagement from audience members. 2) We will aim to set rules of engagement for all attendees (inform them about the different ways they can interact during the event with the speakers and fellow participants, both online and offline, let online attendees know how they should use the chat feature, help them understand when to stay muted/unmuted, advise all participants on how and when they should ask questions, tell them who to contact in case any technical or practical issues arise). We would also assign designated online and on-site moderators, and prepare compelling content and structure of the agenda while being wary of meeting length. 3) We have not had any complementary tools or platforms planned at this time (subject to change).
Freedom Online Coalition
Luca Kuiper, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Jacco-Pepijn Baljet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Lea Kaspar / Nicholas Powell / Nusa Tomic / Zora Gouhary, Freedom Online Coalition Support Unit (intergovernmental organisation - secretariat housed in Global Partners Digital)
- Opening Remarks: Ernst Noorman, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Moderator: Jacco Pepijn-Baljet, Senior Policy Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Rasmus Lumi, Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
- Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Executive Director, Tech Global Institute
- Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager, Paradigm Initiative
- Fiona Alexander, American University
- Olaf Kolfman, Executive-level Advisor and Spokesperson, ISOC
- Emilar Gandhi, Global Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Meta
- Alex Walden, Global Head of Human Rights, Google
- Representative of the IGF Secretariat
- Representative of the Office of the UN Tech Envoy
Jacco Pepijn-Baljet, Senior Policy Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Zora Gouhary, FOC Support Unit
Nusa Tomic, FOC Support Unit
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
16.10
16.3
16.7
16.8
16.a
16.b
17.14
17.16
17.17
17.6
17.7
17.9
Targets: The session aims to, through international and multistakeholder coordination and cooperation, explore how to ensure global frameworks and policies around Internet and digital technology governance, such as the UN Global Digital Compact, uphold a multistakeholder and human rights-respecting approach, with the aim to provide a robust, effective, accountable, and transparent model of governance that is grounded in human rights law and ensures the inclusion of all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and the technical community. This includes both strengthening existing mechanisms and their roles in the space, and seeking to cooperate and avoid duplication when it comes to newly established mechanisms, to enable effective digital cooperation and achieving the SDGs.
Report
Multistakeholder Inclusivity is Essential for Digital Governance: Ensuring broad participation from all stakeholders—including governments, private companies, civil society, technical community, academia, but also the local communities that are most at risk by the potential negative impacts of digital technologies and/or traditionally have less access due to structural inequities and power dynamics — is crucial for effective digital governance.
Capacity Building and Empowerment are Critical: For multistakeholderism to be effective, it’s vital to build capacity of all stakeholders, especially from marginalised and underrepresented people within the stakeholder groups themselves. This ensures that everyone has access to relevant spaces, knowledge, tools, and resources to participate meaningfully in discussions and policy-making, and that technologies serve the global community equitably.
Existing Structures Need to Be Strengthened, Not Duplicated: Instead of creating new processes, stakeholders should focus on improving existing frameworks like the IGF, WSIS, and other UN mechanisms. These forums, that should remain grounded in a bottom-up approach, provide an opportunity for diverse voices to influence global digital policy, and enhancing their functionality is key to achieving tangible, inclusive outcomes.
Strengthen Multistakeholder Engagement: Ensure that all voices—especially those from marginalized communities and the global South—are actively involved in digital governance discussions, and are fully equipped to do so. This requires deliberate and intentional actions like capacity building, enhancing representation, and creating spaces for meaningful contributions from diverse stakeholders.
Focus on Improving Existing Processes: Rather than starting from scratch, leverage and strengthen current local and international frameworks like the IGF, both global and national/regional, and WSIS, as well as coalitions like the FOC, to ensure they effectively address global digital governance challenges. This involves making these processes more inclusive, transparent, and capable of delivering concrete outcomes.