IGF 2024 Parliamentary Track

16 December

14:00-14:15

Parliamentary Track Room

[Opening] IGF Parliamentary Track: Welcome Remarks

• Junhua LI, Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
• H.E. Mishal F. Al-Sulami, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
• Martin Chungong, Secretary General, Inter-Parliamentary Union (remote)

16 December

14:15-15:00

Parliamentary Track Room

[Keynote Address]How to navigate an era of digital transformation: A dialogue on global cooperation

As the world must prepare for an inclusive, risk-free and sustainable digital transformation, navigating the digital transformation journey requires a strategic approach that encompasses an understanding of evolving trends and technology adoption while mitigating risks arising from these rapid changes. By facing this particularly disruptive period in human history, members of parliaments can ensure with a collaborative mindset that the transformation journey is inclusive, rights-respecting, sustainable and ethical. 

Speakers:

• Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 

Moderator:

• Shivanee Thapa, Senior News Editor at Nepal Television

16 December

15:00-15:45

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 1]Digital cooperation at the United Nations: A briefing for parliamentarians

High-level representatives from the United Nations system will brief parliamentarians on important digital governance processes, such as the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) review process. Members of parliament will be concretely informed on how to get involved and contribute to the shaping of our common digital future.

Speakers:

• Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology (remote)
• Mr. Muhammadou Kah, Chair of the Bureau of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (remote)

Moderator:

• Sorina Teleanu, Diplo Foundation

16 December

16:15-17:45

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 2]What are parliamentary priorities in the digital sphere today? An open exchange.

The Internet Governance Forum is a year-round process that has a network of over 170 National and Regional IGF initiatives. These initiatives involve local actors, including Members of Parliament. In 2024, regional Parliamentary Tracks were organized in Africa, in Central Asia and in Latin America and the Caribbean.
 
This session will report back on the most pressing digital issues that emerged from the regional Parliamentary Tracks, as a starting point for discussion on the priorities for parliaments in the coming year. These priorities will guide the discussions and inform the outputs from the global IGF Parliamentary Track.

Speakers:

• Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Senator, National Assembly of Nigeria
• Martin Yeza, Member of Parliament, Argentina
• Muneer Soroor, Member of Parliament, Bahrain
• Gulsharkan Kultaeva, Member of Parliament, Kyrgyzstan
• Lina Gálvez Muñoz, Member of the European Parliament 

Moderator:

• Agustina Ordonez, Chamber of Deputies, Argentina

17 December

09:30-10:15

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 3]Researching at the frontier: Insights from the private sector in developing large-scale AI systems

Innovation is a crucial element of societal development. As the core driver for modern existence, it addresses social needs and resolves collective problems, by contributing, among others, to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. Innovation can, however, disrupt markets. With the rapid development and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, societies are confronted with new risks and challenges.

During this session, parliamentarians will interact with representatives of a private sector company that develops large-scale AI systems and researches the safety and societal impact of its models as the technology becomes increasingly advanced and capable.

Speakers:

• Ivana Bartoletti, Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer, Wipro
• Basma Ammari, Director of Public Policy for AMEA, Meta
• Fuad Siddiqui, EY’s Global Innovations and Emerging Tech Leader

Moderator:

• Latifa Al-Abdulkarim, Member of Parliament, Saudi Shura Council  

17 December

10:15-11:00

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 4] Fostering Inclusive Digital Innovation and Transformation

Digital transformation offers a wide range of benefits, driving innovation, growth and access to global markets and education. However, the accelerated development and integration of digital technologies across societies risk exacerbating inequalities and infringing on rights. It is vital to ensure that opportunities arising from the digital transformation journey, starting with technological innovation, are accessible to all, including to marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Mindful of the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to Leave no one behind, this session delves into policy practices that promote inclusive digital innovation and transformation.

Speaker:

• Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
• Mario Nobile, Director General of AgID
• Ke GONG, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, Executive Director of the Chinese Institute for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies

Moderator:

• Tsvetelina Penkova, Member of the European Parliament 

17 December

11:30-13:00

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 5] Collaborative approaches to address online harms

In today’s hyperconnected world, users are confronted with risks when relying on the Internet’s applications. Indeed, the features that make the Internet powerful can also lead to online harms that impact societies, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups. Members of parliament have been given the delicate responsibility of developing effective legislation that enhances safety online, while balancing innovation and risks in the digital space. The global reach and the nature of these risks require collaboration across sectors and, in some cases, across international borders. This session brings parliamentarians together with different actors from the digital community to showcase successful collaborative approaches that effectively and sustainably address online harms.

Speakers:

• Jordan Hadfield, Legal Attaché, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Rajnesh Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the APNIC Foundation
• Brendan Dowling, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Australia
• Nighat Dad, Member of the Oversight Board
• Auhoud Al-Shehail, Member of Parliament, Shura Council of Saudi Arabia
• Jehad Abdulla Al Fadhel, Second Deputy Speaker, Shura Council of Bahrain 

Moderator:

• David Alamos, UNOCT

17 December

14:30-15:30

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 6] Leading the digital transformation journey: Dialogue with youth leaders

As future generations are the most affected by our global future, young people have a leading role in the digital transformation journey. Through a dedicated IGF Youth Track, a global network of young people active in the digital sphere has organized workshops across all regions around the theme Empowering young leaders for a trusted AI, which will culminate in the IGF 2024 Global Youth Summit. This session brings together youth leaders and parliamentarians to foster a dialogue on priorities and perspectives for a more inclusive digital future.

Speakers:

• H.E. Dansa Kourouma, President of the Guinean Parliament
• Tobias Bacherle, Member of Parliament, Germany (remote)
• Sahar Albazar, Member of Parliament, Egypt 
• Ihita Gangavarapu, India Youth IGF
• Duaa Albalawi, IGF Saudi Arabia 

Moderator:

• Keith Andere, African IGF

17 December

16:00-17:30

Parliamentary Track Room

[Parliamentary Session 7]Building parliamentary capacity to effectively shape the digital realm

By this time, the discussions at the Parliamentary Track will have drawn out the priority areas for parliaments to focus on. This session will go further into the “how”. What do parliaments and parliamentarians need in order to play a full role in shaping digital policies? How to build capacity in parliaments to take action on the priority issues? Experts and IGF partners from multiple disciplines and regions will be present in the session room to inform parliamentarians about training and exchange programmes, collaboration with academic institutions, peer learning, digital policy toolkits, stakeholder engagement platforms, and more. By investing in these capacity-building efforts, the IGF Parliamentary Track aims at supporting parliamentarians to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital transformation.

Speakers:

• Franz von Weizsaecker, Head of Programme, Citizens Engagement and Innovative Data Use for Africa’s Development, GIZ 
• Olga Skorokhodova, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Emerging Markets, Head of Caucasus, Central Asia & Russia, Google 
• Cedric Wachholz, Chief, Section for Digital Policy and Digital Transformation, UNESCO 
• Becky Burr, ICANN Board Member

Moderator:

• Rima Al-Yahya, Member of Parliament, Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

17 December

17:30-18:00

Parliamentary Track Room

18 December

15:15-16:45

Plenary Hall

[Parliamentary Roundtable in the IGF plenary] A powerful collective force for change: Parliamentarians for a prosperous global digital future

Global digital cooperation is increasingly important in our interconnected world, where digital technologies have become integral to nearly every aspect of life. International collaboration among parliaments is equally important, as digitalization continues to expand across borders, impacting citizens globally. The establishment of cooperative frameworks would ensure that the benefits of digital advancements are widely shared while addressing the challenges they pose. Through enhanced collaboration, parliaments can indeed help shape a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous global digital future.
The Parliamentary Roundtable will bring together parliamentarians from different regions of the world to share experience of collaborative initiatives to address emerging digital challenges, harmonize legislation, and facilitate global digital governance.

Speakers:

• H.E. Hakob Arshakyan, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
• Palwasha Mohammed Zain, Senator, Pakistan
• Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, Member of Parliament, Norway 
• Pamela Calleli, Member of Parliament, Argentina
• Maria Elago, Member of Parliament, Namibia
• Eisa AlOtaiby, Member of Parliament, Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Moderator:

• Najwa AlGhamdey, AI & Data Expert, Saudi Leaders Society