Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance

Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance was a pivotal event that brought together stakeholders from around the world to discuss the future of Internet governance. The meeting was attended by representatives from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and other prominent Internet Service Providers, as well as officials from United Nations, European Union, and International Telecommunication Union. The event was also supported by organizations such as Internet Society, World Wide Web Consortium, and Association for Computing Machinery. Key figures like Vint Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee, and Lawrence Lessig played important roles in shaping the discussions.

● Introduction

The Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance was a response to growing concerns about the role of National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies in monitoring Internet traffic. The meeting aimed to promote a more inclusive and transparent approach to Internet governance, involving stakeholders from civil society, private sector, technical community, and governments like United States, China, and Russia. Organizations such as Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International were also involved in the discussions. The meeting was seen as an opportunity to strengthen the multistakeholder model of Internet governance, which has been supported by ICANN, IETF, and ISOC.

● Background

The meeting was held in the context of ongoing debates about Internet governance, which have involved stakeholders like VeriSign, Neustar, and ARIN. The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai had highlighted the need for a more inclusive and transparent approach to Internet governance, with participation from organizations like ITU, UNESCO, and OECD. The Montevideo Statement on the Future of Internet Cooperation had also emphasized the importance of a multistakeholder approach, with support from LACNIC, AFRINIC, and APNIC. The Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance built on these initiatives, with participation from RIPE NCC, NRO, and other Regional Internet Registries.

● Meeting Overview

The meeting took place on April 23-24, 2014, in São Paulo, Brazil, and was attended by over 800 participants from around the world, including representatives from Amazon, Cisco Systems, and IBM. The event featured a range of sessions and workshops, focusing on topics like net neutrality, cybersecurity, and human rights online, with input from experts like Bruce Schneier, Dan Kaminsky, and Sarah Kendzior. The meeting also included a high-level panel discussion with participants like Dilma Rousseff, Neelie Kroes, and Fadi Chehadé, as well as a session on the role of Internet Governance Forum in promoting multistakeholder cooperation.

● Key Outcomes and Recommendations

The meeting resulted in a number of key outcomes and recommendations, including the São Paulo Statement, which emphasized the importance of a multistakeholder approach to Internet governance, with support from organizations like Freedom House, Reporters Without Borders, and Access Now. The statement also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in Internet governance, with input from experts like Julian Assange, Jacob Appelbaum, and Laura Poitras. The meeting also led to the establishment of a number of working groups and initiatives, focusing on topics like enhanced cooperation and Internet governance capacity building, with participation from UNDP, USAID, and European Commission.

● Impact and Follow-up

The Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance had a significant impact on the development of Internet governance, with follow-up events like the Internet Governance Forum in Istanbul and the WSIS+10 Review process, which involved organizations like ITU, UNESCO, and OECD. The meeting also contributed to the development of new initiatives and policies, such as the European Union's Digital Single Market strategy, with input from European Parliament, European Council, and European Commission. The meeting's emphasis on multistakeholder cooperation and transparency has also influenced the work of organizations like ICANN, IETF, and ISOC, with support from VeriSign, Neustar, and ARIN.

● Participants and Stakeholders

The Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance brought together a diverse range of participants and stakeholders, including representatives from governments like United States, China, and Russia, as well as civil society organizations like Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. The meeting also involved private sector companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, as well as technical community organizations like ICANN, IETF, and ISOC. Other stakeholders included academia and research institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and University of Cambridge, as well as international organizations like United Nations, European Union, and International Telecommunication Union. The meeting's success was due in part to the active participation of stakeholders like Vint Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee, and Lawrence Lessig, who played important roles in shaping the discussions.

Category:Internet governance