The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 is set to take place in Norway from June 23 to 27. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the forum, with the theme “Building Digital Governance Together.” The event will address key sub-themes, including trust and resilience, sustainable and responsible innovation, access and rights, and digital cooperation. IGF 2025 is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the internet and setting the stage for the WSIS+20 meeting in December.
With over 10,000 participants anticipated to engage in more than 200 sessions, the forum provides a platform for global dialogue and collective action towards inclusive internet governance. Senior Global Advocacy Advisor Anna Oosterlinck will discuss the impact of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and its future during a Day 0 event. The workshop aims to provide a space for civil society to brainstorm on reclaiming the WSIS vision of a “people-centred, inclusive, development-oriented” information society, with a focus on data-driven and AI technologies, as well as ongoing challenges for digital inclusion.
Senior Legal Officer Chantal Joris will participate in several workshops and forums throughout the event.
Shaping inclusive internet governance
These sessions will explore the tech sector’s role in conflicts, the application of international legal frameworks to digital spaces, and the growing use of cyber operations in disputes and their implications for global security, human rights, and justice.
Martha Tudón and André Boselli will discuss the economic power of AI companies and digital platforms, their impact on human rights, and regulatory solutions to promote a diverse and competitive digital market during a workshop on June 25. The IGF serves as a critical opportunity to amplify the commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable internet. Organizations remain dedicated to using this annual event to further their mission and goals, focusing on contributing to global debates around digital technology governance and advancing social, environmental, and gender justice.
As the final phase of the WSIS+20 review begins, the recently published roadmap by the co-facilitators will guide the process leading up to the WSIS High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly in December. The review aims to consolidate various initiatives, making them more effective and output-oriented, while addressing new and contentious internet-related public policy issues. Despite the positive advancements in the digital era, each step introduces new challenges such as cybercrime, hate speech, mass surveillance, and the development of Internet-based autonomous weapon systems.
While expecting immediate global solutions may be unrealistic, the WSIS+20 review serves as a crucial milestone in addressing these issues over the next decade.
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