The Internet Governance Forum is the only global forum hosting open and inclusive discussions on Internet governance and digital policies. For 19 editions, ICC has mobilised business representatives from across the globe to participate in the forum and was in Riyadh from 15-19 December driving input from business to co-shape the future of the Internet for the benefit of all.
The Internet is evolving. And so must the way we govern it. This year’s theme “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future” emphasised the critical role of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the Internet benefits everyone, everywhere, every day. It focused on fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange to harness the potential of digital innovation, while addressing the challenges of rapid transformation.
Is your business affected by Internet governance?
Regardless of sector, size or location, all businesses are affected by Internet governance and policies, developed to ensure the stable functioning and sustainable growth of our digital world for business and people.
How business made a difference at #IGF2024
Represented by the Business Action to Support the Information Society (ICC BASIS) and ICC national committees, global business contributed to this year’s Internet policy decisions in several ways:
Provided business recommendations on pressing digital policy issues
ICC BASIS organised four public-facing sessions and presented papers on strengthened digital cooperation and driving interoperable approaches for data free flow with trust, evolving AI governance and protecting critical infrastructure.
The sessions called for action to:
- Align existing global governance approaches through multistakeholder cooperation to address digital challenges, drive innovation and rebuild trust in international collaboration.
- Create adaptable, interoperable adaptable policies that enable data free flow with trust while addressing privacy, security and fragmentation risks.
- Adopt a future-proof, risk-based approach to AI governance that builds on existing frameworks, fosters collaboration and balances innovation with responsibility through context-specific, evidence-based policies.
- Strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructures through aligned cybersecurity efforts, trust-based public-private partnerships, and global cooperation while avoiding policies that restrict innovation and data flows.
Forged powerful partnerships
ICC BASIS members also connected with key government delegations, international organisations, civil society and technical community partners to discuss the recently adopted Global Digital Compact which envisions a secure, human-centred digital future, and the 20-year review of the outcomes of the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) in 2025, setting new goals for the future of digital development and governance.
