IGF 2022 Open Forum #66 South-South Collaboration in Web3 Governance

Interest is rapidly growing in "Web3 technologies" (blockchain, cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, decentralized autonomous organizations, and the metaverse), with uptake especially pronounced in the Global South. The proponents of these technologies claim that they are the next iteration of the Web, and that they will lead to a more democratized and decentralized internet, the past few years have seen many controversies and risks in its adoption. Privacy, security, and environmental concerns are just a few of the questions associated with this rise. With adoption of these technologies is even more pronounced in the Global South - SE Asia has some of the highest penetrations of blockchain technology usage, Africa has some of the highest rates of cryptocurrency adoption, El Salvador was the first country in the world to recognise Bitcoin as legal tender -will the benefits of this emerging technology be properly distributed? Or will they entrench previous power paradigms seen in previous iterations of the internet.

This panel will convene technologists and policy experts to discuss what responsible development of this new technology should look like and what the role South-South collaboration could be in this journey.