The very meaning and significance of the Internet is that it is a global network. In this regard, any restrictions on its functionality in connection with the protection of state sovereignty, often misunderstood, will inevitably lead to fragmentation of the Internet. In fact, the main functionality of the Internet is the transfer of information, including international one, and this functionality is violated when any fragmentation measures are applied. In addition, the inclusion of the Internet without restrictions and on the territory of the entire planet is the main value of the Internet as a global resource and property protected by the international community. Different jurisdictions, even unexpected ones, apply different official means to protect their citizens, but in reality to enforce their sovereignty over citizens, infrastructures, digital economies, and information. Digital transformation and information technologies facilitate surveillance, profiling, digitalizing restrictions and repressions. A Multi-stakeholder approach is the only way to protect peace, development, and sustainability, but it needs to be constantly applied to ensure balancing risks in the digital spaces. Non governmental stakeholders widely represented in the digital sphere, could be important participants in the discussion making move from multilateralism to real multistakeholderism. The Internet itself is much larger and less linear than the state borders of any country, and therefore the measures that are taken in relation to the sovereign Internet, the introduction of consequent regulatory norms within the country, are only negative and serve as a closure of the network from the world, then fragmentation on a global scale. The Internet is of value only when it has an interconnectedness that allows it to provide international communication without technical interference created by the state. Any complex technological system is the result of international efforts to create and maintain. Generally speaking, today it is impossible to create any technology only within the framework of one country, or such creation would be economically inexpedient or technologically deficient. Splintered Internet leads to growth of mistrust and risks of global conflicts. Today we can see that the Internet remains an exclusive tool for cooperation between nations without any political factors within countries. We can see its importance for global cooperation, not just multilateral, but multi-stakeholder. Bringing stakeholders from affected digitally transformed locations, high risks in freshly created digital space, is one of the targets of this session. We expect to create output documents summarizing risks and suggesting approaches for further development.

Remote Moderation would allow remote participants to interact in the Session as well as onsite participants.