IGF 2024 Day 0 Event #58 IPv6 MS Collaboration: A Path to Digital Inclusion in MENA

    Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC)
    Chafic Chaya, RIPE NCC, Technical Community, WOEG Musaab Alammar, Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), Government

    Speakers

    - Musaab Alammar, Director of Internet Technologies Development Dept, Internet Center, Communications, Space and Technology Commission, Government, Saudi Arabia - Abdulrahman Almarzooqi, Director of Policy and Programs Department, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Government, United Arab Emirates - Hisham Ibrahim, Chief Community Officer, RIPE NCC, Technical Community, WEOG - Adel Ebrahim, Director of ITU Arab Regional Office, Intergovernmental Organisation - Mobile operator/ISP, private, Asia-pacific Group
    - Adel Darwich, Director of ITU Arab Regional Office, Intergovernmental Organisation
     

    Onsite Moderator

    Chafic Chaya, RIPE NCC

    Online Moderator

    Jad Elcham, Senior Public Policy Technical Advisor, RIPE NCC

    Rapporteur

    Ulka Athale, RIPE NCC

    SDGs

    9.1
    9.a
    10.2
    10.3
    11.a
    17.16
    17.17
    17.6
    17.7

    Targets: Several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) align well with the themes of IPv6 deployment, digital inclusion, and multistakeholder collaboration: 1. Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): This goal emphasises building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and fostering innovation, which aligns with the infrastructure improvements and innovative approaches the session discusses regarding IPv6 deployment. 2. Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The session focus on digital inclusion, especially in the context of bridging the digital divide through IPv6, supports this goal's aim to reduce inequality within and among countries by making information and communication technology more accessible to all. 3. Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable connects well with your discussion on improving Quality of Experience (QoE) and connectivity through IPv6, which can enhance urban living environments. 4. Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): This is particularly relevant as your session highlights multistakeholder collaboration across various groups, including government, technical community, Intergovernmental organisations and the private sector, aiming to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise global partnerships for sustainable development.

    Format

    Classroom

    Opting for a classroom-style layout ensures a direct engagement environment. This layout promotes focused attention toward the front, where speakers share insights and facilitate ease of interaction during Q&A sessions. The structured setup supports the efficient use of space, accommodating a larger audience.

    Description

    Aligned with the IGF's commitment to fostering an open, inclusive, robust and secure Internet, this session aims to spotlight the exemplary achievements of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – Middle East Region - in IPv6 adoption, joining the IPv6 world’s top list of countries. With the Depletion of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), the transition to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) becomes critical to expanding the Internet and catering to the remaining 2.6 billion disconnected individuals. This transition is not just about scalability; it's about enhanced connectivity, digital inclusion, and improved Quality of Experience (QoE). This session will showcase the successful collaborative model behind this achievement led by the different stakeholder groups' collaborative efforts, including government entities (regulators), the technical community (Regional Internet Registries), and the private sector (operators and Internet service providers). It serves as a blueprint for Internet governance efforts, demonstrating how joint efforts can address infrastructure and governance challenges and promote the Internet We want. The session will cover: 1. Governments' Role in IPv6 Adoption: Illustrating collaborative governance efforts across stakeholders, emphasising the critical role of government collaborative efforts in the Internet ecosystem. 2. Bridging Digital Divides and Fostering Digital Inclusivity: Discussing how IPv6 enables connectivity for the unconnected, thus supporting the goal of a universally accessible and inclusive Internet. 3. Boosting the Digital Economy and Cybersecurity: Exploring the contributions of IPv6 to economic growth, cybersecurity and QoE, crucial for a sustainable digital transformation. 4. Promoting Knowledge Exchange: Encouraging dialogue and exchanging best practices to overcome challenges and inspire similar collaborative efforts for IPv6 adoption. Organising this session will provide attendees with valuable insights to foster multistakeholder collaboration and practical strategies to enhance connectivity and digital inclusion through IPv6 deployment. Designed to stimulate rich dialogue, bringing together diverse perspectives from different stakeholder groups, the session aims to share actionable insights and guide future efforts in IPv6 deployment, achieving the Internet We Want.

    To ensure seamless interaction between onsite and online attendees, the dedicated online moderator will bridge the two audiences, relaying questions and comments from online participants to the panel, ensuring their active participation is as valued as those in the room. Participants onsite and online will be able to engage directly with the content and participate in discussions simultaneously. We will integrate platforms like Zoom, Google, or Microsoft Teams, allowing real-time contributions from all attendees. This approach ensures that every participant, whether onsite or online, can contribute meaningfully to the discussion, enhancing the collective output of the session.