Session
Description
In our increasingly interconnected world, digitalisation has become the cornerstone of economic growth and societal progress. New technologies and innovative business models are reshaping industries, transcending borders, and transforming economies. As we stand at this pivotal juncture, it is crucial to assess the state of global digital policy and chart a course that fosters sustainable and inclusive development. This roundtable brings together government representatives and industry leaders, to deliberate on critical issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and governance. We will draw insights from key global forums, including the G7, G20, the Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, WSIS+20, NETmundial+10, and potentially other regional policy fora. Our goal is to synthesize policy discussions and recommendations from these diverse platforms, identifying common ground and areas for collaboration. We will discuss key issues of business priority, including: 1. AI: AI is reshaping industries, enhancing productivity, and revolutionizing decision-making. We will explore responsible AI deployment, ethical considerations, and the need for international cooperation in AI governance. 2. Data Governance: Data flows underpin the digital economy. We'll delve into data privacy, cross-border data transfers, and mechanisms for harmonizing data regulations across jurisdictions. 3. Digital governance mechanisms: Take stock of policy discussions and recommendations from NETmundial+10, the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, and share considerations ahead of the WSIS+20 review process. By fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and forging partnerships, we aim to advance a cohesive global digital policy framework—one that balances innovation, security, and inclusivity. The aim of this session is also to incentivise increased participation in the IGF by businesses and governments – traditionally the most underrepresented stakeholder groups in IGF sessions. A moderated, interactive panel discussion will consider the core policy areas noted above, based on the below draft session structure • Introduction by Session Chair presenting the vision for partnerships and collaboration enabling globally interoperable policy solutions; • For each topic (data, AI,) a government and a business speaker will be invited to set the scene for discussion by other roundtable participants facilitated by the speaker moderator; • Interventions from the audience both online and offline will be facilitated by the floor moderator, with priority given to representatives of civil society, academia and the technical community; • The speaker moderator will then take stock of the discussion before moving to the next topic; At the end of the session, all roundtable participants will be given the opportunity to share concluding reflections before the speaker moderator takes stock of the session.
- Ms Maria Fernanda Garza, ICC Honorary Chair (Keynote speaker)
- Mr Thomas Schneider, Ambassador and Director of International Relations (OFCOM) & Vice Chair of Council of Europe Committee on AI (CAI)
- Ms Flavia Alves, Director & Head of International Institutions and Relations, Meta
- Mr Yoichi Iida, Assistant Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (MIC-Japan)
- Ms Maarit Palovirta, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Connect Europe
- Dr. Irina Soeffky, Director for National, European and International Digital Policy, German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
- Ms Larisa Galadza, Director-General, Global Affairs Canada, and Senior Official for Cyber, Digital and Critical Technology, Government of Canada
- Mr Amr Hashem, MENA Policy Director, GSMA
Speakers bios
Mr Thomas Schneider, Ambassador and Director of International Relations (OFCOM) & Vice Chair of Council of Europe Committee on AI (CAI)
Ambassador Thomas Schneider is a leading figure in digital and internet governance, representing Switzerland in various international forums. He chairs the Council of Europe’s Committee on AI (CAI), where he leads negotiations for a binding convention on AI, and serves as vice-chair of the OECD’s Committee for Digital Economy Policy. Since 2012, he has been the president of the EuroDIG Support Association. His previous roles include chair of the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Media and Information Society and chair of ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee, where he negotiated the IANA Stewardship transition. Additionally, he organized the 12th UN IGF in Geneva.
Ms Flavia Alves, Director & Head of International Institutions and Relations, Meta
Flavia Alves is the Director and Head of International Institutions and Relations at Meta. She holds an International Master's of Law (LL.M) from American University and a Law Degree from Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in São Paulo. As an international attorney and policy expert, Flavia leads Meta’s engagement with international institutions on various Internet-related policy matters, focusing on global convening and discussions that help harmonize technology application and accessibility based on strong internet governance. Before joining Meta, Flavia was a Senior Advisor for International ICT Policy at Telecommunications Management Group (TMG), where she advised clients worldwide on ICT policy matters, particularly their international forum strategies. She has also worked at the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) in Washington, D.C., and at the Federal Supreme Court in São Paulo, as well as in several recognized law firms in Brazil. Flavia is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Mr Yoichi Iida, Assistant Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (MIC-Japan)
Yoichi Iida is the Assistant Vice Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (MIC-Japan). He has extensive experience in international policy coordination and discussions at G7, G20, ASEAN, and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), as well as through various bilateral dialogues. In 2019, Yoichi chaired the G20 Digital Economy Task Force meetings and led discussions that resulted in the adoption of the “G20 AI Principles,” which are based on the OECD AI Principles. He was elected Chair of the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) at the OECD in November 2019.
Ms Maarit Palovirta, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, Connect Europe
Maarit Palovirta is the Deputy Director General of Connect Europe, representing leading providers of connectivity networks and services in Europe. She leads the association’s policy and organisational strategy, overseeing various policy and regulatory topics as well as international outreach. Additionally, she is a board member of CTAM Europe. Before joining Connect Europe as Director of Regulatory Affairs in 2019, Maarit was a Senior Manager of European Affairs at the Internet Society, where she gained significant experience in internet development and built extensive connections with global internet and tech stakeholders. She previously worked as a public sector business development manager at Cisco Systems, engaging with governments across the EMEA region for six years. Maarit also has a strong service-oriented profile from her experience in leading public affairs consultancies in Brussels. Her academic background includes studies at the College of Europe, London School of Economics, King’s College London, and Sciences Po Paris.
Dr. Irina Soeffky, Director for National, European and International Digital Policy, German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
Irina Soeffky is the Director for National, European, and International Digital Policy at the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. With over 15 years of experience in public service, she has worked extensively on international issues. Irina holds degrees in law and economics.
Ms Larisa Galadza, Director-General, Global Affairs Canada, and Senior Official for Cyber, Digital and Critical Technology, Government of Canada
Larisa Galadza is the Director General of the Cyber, Critical Technology, and Democratic Resilience Bureau in the International Security and Political Affairs Branch of Global Affairs Canada. Before her current role, Larisa was the Head of the Canada-US Engagement Taskforce at Global Affairs Canada from February to August 2024. She previously served as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023. Her earlier positions include Director General of the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program at Global Affairs Canada (2016-2019), Director General of Admissibility at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2014-2016), and Director of Operations for the Social Affairs Committee of Cabinet at the Privy Council Office (2012-2014). Larisa also held roles as Director of Strategic Policy and Research and Senior Director for National Security Policy at Public Safety (2006-2012), and worked at the Treasury Board Secretariat (2003-2006) and the Privy Council Office (2001-2003), as well as in policy positions at the Department of National Defence. She received her BA Hons in Political Science and Ethics from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 1994 and an MA in International Affairs from Carleton University in 1996.
Mr Amr Hashem, MENA Policy Director, GSMA
Amr Hashem is the Policy Director for Middle East and North Africa at the GSM Association (GSMA), with nearly 30 years of experience in Information & Communication Technologies (ICT). He specializes in communication engineering, corporate strategy, and development policy. In his role, Amr promotes collaboration between mobile operators and regulators, advocating for regulations that support technologies like 5G and IoT. He has played a significant role in reforming Egypt’s telecom sector and negotiating telecommunications trade agreements. December 2024 | ICC BASIS IGF 2024 Session | 9 Amr co-founded Internet Masr, advocating for digital rights and inclusion in Egypt, and has served on boards for organizations like Telecom Egypt. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management of Technology, focusing on digital equity in developing countries. He holds an MBA from Maastricht School of Management and a B.Sc. in Communications Engineering from Alexandria University.
Ms Timea Suto, Global Digital Policy Lead, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Ms Whitney Jolivet, Executive Assistant, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Private Sector, African Group
Ms Nan Schechter, Program and Policy Associates, United States Council for International Business (USCIB), Western European and Others Group
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: Digital technologies, can be a formidable engine of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth, as well as a powerful catalyst to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This roundtable will aim to bring government and industry representatives together to discuss mutual priorities on advancing sustainable development through partnerships, as described in Goal 17 of the SDGs.
Roundtable
A Round Table format is best-placed for the type of cross-sector, collaborative session that we envisage. It will be optimal for establishing an atmosphere that ensures both participants and panellists can engage in fruitful discussion, and that they can do so on equal footing through a seating arrangement conducive to multi-person dialogue. To allow time for in-depth discussion and a Q&A section, 90 minutes is the most suitable timeframe for the session.