IGF 2024 Open Forum #34 Global Digital Cooperation: Ambition to Country-Level Action

Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A 90-minutes theater-style format is best suited to this discussion as it will allow for a panel discussion to be followed by interactive discussion.

Description

In September 2024, world leaders are expected to agree on a Global Digital Compact as part of the Summit of the Future to articulate shared principles and commitments for an open, free and secure digital future for all. Although the agreement of the Compact will mark an important milestone for global digital cooperation, realizing its ambitions and delivering on its commitments will require investments partnerships, and support at the country level. This would be especially important in view of the WSIS+20 review next year at the United Nations, which will also provide critical guidance on delivering impact directly to individuals, communities and countries all around the world.

This Open Forum will bring together stakeholders from across all sectors to discuss how to deliver on the commitments of the Global Digital Compact for countries around the world, recognizing the importance of Compact outcomes in continuing global digital cooperation efforts. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the role of the IGF community as a partner to the United Nations system in delivering on its mandates and the key role of the WSIS process, so as to support countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, narrow global digital divides and Leave No One Behind in this digital age.

The co-organizers will prioritize active engagement and interaction between onsite and online participants in three ways. First, we will include virtual speakers, already. Second, we will use the chat and other virtual engagement functions, such as polling, to ask participants to share their reflections on specific questions and issues throughout the session. Third, we will ensure a balanced discussion by alternating questions and contributions from onsite and online participants.

Organizers

UNDP
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization, Global
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Organization, Global
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), International Organization, Global
Southern Voice, Non-Governmental Organization, Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Internet Society, Non-Governmental Organization, Global

Speakers

High-level Representative, ITU, International Organization (name tbc)
Robert Opp, UNDP, International Organization, WEOG
Juwang Zhu, Director, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, and Acting Director, Division for Sustainable Development Goals, UN DESA, International Organization, Asia-Pacific
Margarita Gómez, Executive Director, Southern Voice, Non-Governmental Organization, GRULAC
Senior Representative, Internet Society, Non-Governmental Organization (name tbc)
Senior Representative, Intel, Private Sector (name tbc)
We will also add speakers from government (from Africa, GRULAC and the Asia Pacific specifically), as well as from among the NRIs, civil society, the technical community, and the private sector.

Onsite Moderator

UNDP

Online Moderator

UNDP

Rapporteur

UNDP