In recent years, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has sought to strengthen the participation of parliamentarians in discussions on some of the most pressing issues related to the use, evolution and governance of the Internet and related digital technologies. Since 2019, the IGF Secretariat, together with the Interparliamentary Union and other stakeholders, have developed the Parliamentary Track, which included a series of activities for parliamentarians in the lead-up to and at the annual IGF meeting.
The track will continue its global activities, with sessions being held at the various regional and annual IGF meetings, while expanding partnerships with various stakeholders. With the aim to continuously improve the track activities and adjust to Parliamentarians' needs, the preparation of the Parliamentary Track in 2024 will incorporate the feedback collected from IGF 2023 Members of Parliaments, speakers and moderators.
The 2024 workplan will soon be published here. To help shape the IGF 2024 Parliamentary Track, Members of Parliaments will be invited to respond to a call for thematic input in EN | FR | SP and express their interest in participating at the regional and annual IGF Parliamentary Track.
Regional Summit of Parliamentarians: Artificial Intelligence and the Latin American Agenda | June 2024 | Argentina
The Chamber of Deputies of Argentina, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Track of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), hosts the First Regional Summit of Parliamentarians on Artificial Intelligence and the Latin American Agenda in Buenos Aires City, Argentina, from 13 to 14 June 2024.
The Summit encourages regional collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices related to AI technologies for further decision making. The Summit showcases the role of parliaments and explores concrete actions to consolidate a common regional position on issues related to AI, to create appropriate regulatory frameworks, and to promote responsible innovation, while protecting fundamental rights and values.
Starting with the Regional Summit, the IGF will develop a series of activities dedicated to parliamentarians from the region to have sustained conversations. The IGF plans on hosting a Parliamentary Track alongside the Latin America and the Caribbean IGF to be held in November 2024 in Chile, leading up to the annual IGF taking place from 15 to 19 December 2024 in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
To explore the programme and register, visit the page of the Regional Summit here.
Parliamentary Track at the Central Asian IGF | June 2024 | Uzbekistan
The Central Asian IGF (CAIGF) are regional IGF initiatives dedicated to fostering exchanges within the region on relevant digital policy topics.
The IGF is further strengthening Parliamentarian's involvement in discussions around digital public policy issues by expanding its regional activities. In line with this goal, parliamentarians from across Central Asia are invited to participate at CAIGF from 21 to 22 June 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which will include a dedicated session for Parliamentarians around the theme of Digital Transformation in Central Asia.
Visit the webpage of the Central Asian IGF, which will soon feature the programme for 2024.
European Dialogue on Internet Governance | June 2024 | Vilnius, Lithuania
EuroDIG 2024 is going to take place from 17 to 19 June in Vilnius, Lithuania. It will be hosted by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania (RRT) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania and Public Institution GoVilnius. Interest Parliamentarians are welcome to join this regional IGF.
Parliamentary Track at the Africa IGF | Date and Location TBC
More information on the Parliamentary Track activities will soon be published.
Parliamentary Track at the Latin America and Caribbean IGF | November 2024 | Chile
More information on the Parliamentary Track activities will soon be published.
Parliamentary Track at the annual IGF | December 2024 | Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
More information on the Parliamentary Track activities will soon be published.
Other Activities for Parliamentarians and Staff
Online Workshops
The Inter-Parliamentary Union, in cooperation with UNESCO and the IGF Secretariat, organized three capacity-building workshops on Artificial Intelligence (AI) from January to March, which were open to parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. The workshops also informed a forthcoming IPU resolution "The impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights and the rule of law". The resolution was debated at the 148th IPU Assembly in March with a view to being adopted at the 149th IPU Assembly in October.
- A changing landscape: An overview of recent advances in artificial intelligence: Monday, 22 January 2024, 15:00 (Geneva, CET). Moderated by Michelle Rempel Garner, Member of the House of Commons of Canada, Rapporteur of the IPU resolution.
- The emerging impacts of artificial intelligence on society: Thursday, 15 February 2024, 10:00 (Geneva, CET). Moderated by Neema Lugangira, Member of Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, rapporteur of the IPU resolution.
- Global responses to emerging advanced artificial intelligence technology: Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 15:00 (Geneva, CET). Moderated by Denis Naughten, Member of Parliament of Ireland, Chair of the IPU Working Group on Science and Technology.
Visit the IPU website for session summaries and highlights: Parliaments and AI: Going beyond the buzz
Quick Links
Parliamentary Track pages and Output Documents
- IGF Parliamentary Track main page
- IGF Parliamentary Track 2023 page and output document (EN | FR | SP)
- IGF Parliamentary Track 2022 page and output document (EN | FR | SP)
- IGF Parliamentary Track 2021 page and output document (EN | FR | SP)
- IGF Parliamentary Track 2020 page and output document (EN)
- IGF Message from the meeting of Parliamentarians 2019 (EN)
Toolkit for parliamentarians on key Internet and digital policy issues
Parliamentarians can learn more by using this guide to key digital policy issues and related processes and organizations: Towards a Global Digital Compact. This is a living document and will be updated accordingly.
Parliamentary Track recordings
Parliamentary Track activities can be viewed here on our IGF YouTube channel.