Session
Organization's Website
Theater
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A 90-minute panel discussion with five speakers and audience participation is ideal for fostering an engaging conversation on data governance questions across regions. A duration of 90 minutes allows for a balanced structure, ensuring that each speaker has enough time to share insights while also prioritizing interactive dialogue with attendees. The session will be structured as follows: brief introduction (5 minutes), moderated panel discussion (50 minutes), audience Q&A (35 minutes). This setup guarantees dynamic exchanges without overwhelming attendees with too much information. The theater-style room layout is the most suitable choice as it maximizes seating capacity and provides clear sightlines for all participants at the same time. This arrangement keeps the audience focused on the panelists, enhancing engagement and accessibility. It also encourages active participation during the Q&A segment, as attendees remain attentive and can easily interact with the speakers. Overall, this setup fosters an efficient, inclusive, and productive discussion.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A 90-minute panel discussion with five speakers and audience participation is ideal for fostering an engaging conversation on data governance questions across regions. A duration of 90 minutes allows for a balanced structure, ensuring that each speaker has enough time to share insights while also prioritizing interactive dialogue with attendees. The session will be structured as follows: brief introduction (5 minutes), moderated panel discussion (50 minutes), audience Q&A (35 minutes). This setup guarantees dynamic exchanges without overwhelming attendees with too much information. The theater-style room layout is the most suitable choice as it maximizes seating capacity and provides clear sightlines for all participants at the same time. This arrangement keeps the audience focused on the panelists, enhancing engagement and accessibility. It also encourages active participation during the Q&A segment, as attendees remain attentive and can easily interact with the speakers. Overall, this setup fosters an efficient, inclusive, and productive discussion.
Description
As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, effective data governance has become a cornerstone of economic growth, innovation, and digital sovereignty. The exponential increase in cross-border data flows raises complex challenges, including regulatory fragmentation, privacy protection, cybersecurity, and competition dynamics. Ensuring secure, interoperable, and equitable data governance frameworks is essential for fostering trust, economic resilience, and inclusive digital ecosystems. Beyond individual national policies, regional blocs must align strategies to balance innovation, security, and fundamental digital rights while enabling seamless and fair data exchanges.
This session will bring together key stakeholders from Africa, the Eastern Partnership, and the Western Balkans to explore pathways for collaborative and future-ready data governance. Discussions will focus on harmonizing regulatory approaches, ensuring interoperability, and reinforcing trust in cross-border data flows while safeguarding data sovereignty and user rights. By engaging policymakers, regulators, civil society actors and experts, the session will identify opportunities for regional and interregional cooperation, fostering governance models that promote responsible data sharing, economic competitiveness, and sustainable digital development.
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees?: To create a seamless experience for both onsite and online participants, we will facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees through: a) Dedicated Moderator Team & Technical Support: Assign a team of moderators who will actively engage both in-person and remote participants. A technical support team will ensure smooth communication. b) Equal Participation for Speakers: At this point in time, all speakers plan to attend the IGF 2025 in person. In case one of the speakers can only participate online, we will ensure the use of high-quality audiovisual equipment (cameras, microphones, and screens) to ensure that they appear prominently in the venue and are given equal speaking time. c) Live Q&A and Polling: We plan to use interactive tools like Slido or Mentimeter to allow all attendees to ask questions and respond to polls in real time. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants?: To ensure engagement and inclusivity, we will ensure: a balanced Agenda & Speaking Order that alternates between online and onsite speakers to maintain energy and engagement; include engagement activities and incorporate live polls, quick opinion rounds, and real-time feedback mechanisms; interactive Icebreakers: A quick round of introductions or a short activity at the beginning to make online participants feel included and seen/heard as well. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session: Slido or Mentimeter
1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees?: To create a seamless experience for both onsite and online participants, we will facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees through: a) Dedicated Moderator Team & Technical Support: Assign a team of moderators who will actively engage both in-person and remote participants. A technical support team will ensure smooth communication. b) Equal Participation for Speakers: At this point in time, all speakers plan to attend the IGF 2025 in person. In case one of the speakers can only participate online, we will ensure the use of high-quality audiovisual equipment (cameras, microphones, and screens) to ensure that they appear prominently in the venue and are given equal speaking time. c) Live Q&A and Polling: We plan to use interactive tools like Slido or Mentimeter to allow all attendees to ask questions and respond to polls in real time. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants?: To ensure engagement and inclusivity, we will ensure: a balanced Agenda & Speaking Order that alternates between online and onsite speakers to maintain energy and engagement; include engagement activities and incorporate live polls, quick opinion rounds, and real-time feedback mechanisms; interactive Icebreakers: A quick round of introductions or a short activity at the beginning to make online participants feel included and seen/heard as well. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session: Slido or Mentimeter
Organizers
Ministry of Information, the Republic of The Gambia
- Dr. Wakabi Wairagala, Executive Director, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), Uganda - Joshua Joshua, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Ethiopia
- Dr. Wakabi Wairagala, Executive Director, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), Uganda - Joshua Joshua, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Ethiopia
Speakers
• Fanding Kinteh, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Minister of Information, Gambia
• Milan Marinović, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Serbia
• Meri Sheroyan, Co-Founder Digital Armenia, Armenia
• Folake Olagunju, Ag. Director, Digital Economy & Post, ECOWAS Commission
• Olga Kyryliuk, Chair of Executive Committee at SEEDIG (South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance)
Onsite Moderator
Dr. Wakabi Wairagala, Executive Director, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), Uganda
Online Moderator
Joshua Joshua, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Rapporteur
Joshua Joshua, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
SDGs
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: Our panel discussion on data governance issues across regions featuring speakers from Africa, the Eastern Partnership, and the Western Balkans, directly aligns with the following SDGs: - SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Effective data governance is essential for building resilient digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and enabling industries to leverage data-driven solutions. By ensuring secure and interoperable data frameworks across borders and regions, regions can enhance connectivity and digital transformation, driving economic growth. - SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Transparent and accountable data governance across borders and regions strengthens institutions by promoting ethical data use, privacy protection, and cybersecurity. It supports trust in digital governance, reduces corruption risks, and enhances the rule of law, transparency and accountability in digital environments. - SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The panel highlights the importance of international cooperation across borders and regions in shaping inclusive and harmonized data governance frameworks. By sharing best practices and fostering cross-regional collaboration and new alliances, countries can collectively advance digital transformation while ensuring equitable access to data-driven opportunities.
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: Our panel discussion on data governance issues across regions featuring speakers from Africa, the Eastern Partnership, and the Western Balkans, directly aligns with the following SDGs: - SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Effective data governance is essential for building resilient digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and enabling industries to leverage data-driven solutions. By ensuring secure and interoperable data frameworks across borders and regions, regions can enhance connectivity and digital transformation, driving economic growth. - SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Transparent and accountable data governance across borders and regions strengthens institutions by promoting ethical data use, privacy protection, and cybersecurity. It supports trust in digital governance, reduces corruption risks, and enhances the rule of law, transparency and accountability in digital environments. - SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The panel highlights the importance of international cooperation across borders and regions in shaping inclusive and harmonized data governance frameworks. By sharing best practices and fostering cross-regional collaboration and new alliances, countries can collectively advance digital transformation while ensuring equitable access to data-driven opportunities.