IGF 2025 Open Forum #9 NRIs and the GDC: Building Sustainable Digital Cooperation

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 60
    Format description: The Roundtable format fosters interactive dialogue among diverse stakeholders, ensuring a balanced discussion on NRIs' role in global digital cooperation. Unlike traditional panels, this setup encourages collaborative problem-solving, where NRIs, policymakers, and technical experts exchange insights on bridging the global digital governance gap. A 60-minute session allows for brief opening statements (15 min), followed by a structured, interactive discussion (30 min), and Q&A engagement (15 min) to collect recommendations. The hybrid setup ensures active online participation through live polls and interactive chat features. This format maximizes audience engagement, enables multi-stakeholder perspectives, and strengthens NRIs' contributions to the Global Digital Compact discussions.
    Description
    As the world moves toward a Global Digital Compact (GDC), ensuring that National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs) have a voice in global digital governance is crucial. This session provides a platform for NRIs, policymakers, and civil society to discuss: (i) NRIs' contributions to shaping national and regional digital policies. (ii) Challenges in influencing global digital policy frameworks.(iii)Strategies to enhance Global South participation in digital cooperation. (iv) The role of youth and intergenerational dialogue in shaping sustainable governance models. Through this roundtable discussion, the session will explore solutions, highlight successful NRI-led initiatives, and develop policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration between NRIs, governments, and international organizations.

    Dedicated moderators will ensure seamless participation between onsite and online attendees. Online participants will engage via live Q&A. Breakout discussions will include onsite and virtual participants for a collaborative exchange of ideas.
    Organizers
    DC DDHT | Youth IGF Bénin | ISOC BENIN
    Osvaldo Larancuent (ISOC Dominican Republic, Civil Society, Latin America & Caribbean) Una Wang (Singapore IGF, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific) Ignacio Sánchez González (IGF Chile, Academia, Latin America & Caribbean) Muhammed Bello Buhari (CIVICUS, Youth Ambassador, Africa) Yao Amevi A. SOSSOU (Youth IGF Benin) Kossi AMESSINOU (Ministry of Economy & Finance, Africa Region)
    Speakers
    Onsite Speakers: Lucien CASTEX (France, Technical Community) Carlos Vera Sanchez (Youth IGF Ecuador) Ignacio Sánchez González (IGF Chile, Academia) Online Speakers: 4. Muhammed Bello Buhari (CIVICUS, Internet Society Youth Ambassador) 5. Una Wang (Singapore IGF, Private Sector) 6. Omor Faruque (GDC Ambassador, Global Digital Compact) Moderators: Onsite Moderator: Yao Amevi A. SOSSOU (Youth IGF Benin) Online Moderator: Kossi AMESSINOU (Ministry of Economy & Finance, Africa Region) Backup Online Moderator: Muriel ALAPINI (Benin IGF)
    Onsite Moderator
    Online Moderator
    Rapporteur
    SDGs
    4. Quality Education
    4.4
    4.7
    5. Gender Equality
    5.b
    8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
    8.2
    8.3
    9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
    9.c
    10. Reduced Inequalities
    10.2
    10.3
    16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    16.6
    16.7
    17. Partnerships for the Goals
    17.16
    17.17


    Targets: 4. Quality Education (4.4, 4.7) - Digital skills & governance literacy 5. Gender Equality (5.b) - Women’s participation in digital policy 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth (8.2, 8.3) - Digital economy inclusion 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (9.c) - Digital access and governance 10. Reduced Inequalities (10.2, 10.3) - Digital inclusion for marginalized communities 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (16.6, 16.7, 16.10) - Digital cooperation & policy governance 17. Partnerships for the Goals (17.16, 17.17) - Strengthening global digital partnerships