Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Organizer 2: Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Chafic Chaya, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Olga Cavalli, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Nicole T.I. Chan, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Olga Cavalli, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Nicole T.I. Chan, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: We have chosen a 90-minute roundtable format to facilitate an in-depth, interactive discussion on the complex policy issues surrounding digital cooperation and Internet fragmentation. This duration strikes an optimal balance, providing sufficient time for participants to delve into intricate topics without causing fatigue. Roundtable discussions are particularly effective for fostering open dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical experts. This format encourages equal participation, allowing for the exchange of varied perspectives and the collaborative development of actionable insights. By incorporating scenario-based breakout sessions within this timeframe, participants can collaboratively explore potential governance models and formulate concrete policy recommendations. This structured yet flexible approach ensures a comprehensive and solution-oriented session, promoting meaningful engagement and tangible outcomes.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: We have chosen a 90-minute roundtable format to facilitate an in-depth, interactive discussion on the complex policy issues surrounding digital cooperation and Internet fragmentation. This duration strikes an optimal balance, providing sufficient time for participants to delve into intricate topics without causing fatigue. Roundtable discussions are particularly effective for fostering open dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical experts. This format encourages equal participation, allowing for the exchange of varied perspectives and the collaborative development of actionable insights. By incorporating scenario-based breakout sessions within this timeframe, participants can collaboratively explore potential governance models and formulate concrete policy recommendations. This structured yet flexible approach ensures a comprehensive and solution-oriented session, promoting meaningful engagement and tangible outcomes.
Policy Question(s)
1- How can global digital governance frameworks, such as WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact, balance national sovereignty with the need for cross-border digital cooperation?
2- What are the risks and benefits of multilateral versus multistakeholder approaches in shaping Internet and AI governance, and how can these models coexist effectively?
3- What practical steps can governments, private sector actors, technical community, academia and civil society take to prevent Internet fragmentation while respecting national digital policies and cybersecurity concerns?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain critical insights into the evolving digital governance landscape and its implications for global cooperation. They will leave with a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of multistakeholder and multilateral governance models, as well as the risks and opportunities associated with each approach. The session will provide practical strategies for addressing Internet fragmentation, preserving digital trust, and navigating the intersection of national sovereignty and global cooperation. Through expert discussions and real-world case studies, attendees will acquire actionable knowledge on how to engage with policymakers, advocate for an open and interoperable Internet, and contribute to shaping inclusive and sustainable digital policies. Whether from government, civil society, technical community, or the private sector, participants will gain valuable perspectives to inform decision-making and collaboration in the digital era.
SDGs
Description:
As geopolitical tensions rise, national regulations tighten, and competing governance models emerge, the future of global digital cooperation faces increasing uncertainty. Governments, industry leaders, and civil society must navigate a complex landscape where sovereignty, security, and technological advancement intersect. While some nations advocate for a multilateral approach, emphasizing state-led control, others champion a multistakeholder model, alongside the multilateral approach, that fosters inclusivity, collaboration, and openness. This session will critically examine these diverging approaches and their implications for the future of Internet and AI governance. The discussion will address whether Internet fragmentation is inevitable in light of diverging regulatory frameworks and restrictions on cross-border data flows. It will explore how policy interventions can preserve global interoperability and ensure an open and accessible digital ecosystem taking into consideration the governments' concerns. The session will also assess the future of global digital agreements, including WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and emerging AI governance frameworks. It will analyze how these initiatives can either bridge the governance divide or exacerbate existing tensions, determining the path forward for international digital policy. Through case studies, the discussion will highlight Saudi Arabia’s consideration for greater multistakeholder engagement, illustrating how technical collaboration, regulatory evolution, and policy advocacy have shaped its digital governance. Conversely, it will discuss the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC)’s push for a state-led model, outlining the motivations behind this shift and its potential risks to Internet openness and digital rights. By contrasting these governance trajectories, the session will explore practical strategies for fostering digital trust, resilience, and cooperation while respecting national sovereignty concerns.
As geopolitical tensions rise, national regulations tighten, and competing governance models emerge, the future of global digital cooperation faces increasing uncertainty. Governments, industry leaders, and civil society must navigate a complex landscape where sovereignty, security, and technological advancement intersect. While some nations advocate for a multilateral approach, emphasizing state-led control, others champion a multistakeholder model, alongside the multilateral approach, that fosters inclusivity, collaboration, and openness. This session will critically examine these diverging approaches and their implications for the future of Internet and AI governance. The discussion will address whether Internet fragmentation is inevitable in light of diverging regulatory frameworks and restrictions on cross-border data flows. It will explore how policy interventions can preserve global interoperability and ensure an open and accessible digital ecosystem taking into consideration the governments' concerns. The session will also assess the future of global digital agreements, including WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and emerging AI governance frameworks. It will analyze how these initiatives can either bridge the governance divide or exacerbate existing tensions, determining the path forward for international digital policy. Through case studies, the discussion will highlight Saudi Arabia’s consideration for greater multistakeholder engagement, illustrating how technical collaboration, regulatory evolution, and policy advocacy have shaped its digital governance. Conversely, it will discuss the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC)’s push for a state-led model, outlining the motivations behind this shift and its potential risks to Internet openness and digital rights. By contrasting these governance trajectories, the session will explore practical strategies for fostering digital trust, resilience, and cooperation while respecting national sovereignty concerns.
Expected Outcomes
This session aims to produce actionable recommendations for strengthening multistakeholder cooperation in digital governance. A key outcome will be a policy brief outlining strategies to balance national sovereignty with global digital collaboration while mitigating risks of Internet fragmentation. The session will also generate a framework for regulatory alignment, designed to help governments, businesses, and civil society navigate cross-border digital challenges while maintaining trust and openness. Additionally, findings from the session may inform discussions at WSIS+20, the Global Digital Compact, and AI governance forums, ensuring that multistakeholder perspectives remain central to shaping future digital agreements. The session will foster ongoing dialogue between technical experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, encouraging further collaboration through follow-up workshops, research initiatives, and multistakeholder partnerships.
Hybrid Format: 1. Extensive experience in a hybrid environment: The organizers have gained excellent experience from many years of working with the ICANN community, where hybrid is essential to the work of the community.
2. Dedicated Moderation: Both the physical venue and the virtual platform will have dedicated moderators, ensuring questions and inputs from both groups are equally addressed.
3. Real-Time Engagement and Feedback Tools: We will utilize Google Docs for collaborative input and live polls for immediate feedback. Incorporating scenario-building exercises will further enhance participant engagement.
4. Interactive Q&A: Questions and Answers will alternate between online and onsite participants, managed by moderators to balance the interaction.
5. Social Media: Social media will be used before the event for publicity, during even for engagement, and post-event for surveys to gather detailed feedback.
6. Technical Rehearsals: A pre-session run-through will help minimize technical issues, ensuring a smooth experience during the actual session.