Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Government, Eastern European Group
Speaker 1: Grongstad Ingeborg G. , Government, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Ole-Martin Martinsen, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Tu An Ngo, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Ole-Martin Martinsen, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Tu An Ngo, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Format
Theater
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A panel format accommodates a wide range of perspectives on digital diplomacy from different geographic, stakeholder, and sectoral backgrounds. It also allows for concise opening remarks followed by a dynamic Q&A that includes on-site and online participants. Given the complexity of digital diplomacy issues, the panel structure fosters nuanced dialogue, with each speaker sharing specific experiences and insights. A 60-minute timeframe encourages concise interventions and active audience engagement, ensuring a balanced discussion and immediate takeaways for all participants.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A panel format accommodates a wide range of perspectives on digital diplomacy from different geographic, stakeholder, and sectoral backgrounds. It also allows for concise opening remarks followed by a dynamic Q&A that includes on-site and online participants. Given the complexity of digital diplomacy issues, the panel structure fosters nuanced dialogue, with each speaker sharing specific experiences and insights. A 60-minute timeframe encourages concise interventions and active audience engagement, ensuring a balanced discussion and immediate takeaways for all participants.
Policy Question(s)
Policy Questions (up to 100 words total)
How can states of varying sizes and resources effectively engage with major technology companies to address cross-border digital challenges (e.g., cybersecurity, data flows, and AI governance)?
What frameworks or norms are needed to foster trustworthy collaboration among governments, industry, and civil society in shaping global digital policy?
How can countries ensure that digital diplomacy initiatives are inclusive and beneficial to all, bridging the digital divide and promoting sustainable development?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Attendees will gain a global overview of how digital diplomacy is evolving, including concrete examples of successful cooperation among governments, tech companies, and international organizations. They will learn practical strategies for negotiating digital issues, from cybersecurity frameworks to data protection and AI ethics, in ways that are inclusive and responsive to different national contexts. Additionally, participants will discover how to build multi-stakeholder partnerships that uphold transparency and innovation, take away best practices from diverse regions, and explore how smaller states or emerging economies can leverage digital diplomacy. Ultimately, attendees will gain actionable insights to enhance their own diplomatic efforts in the digital era.
SDGs
Description:
Digital diplomacy has become increasingly critical as technology reshapes global interactions and power dynamics. Beyond traditional government-to-government relations, states today also engage with major tech companies and digital platforms that influence the daily lives of billions worldwide. Whether discussing cybersecurity, data governance, or artificial intelligence, many policy challenges transcend national borders, underscoring the need for multi-stakeholder cooperation and globally inclusive approaches. This session explores how digital diplomacy can serve as a bridge between governments, industry, civil society, and international organizations, ensuring technology is harnessed to address shared global challenges. Drawing on diverse experiences from different regions, we will highlight the practical ways diplomacy can integrate digital considerations into foreign and security policy, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation. Participants will hear how countries can benefit from adapting diplomatic tools to the digital realm—strengthening dialogue with tech companies on pressing issues such as platform accountability, sustainable development, and capacity-building initiatives. The panel will include experts representing various geographic regions, stakeholder groups, and perspectives, demonstrating that digital diplomacy is essential for fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation worldwide.
Digital diplomacy has become increasingly critical as technology reshapes global interactions and power dynamics. Beyond traditional government-to-government relations, states today also engage with major tech companies and digital platforms that influence the daily lives of billions worldwide. Whether discussing cybersecurity, data governance, or artificial intelligence, many policy challenges transcend national borders, underscoring the need for multi-stakeholder cooperation and globally inclusive approaches. This session explores how digital diplomacy can serve as a bridge between governments, industry, civil society, and international organizations, ensuring technology is harnessed to address shared global challenges. Drawing on diverse experiences from different regions, we will highlight the practical ways diplomacy can integrate digital considerations into foreign and security policy, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation. Participants will hear how countries can benefit from adapting diplomatic tools to the digital realm—strengthening dialogue with tech companies on pressing issues such as platform accountability, sustainable development, and capacity-building initiatives. The panel will include experts representing various geographic regions, stakeholder groups, and perspectives, demonstrating that digital diplomacy is essential for fostering trust, collaboration, and innovation worldwide.
Expected Outcomes
The session aims to:
Showcase multi-regional examples of effective digital diplomacy, offering a range of stakeholder viewpoints.
Identify best practices and policy solutions that enable inclusive engagement with global tech actors.
Encourage new partnerships and follow-up dialogues across different regions, including potential workshops, bilateral projects, or multi-lateral platforms.
Produce a succinct post-event summary outlining key takeaways—practical tools, cooperation models, and recommended next steps—to guide policymakers, private sector actors, and civil society in advancing global digital diplomacy.
Hybrid Format: Interaction: Both on-site and online participants will submit questions, and the online moderator will relay questions to the panel in real time. We will also use a simple polling or Q&A tool accessible by all.
Design: Short presentations by each speaker followed by multiple Q&A segments ensure a lively and balanced conversation. Online and on-site participants will be equally acknowledged.
Tools: We plan to use the IGF-provided online platform along with live polls or chat-based Q&A to enhance inclusivity.
Orientation Session: Yes, we will attend IGF’s orientation to ensure strong hybrid moderation.
Moderation Training: If available, we welcome further training to optimize participant engagement.