Chairperson of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG)
of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Terms of Reference
Background
The mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was set out in paragraphs 72 to 80 of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (the Tunis Agenda), which requested “the UN Secretary-General, in an open and inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue—called the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)”1.
Since 2006, the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) of the IGF was established by the United Nations Secretary-General to assist in the programming and scheduling of the annual Forum and its intersessional activities. MAG members serve in their personal capacity but are expected to have established linkages with their respective stakeholder groups. The MAG, in fulfilling its responsibilities in accordance with the MAG Terms of References (ToR)2, is guided by the MAG Chairperson.
The Chairperson of the MAG, like all MAG Members, serves in her/his personal capacity.
I. Core responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the MAG Chairperson is to facilitate the MAG in carrying out tasks related to the programming and scheduling of the annual Forum, as described under the MAG’s ToR.
Specifically, the MAG Chairperson will be responsible to:
- Facilitate the MAG process of developing detailed programme and schedule of the annual IGF meetings, including the identification of themes, sub-themes and other issues, taking into account the inputs of relevant stakeholders in a bottom-up manner across the MAG; orientate the work of the MAG for organizing the main sessions at the IGF annual meeting;
- Facilitate and support the MAG Evaluation Process of Workshops;
- Facilitate the MAG consultative process on making improvements of the IGF, as indicated in the report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Internet Governance Forum of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, which the General Assembly took note of in its resolution 68/198 of 20 December 2013; and ensure that the IGF continues to show progress on working modalities and the participation of relevant stakeholders from developing countries;
- Set the agenda for all MAG-related activities in a bottom-up manner by taking into accounts the inputs received from the MAG, supported by the IGF Secretariat;
- Chair all MAG online and in-person meetings and facilitate the MAG online discussions, respecting the IGF Code of Conduct, fostering the inclusive engagement of MAG members;
- Lead the IGF Open Consultations process supported by the IGF Secretariat;
- Facilitate among MAG members to support all the IGF intersessional work, including Best Practice Forums, Dynamic Coalitions and any other project that falls under the IGF’s intersessional work;
- Engage National, Regional and Youth (NRIs) supported by the IGF Secretariat;
- Review all MAG-related work activities and reports before disseminating to the MAG for the purpose of ensuring that all inputs from the MAG are reflected correctly.
II. Other supporting responsibilities to the IGF
- Engage in outreach communication to the wider community and to bring other networks related to Internet governance into the MAG discussions and planning.
- Promote the work of the IGF amongst all stakeholders, to foster multistakeholder participation and collaboration at the annual IGF meetings and intersessional work.
III. Guiding and representational procedures
The MAG Chairperson has a representative role of MAG in engaging with external stakeholders, with full disclosure of nature and intent of engagement, and declaration of conflicts of interest, if any. Prior to informing the MAG about potential representation, the Chairperson will go through formal procedure of informing the IGF Secretariat about this request, that will be submitted to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for final review and approval.
IV. Appointments and Duration of Terms
The Chairperson of the MAG is appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General for a term of one year. This term may be subject for renewal.
V. Compensation
The MAG Chairperson shall not receive any honorarium, fee or other remuneration from the United Nations. However, the Chair is eligible to receive funding to cover travel and daily subsistence costs following UN rules and guidelines. This include his/her participation in face-to-face MAG meetings and/or the annual IGF meetings. Review of funding to attend external meetings is subject to financial approval.
1 More information about the IGF can be found on its website: https://www.intgovforum.org
2 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) Terms of Reference available at: https://www.intgovforum.org/content/mag-terms-of-reference