The following are the outputs of the captioning taken during an IGF intervention. Although it is largely accurate, in some cases it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
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>> MODERATOR: The collaboration for southern eastern Africa based in Uganda and working on a range of issues around the intersectional technology and governance and human rights.
Today we bringing to notable speakers across regions to discuss data governance.
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>> MODERATOR: Hi, hi. Good afternoon audience. It is my pleasure to moderate this session today. And I will begin by introducing myself. My name is Wakabi, and I am the Executive Director of CIPESA, which is the Collaboration on International policy for eastern and southern Africa. Working on issues of intersectional technology, human rights and governance and labour. Today we bring together notable speakers from across various regions to discuss data governance in line with IGF subtheme of building operations. The subtheme is leaders and Civil Society leaders from eastern Africa and the eastern partnership and the Balkans to leverage common knowledge. I am from east Africa myself among those regions. So there's also insights that will come out of there.
On this note, to kick us off I would like to invite our host who is the Minister of Information from Gambia to share his opening remarks. Dr. Ismaila Ceesay. Please take the floor.
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: Thank you for that discussion. Leads, and delegates and ladies and gentlemen of the jury. It is a great honour to being to for this very important discussion on advancing data governance across regions as we collectively seek pathways towards trusted, inclusive and inoperable data governance across borders.
In an increasing developing world, it's critical of development and innovation and rights. For Gambia, harnessing data is key to driving economic growth and improving delivery and protecting the dignity and rights of our people.
The government is embracing the digital age with a mission and purpose. We recognize the digital transformation is not just a matter of technology call advancement. For us it is inclusive growth, innovation and good governance. The national broadband policy or digital initiatives and eco platforms are all part of the enhancement for the political divide and empower citizens and modernise the economy.
We have the rights of putting governments for the development agenda.
We are currently operating the national agenda and privacy policy, grown in principals of accountability and transparency and human rights. Steps are underway to establish an independent authority which would oversee the enforcement of data governance and principals and build trust with citizens and businesses and general partners.
We are also committed to finishing the development of the national governance policy supported by the African and European Union. The government is actively engaging in digital frameworks in the African Union including alignment with the EU data policy framework. We recognize operability and data harmonisation and mutual trust sense for cross-border flows in Africa and beyond. We believe effective crossborder data governance can unlock tremendous trade and strengthening immigration across borders.
We believe that the international corporation must be fair and inclusive and well oriented. We are fully aware that no country can do this alone. Advancing data governance across borders requires trust, coordination and shared values.
As countries in the Global South we seek participation in shaping global rules and emphasize increase support and infrastructure investments and modernise data globally that reflect all realities. The government stands ready to work with partners on the couldn't it meant and globally to build a governance data system that is secure. Rights respecting and fit for the digital age. Those together building borders and building trust in the digital world. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you, sir, for outlining Gambia's efforts in the eastern Africa agenda and for the eastern operative data governance. As Dr. Ceesay has touched on the domestic as well across border assistant governance is effectively crucial.
So-so explore developments and different experiences from different regions we will hear from our panelists and dive deeper into the varying context that can enable us to be able to accelerate responsibility and rights based data governance globally.
We will therefore introduce our panelists today, beginning with the next to Dr. Ceesay, Milan Marinovic, who was appointed commissioner for access to public information of importance and personal protection of Serbia in 2019. Previously Mr. Marinovic served as a judge in different courts. He has authored various publications and participated in various working groups drafting and amending legislation in Serbia.
And next to him we have Dr. Olga Kyryliuk leading SEEDIG across the region she is from Internet Governance over 20 years in the intersection of technology, policy and human rights. And to my left, we have Meri Sheroyan the co-founder of Digital Armenia through inclusive operators. As an I.T. expert she specialises in transformation in the public sector and public administration systems, and she has extensive experience working within government extensions as well as with the development institutions.
To the extreme left we have Tattugal Mambetalieva, with the civil initiatives on internet policy, which is an initiative of the global governance created from the UN.
We also have a participant online who has not been able to join us and that is Folake Olagunju from the Digital Economy and post ECOWAS Commission, where she leads the directorate. We will now get a state of governance in Gambia and Serbia. We will start with Dr. Ceesay first.
As Gambia continues to develop the infrastructure and data policies, where are the country's challenges in developing and implementing effective national data governance frameworks and how they align with the broader strategies of the African Union and ECOWAS.
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: Thank you so much, again, Mr. Wakabi. Capacity building. Now as the country is advancing the government of the national data governance framework, to support the government, decision making and service deliver Ricker this initiative is supported by ECOWAS and has workshops led by the communication of Gambia.
Our focus is on legal and legal reforms. For example we are digital protection and privacy legs which is currently in parliament. This is building on the national data protection and privacy policy of 2019. The Gambia affiliated privacy and policy bill 2023 which is currently before the national assembly. It covers the framework with subject rights and control and process the responsibilities and transfer the data flows and safeguards and he enforcement mechanisms and sanctions.
Under these reforms, we also have a statistical system reform. This is a national strategy for the development of statistics. The 2025 Act is being advised. Across the national statistical system. This aligns with the national development plan 2023 to 2027. In 2063 the strategy and the UN STGs. And also the national data policy reforms which support from INZ. The national policy has been validated and spending on the mission. It aims to validate governance across sectors and the foundation for secure, inclusive and broad space use.
It's the whole of government approach. The minister responsible for the digital economy is spreading across the sector to ensure data governance is admitted across industries and departments and agencies. Once adopted the policy with data protection and cybersecurity, data and access to information. Prime balancing flow of expression with mitigation of online harms for information and misinformation.
Our fourth priority is aligning with developmental goals about the national data policy stone of the transformation agenda. Aligning with the digital transformation strategy 2024 to 2028. It must be 2024 and to 2027. It supports UNDP by promoting available and accessibility to available to drive innovation and transparency and inclusive development.
Our challenges, particularly the persistent ones, one is capacity gaps. Many trace departments and agencies allow the technical capabilities to monitor it effectively. A second challenge is fragmentation. The national economy system remained siloed for collection, storage and sharing.
Another facing the digital divide, inequities and digital access and equity particularly on the populations this effects governance and family. Alliance with the eco strategies. The government forms are closely aligned with African Union framework which emphasizes sovereignty and across data flows and inconclusive data qualities.
The government is also actively engaged in the ECOWAS act on data protection which is expected to be endorsed by heads of state in the summit. This enforces the government's commission to digital harmonisation and digital trust.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. That's a handful of measures implemented to enhance data challenges in spite of the challenges and the challenges are across regions. But I have a followup question. Gambia launched a five-year plan to strengthen good governance. Its pillars include to improve transparency and access to information to boost public participation and strengthen institutional capacity and good governance. Could you please describe to us what is the rule of information that you lead in building public trust around that governance?
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: While the Minister of digital economy leads on the technical aspects the Minister of application which I lead, plays a critical road on public trust and civic engagement. One of the things we do, which is our mandate, is public awareness and digital literacy activities. The ministry is responsible for sensitizing citizens on their data rights. The value of open data and the safeguards to protect personal information.
This includes campaigns to define data government apps and promote responsibility citizenship. Our at this times for transparency and access to information.
As a key pillar of the 2025-2029 plan, they are to disclose actively held data by reinforcing transparency and accountability in public institutions.
And also media engagement and framing by collaborating with public and private media. The ministry also shapes inclusive narratives that build confidence in narrative reforms. Content information and misinformation and to promote calm and establish periods of transition.
And finally inclusion. The ministry serves a bridge within government, Civil Society and the government. Facilitating to ensure data policies reflect citizen concerns and uphold democratic values.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. We will hear now from commissioner Marinovic of Serbia, which has progress in developing the governance framework with the special emphasis on the protection of personal data. Commissioner what lately are the challenges of balancing between digital and data systems with the protection of fundamental rights?
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Thank you, Mr. Wakabi. Greetings from Serbia to everyone. First of all, I want to thank GIZ for the invitation to participate in such an important event.
Also with GIZ support we plan to raise capacities of policy makers and I.T. experts in the field of data privacy in Serbia. In the early beginning let me share with you one of my experiences. Every time I fin myself at such large and an important event, dedicated to digitisation and the use of modern technologies, I, as someone who deals with the protection of personal data, feel like a cat at a dog's exhibition.
It is an extraordinary pleasure and honour, but also my responsibility to be with you today at this fantastic forum. Protection of person data as well as the right to privacy in general is one of the most fundamental human rights in today's era of rapid development of modern technologies, widespread digitation and enormous use of Artificial Intelligence.
That is why it is extremely difficult to find the appropriate balance between digital and data systems and the protection of personal data. Difficult, but not impossible. What is most important in creating that balance. Parallel of both sides of the same story. This means that the accelerated development of digitisation in all areas of life must be accompanied by the development of personal data protection systems.
Digitisation in general and Artificial Intelligence in particular, condition exist without data processing, especially personal data. They feed and depends of data. The processing of data is certainly necessary and useful. And it will be more and more in the future. But as the processing of personal data grows so must grow the protection of this data. Just as day cannot exist without night, summer without winter, so the processing of data cannot exist without its protection.
There is a strong link between the processing and protection of personal data. This implies many things of which I will mention only those which in my opinion are the most important.
The first, strengthening the system and the measures for the protection of personal data. The second, strengthening data protection north around the world. Third, strengthening cooperation and globalization between data protection authorities from all over the world. Fourth, establishing and strengthening the communication and cooperation of the regulatory bodies with the most important controllers and processors of personal data, such as big tech companies and social networks. And fifth, last but not least, raising the level of awareness of citizens about importance of personal data protection.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much, commissioner. I think all the PAs in the universe are always grappling with the best ways to balance those elements. And you said balanced both is the key. But you also mentioned the issue of the deeper cooperation between the DPAs in different countries. In your role where you sit, what is -- what kind of crossborder is happening between data protection authorities?
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Speaking of crossborder and interregional data protection of authorities, I would like to take this unique opportunity to introduce to you initiative that I promoted in Venice. My idea is to form an association of DPAs, named EADPA. E association of DPA, from all over the world. On global level in online format. I call this future association EADPA, and the idea is that all regulators, regardless of their status in the country they are from have the opportunity to exchange practices in the field of personal data protection, to exchange their experience, provide mutual legal assistance and solve common problems in simple, easy and efficient way on bilateral and multilateral level.
As a first step in the realisation of this idea, I plan next week to send to all DPAs in the world email in which I will explain the idea of creating an association and ask them, did they support this idea? And if they would like to be members of the future association. Depending on the answer, the activities we will undertake will also depend.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Great initiative. We hope to be also associating -- partnering and associating with other actors for that, and we will not feel like cats and dogs quicks.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: So thank you, speakers for those initiatives for the operative and exclusive data governance. With many lessons learns and a couple of common challenges.
I would now like to invite our regional experts to contribute in the discuss by bringing their experience from West Africa and Southeastern Europe. We will begin with Folake Olagunju who is online but introduced in the region foe lack, there's a lack of reliable data, and this can hamper evidence based policy necessary for well-founded decision making. How is the economy community from West Africa contributing and facilitating cross-border data flow and what lessons can be shared with other regional blocks that will follow suit?
>> FOLAKE OLAGUNJU: Thank you so much for giving me the floor. I must apologize for the noise. I'm at a conference here. So very noisy here. Very valid point we all know that data is something we all struggle with. It's not just a West African issue. But we make sure all the policy making is anchored based on an evidence-based approach. How do we do this? We pry try to prioritize the data we get and ensure there's inclusive engagement. We always ensure that all the member states are right with us from the very beginning all the way to the ended.
It was interesting that the minister from Gambia spoke about the supplementary act on data protection within West Africa. That was just revised and we are trying to ensure it was adopted. That process went through from member phase all the way through to the council of ministers. But before we did that, we actually made sure we did studies with different stakeholder groups across west Africa. So you have the Civil Society and the private sector. Every voice matters. Because when you talk about data, it involves every single person. So it's not just about a whole of government. I understand why Gambia is in the whole of government. For us at a regional perspective we are looking at whole society. Because this is absolutely violating.
Now one of the thing we have done with the revision of the supplementary act with the ECOWAS is to look at how we can support cross-data flow and this is international and across borders. Because this is about harmonisation at the regional level but not harmonisation. So yes we need to harmonise because we are a regional block. We have similarities. But then it needs to be homogeneous to a certain extent so it's tailored to the different nuances of it's membered countries.
Stakeholder consultation remains absolutely key, and it's at the cornerstone of everything we do at the ECOWAS Commission. We need tone sure that whatever we do is data driven. Decisions need to have inclusive research. We need tone sure we have Academia. We need tone sure simple society for accountability. We need to ensure private sector. Because they bring the money to the table. We need governments. Because they are the ones that would operatise whatever it is that we do at the regional level.
We are also trying to ensure that what we do aligns with the continental frameworks that we have. The minister spoke about the -- not just the convention but the ADPF. We looking at continental frameworks as well. We are not working in silos. We ensure that what we do is actually of value to our member states. But also puts them in a right position to be able to actually interaction with other regions, like Milan said and globally across.
We are looking to align all of our standards as well. Because this is absolutely very, very important. So that's what we are doing at the moment in terms of harmonisation, ensuring that we have evidence -- frameworks that are backed up with evidence. Like was said again, data not easy to find. But I think if you are able to include people across -- what is the word I'm looking for, a plethora of people in the process, will you actually see at the end of the day you get the buy-in and hopefully the personalisation becomes adopted. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. And as a followup how does it support the conditions for data governance in the region and what stakeholders does it take to effectively implement these strategies?
>> FOLAKE OLAGUNJU: That's an interesting question. So one of the things we are looking to do is have a regional instrument in place that will talk about open data. Why do we need open data? We are trying to make sure all the frameworks put if place at a regional level will do three things, create transparency and promote operability because that is key. And last but not least is responsible data sharing. So data is only as good as who has it and who is willing to share it and how it's used.
So doing that at the regional level, and also looking at certain data priorities in the digital sector to development strategy that we've got. And this is over five years. What we are trying to do is ensure that we can define sensitive and nonsense active data categories for our membered countries.
What we find is when you ask someone to share data, they are very reluctant because they don't know which data needs to be sovereign and which data can be shared. And I think if we are able to actually elaborate a little bit more on this, this will actually help.
Also we are looking at technical and infrastructural standards. I know the honourable minister from Gambia mentioned connectivity.
That is something we are also looking at because without connectivity how do you even begin to share data or even have the conversations that would allow you to -- you know get data and use data.
We are looking at how we can help membered countries transform from a more -- I don't want to say analog government to a more interactive government. So we are looking at -- a number of countries have information portals. So we are trying to see how we can elevate the portals so they become more interactive for the membered countries, and it will actually bring more data, and it will actually encourage innovation. Because if you have data you can also innovate.
Like I said, everyone, it has to be across -- what is the word I'm looking for, multistakeholder with the IGF, multistakeholder motivation. So we need private sector. They are the big guns. They will actually help us build the data driven solutions. We need governments and ICT regulators to actually adapt and adopt these regulations that we are putting in place and make sure they are domesticated at the national level.
We need Academia. They are the ones that will tell us what we are looking at two or three years from now. Last but not least we need our partners. We can't do it without them. It's not always about reinventing the wheel. Can you take what has been done in a different region and bring it here and bring it to the nuances of West Africa. And I want to say we definitely cannot do it without the citizens.
If the citizens don't use data. If the citizens don't understand the need for data, or the citizens don't actually use any of the thing we put in place, it's purposeless. So we need to put the citizens on board. They need to be recognized and it needs to be inclusive and hopefully we can have a trusted digital ecosystem.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much from Folake from West Africa. Let's move on. Olga, broader ecosystems with broader regional dynamics, yeah. How would you describe the current state of data governance in the region. What are the most probable dynamics in the region.
>> OLGA KYRYLIUK: Thank you for the question. When describing my region I like to describe western Europe in the region and what makes the region unique is mine is divided in the countries operated in the regulatory framework such as GDPR for the creation and the countries still in the process of securing full institutional and legal compliance such as Macedonia.
In regulatory divide has real consequences, especially when it comes to crossborder trust and data sharing.
While the new member states are benefiting from structured oversight and shared enforcement mechanisms for the neighbouring countries, even those who's laws mirror the use standards, it is often still a challenge because often they are still considered as third countries in terms of data protection guarantees and safeguards. And this -- that itself introduces friction into the data knows, especially when it comes to public health, education and digital services where a corporation is supposed to be seamless and smooth.
As can you see the region is caught in between fragmentation and conventions. Fragmentation still defines the legal space and institutional capacity and the technical infrastructure. But there is also a growing convergence of ambition. We know that there are all countries, almost all countries in the region who are having either the EU regression or trying to go into the global digital markets and this is why they are trying to take advantage of the European Union and standardise and harmonise the laws and enforcement practices in this field, data protection and data governance with the European Union model.
This moment also presents both a challenges and opportunities for our region now. When we talk about the challenge, in usually comes it a bridge in the digital legal divide, which is their corporation, so it's really important to ensure that the political frameworks talk to each other, and there are no major discrepancies. But there is also the opportunity which lies in building the shared regional trust frameworks which will go beyond the simple compliance mechanisms.
And I think so far our region is doing quite a good job in trying to adopt the legal frameworks which are equivalent to the best -- safeguarding the practices in terms of data governance and data protection.
There is, of course, quite a long way to go for some countries compared to others because as I said the region is not uniform but this is also what is making the region unique and an interesting example for sharing the practices and the case studies with other regions in the world.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. I hear a couple of similarities from your region in southeastern Europe and West Africa and issues around mechanisms and responsibility data. But we are at the IGF, so we cannot ask about the role of the IGF. Where you sit you are in the ideal setting. How is it contributing harmonizing dad governance frameworks, have they been in the region that could establish a framework for others?
>> OLGA KYRYLIUK: I believe the IGF in particular have a role to play in this process. First of all we are contributing by identified the shared priorities across the region now. We are connecting the in-country stakeholders from across the region and we bring them all to the same room and facilitate the dialogue between the stakeholders.
And as a next step we help improve trust between counterparts from neighbouring countries and help them improve coordinating with each other beyond the borders of their nationed states. So of course as any IGF initiative is not the space that can create the loss, but we are definitely the space that can create the opportunity where the better corporation can be shaped and the new initiatives with some practical value can take the beginning.
I would also say for fragmented regions like ours, usually creating the -- the very fact of creating the habit of corporation is an important first step to a trusted corporation throughout the -- cooperation throughout the years and this is what nations like SEEDIG are doing and the practice in the region of shaping the convergence between different countries, and I think this is also important to have this culture of different stakeholders talking to each other.
Of course during the SEEDIG meetings happening on an annual basis, we have -- particularly have the sessions which are touching from different perspectives, the issues of data governance and the data protection, which -- and we usually get a lot of proposals on these specific topics which means this is something that resonates with the stakeholders in the region, which is truly important to them.
And also for the upcoming meeting this year in October, that we will be hosting in Athens we also have been partnering with the council of Europe and we will be hosting a preevent to the main meeting gathering the represents of the media and regulatory authorities from western Balkans, which is also a good example to start with some more trusted conversation why they feel more comfortable to share the challenges and experience on the databases. But then of course they will join the main meeting and will talk to other stakeholders and the panel will host it so this can truly shift to the multistakeholder conversation.
So I would say this is probably not the solution for everything having the space like IGF, but this is obviously a good beginning where good initiatives could start.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you for sharing this input. Very insightful challenges from western Africa and southeastern Europe. Illustrates the purpose of the work that regional organisations are doing facile sating governance among states. We have looked at national and regional perspectives of data governance and would like to welcome perspective on the issue. We will begin with Tattugal, Kyrgysztan. How has the policies developed over the years and what opportunities and challenges do they have while engaging in data processes?
>> TATTUGAL MAMBETALIEVA: Thank you. At the regional level, Kyrgysztan has exchange in bodies. The approach is part of Kyrgysztan's digital code which sets a standard for data handling on regulatory data collection. Equity and integrity to build a better digital environment.
Kyrgysztan doesn't use centralization and localisation of data. Centralization of data has risks for data protection. And localisation creates administrational problem for business. These additional efforts for neighbouring countries like Kazakhstan and (?) where data centralization and localisation of data is used. Therefore the challenges for Civil Society risks on data protection and ethical use still remains.
>> MODERATOR: Very well. Thank you for that. The followup, what opportunities do you see for the bridge regional and global data governance reference?
>> TATTUGAL MAMBETALIEVA: For central Asian countries, central Asian country, economically interdependent, making data exchange crucial for interaction.
However, crossborder data exchange raises concerns about ensuring adequate data security. Civil Society must monitor the regimen of data exchange to countries and guarantee transparency, accountability and inclusivity.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much I will now move to Meri quickly. Armenia is navigating information. Coming from the nongovernment sector, why is it important to bring voices into the different processes and what role are they playing today in advancing robust data frameworks?
>> MERI SHEROYAN: Thank you very much for the question. And are you completely right. Armenia is going towards digital transformation and makes knowledgeable progress in recent years by launching a governance platforms, digitising public services, initiating important data governance projects.
And currently we are currently work on building both legal and technical frameworks that needed to support these transformations.
And these frameworks interdefine how public information is accessed to set the standards for data collection and as well as to regulate the use and the management of databases.
But from my perspective, I think that this effort not only depends on technological advancements or standards or ruse or protocols but also on inclusive and participatory governance.
That's why I think that it segues into public policies are essential. To build trust into public institution it needs the insights and oversights of actors that actually serves as a bridge between citizens and public institutions.
And civic tech organisations such as nonprofits, such as watchdog groups or data advocates or digital rights defenders play a crucial role in the process. And I think our involvement does not only include just monitoring digital projects but also to flag the ethical concerns -- to identify the data misuse or to address barriers of the access of data.
And in areas like practically procurement in budget or transparency that Armenia has. These are the transparency tools that have shown the greatest impact when they are complimented by the engagement and oversight of the public.
I can say just for our organisational perspective and experience, we are just not doing the monitoring are but we go beyond simply validating impact. We do outreach project. We do education for citizens so they can understand how their data is used, why digital systems matter and how government platforms can improve public services for everyone.
So to ensure the civil voices are not just contributors but essential partners to build digital systems that are ethical that, are inclusive and also serves for the public.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. Could we briefly also maybe look at some of the capacities that organisations work with in leveraging data for secure initiatives?
>> MERI SHEROYAN: First worked in the public organisation and now serving in the Civil Society. I see maybe the issues are more crystal clear. And maybe I can state one issue that is important, has the importance. I think like a clear data strategy, maybe the main challenge. And I think without a unified region of a road map on how data supports the missions, the effort somehow becomes fragmented in public institutions.
So the weak data governance, I think often results to unclear ownership and inconsistent controls. As we run out of tile for this question.
>> MODERATOR: We have time. Thanks, everybody. A lot of insights. But before we go to the public to give us some comments and questions, I would like each participant to use just 1 minute to give something actionable. Considering the many common challenges that we discussed, what practical tips can your regions take in the next 12 months to strengthen interregional and international cooperation on data governance, especially around areas like standard setting and data operability and insight mechanisms. We will take this -- I think the similar way we went. Beginning with the minister, and then the commissioner and then Olga.
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: Thank you very much. Think one of the practical steps we consider is establishing a continent governance framework. So that we can finalise and promote adoption of the EU data policy framework across all member states. This will create a shared baseline for data protection, cross-border flows but also interoperability across the continent.
Another thing we can consider is enhance the data protection laws across the continent so we can align with continental standards like the (?) convention and the -- also internationally with the GDPR style protection. This will reduce coordination and establish coordination and trust in other systems.
And another thing to consider is global settings to increase African protect so IEEE and for example the ITU and others. This lesson sure Africa's from and realities are reflected in global data standards and digital frameworks. And perhaps we can consider digital oversight and mechanisms to create data governance. This will help oversee policy compliance, technical cooperation and investigations and possibility of breeches but also encourage accountability with digital learning. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you, minister. Commissioner.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Thank you. In the next few months, in order to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the field of data governance in our region, or the best in Balkans we plan to hold the multilateral and bilateral meetings with the DPAs from the region and development representatives from the executive authorities and I.T. companies and other companies.
It's a good example of multilateral meetings, I can tell that existing initiative 2017 from 2017 on initiative of Slovenia, which gathers all DPAs from former Yugoslavia.
And it is a very interesting definition because we share two member states of EU, Slovenia and Croatia. And for which are not members of EU, as Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia and Serbia. But from these four, Serbia and the recently Bosnia-Herzegovina there's a lot of personal data protection which is complied with the GDPR and EU. Montenegro and Macedonia is not yet. So it is one particular meeting. And second is the meeting of data protection authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia on our initiative, how to solve the problem, which are with Meta and (?) according of changes privacy policy to use personal data for strengthening Artificial Intelligence.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. Olga.
>> OLGA KYRYLIUK: I think my job is now much easier responding to this question after commissioner, because I don't actually need to reinvent the wheel. I would just align with the idea of having interregional dialogue on crossborder data sharing between data protection authorities. And what I can offer from my side, as long as we are going to host the meeting in okay which is still pretty much time until that moment, I can suggest to have some side meeting or another session with the DPAs during the SEEDIG meeting so we can also bring this conversation to the regional community and this will be another step in developing this idea and making sure what we have mentioned over here is not just staying at the level of ideas. But we actually take the followup action on what we are discussing here.
And I also think that one of the other things that could be done is some kind of mapping of the regulatory bottlenecks in the crossborder data sharing. This can show us what are still the challenges in terms of regulatory frameworks and infrastructure and interoperability. And from there different DPAs in different regions could take those findings and recommendations to further -- to ensure further alignment through bilateral and multilateral meetings.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. Old Folake.
>> FOLAKE OLAGUNJU: Thank you very much.
I'm going to by give back off the minister's world. It will move to Senegal and Syria. Now I will assume those three countries and done all the harmonisation the honourable minister was talking about. What I would like to see is a setup up of a controlled test environment where we can actually get all of these member states, the public agencies of member states to actually trial an interoperability platform. Now if we are able to do this for certain sector such as health, education and identity systems and it works, we will be able to then take those lessons and scale up to a regional event. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Excellent. Now --
>> TATTUGAL MAMBETALIEVA: Okay. First of all, I support all proposals. And currently all international platforms we are advising an initiative to create an international agreement for change among central Asian country, open for other count trois join. And this is because data is the new issues of access crucial, not only within a country but also at the regional level.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. And finally Meri.
>> MERI SHEROYAN: For arrest mean Yeah, I can say that the country uses international experience and incorporating many initiative. For instance interoperability like the Estonian mold. And I think many practical exercises should be done.
So it could be like piloting a small-scale data sharing initiatives to understand whether the crossborder public service delivery works or not. And it could be in different areas and starting with a consular or migration or other environmental areas so this leads to work in shared areas.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you, panel for those great ideas on joint initiatives, on what is relevant in the future. I would like now to invite any comments or questions, and whoever has any question or comment, please, there is a mic over there. Please get there and shoot your question or comment. We have video. Go ahead and ask. You may mention your name and where you come if you want. But for the question you may also direction a question to then.
>> QUESTION: Thank you, all. And very excellent panelists. And all the points actually you raised is -- I mean to the critical in the points of data governance, crossborder governance. So there's one new protocol in the framework it's called solid. And social link to data actually can help to address -- can help address all the issues. And related to the crossborder governance.
So currently, because all the panelists actually from -- you know the emerging countries. Emerges countries currently also need the language for supported by large language models and all the culture can be preserved if the datasets can be owned by one country but also can be crossborder and with a protocol and lingo -- so lingo is working on the whole solution and can address the issues that you raised. And my question is -- and the proposed advantage by the founding father of the world wide web called (?) Lee and he joined IGF three times.
So I would like to know the -- actually the deployment, awareness of your countries, and to the new protocol of our next generation web. And this protocol was invented to take care of the data control and the data ownership and data sovereignty and crossborder uses.
And I'm not sure whether your nation, in your country or region have adopted or have awareness of solving the protocol. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. The question we have received, anybody is welcome to respond to it. We are speaking about -- not own the element of the awareness of the protocol, but what kind of initiatives are underway in order to promote data ownership but also encourage cross data flows. Who is willing to give us a comment. Yes, commissioner.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: As I know, Serbia didn't adopt that protocol yet. But when I heard how good is the protocol for data protection, I'm sure that Serbia will adopt it soon. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Excellent. Other responses?
>> MERI SHEROYAN: Maybe I can add something. I think Armenia is a country with localised biometric data such as how to record and for Armenian cases I know government is working on distinguished but sensitive data and less sensitive data. And I think that having different kind of protocols or standards are internationally recognized could also impact on the crossborder data sharing. But first of all, for countries that are in the process of implementation and adoption of data governance frameworks, first of all to distinguish between sensitive and less sensitivity. And then move forward on adapts international standardisation. And I am hopeful that countries like Armenia that are locally emerged will step forward to this initiative to make it possible to crossborder public service delivery across the country and out of the country.
>> QUESTION: Singaporian governance forum. So I'm the co-founder for SG IGF. And SG IGF likes to work with other countries and the representatives and to help and promote and sore the protocol in a way to help -- you know actually protect the language and the data and the culture for all the emerging countries. Okay. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much for your information. We know where are you coming from. And I think one of us will be willing to reach out to you. The minister --
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: I think the issue with language is a bit application because Africa has six languages. For us, just like Serbia, 1.5 million people and 12 different lands which are totally different. So how we really harmonise this with the language, with 2,000 languages it's difficult. Yes, because of the colonial history, we are French-Africa and Spanish Africa and English-Africa that we can consider using those languages but not our indigenous languages.
>> QUESTION: Yes, lingo is actually designed for the indigenous languages. Because you know AI becomes popular, becomes a commodity, and everyone currently in emerging countries almost all use English as a language and to prompt and to gather the Generative AI result. And gradually, the indigenous language will be forgotten, especially the culture builds all the languages.
So for larger countries if they want to support indigenous languages and they are going to collect the data, in this centralised way, the data will be owned by the centralized company. And after they fine-tune the large language model, the data will be continuously collected to the larger companies.
So the data will run out of your countries. And your people and the countries don't own the data. This is called a digital colonization. So the new protocol and the lingo is helping this kind of a digital colonization.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much for that clarification. Data colonization and data sovereignty are key issues in our conversation from where we come from. So it's good that something is addressing that. We will reach out to you but we do have another comment. Thank you, sir.
>> QUESTION: Hi, good afternoon. I think my question might be a little premature looking at the landscape in our country, but I will go ahead and ask any way. Where there is no IGF, no local IOS, where do you suggest this conversation starts in terms of thinking about regulations and guidance and protocol for crossborder data protection? Should it start with the regulator? For the sector? Should it be emanating from Civil Society? Suggestions, I'm open to hear. Some quick guidelines in the 2 seconds you probably have.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you. Would you mind telling us where you are from.
>> The Bahamas.
>> MODERATOR: Lucky. But very IGF friendly. So you know. We will begin with Olga. She has a response.
>> OLGA KYRYLIUK: I it's not really the problem that you don't have yet an educated space. Because the dialogue asking created just from the desire to have the conversation.
But often you can have a much more open and trusted dialogue once you talk to stakeholders who are actually having the decision making and policy making power. Sometimes even having the decision making power. But sometimes they might not have the full awareness. Or may not be that much in full capacity to execute and enforce. And sometimes just some small support and push from outside might be the beginning of -- over good, positive change inside the country.
So I would if you want something specifically from the DPA, go to DPA. If you want from someone else, go to them. Maybe start from bilateral meetings and once they feel more comfortable to talk to other stakeholders then can you extend this dialogue.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Maybe me.
>> MODERATOR: Yes, please.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: Only a few word, it must be multilateral, not bilateral. So when I said multilateral, it means data protection authorities, stakeholders, executive bodies, all, and Civil Society.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you very much. We have another question. Please go ahead.
>> QUESTION: Thank you. Good afternoon. I'm Joseph from the Wiki media foundation. I was very interesting in the Serbian commissioner's comment about privacy as a human right, which of course we completely agree that it is. But of course there are many other human rights, the right to freedom of information and expression. And I would like to ask the entire panel very broadly how through this process of harmonizing regional data protection laws and implementing such new laws how we can ensure that all human rights are respected throughout this process, and the right to private privacy does not come at the expense of any other potential right.
>> MODERATOR: Thanks for that question.
What we will do is follow up with another related question. Namely. In many countries the diversity of teams and the discussion of maturity is different. How can we move also between -- towards mutual recognition of data protection frameworks without undermining national sovereignty. I would like to reflect on that for 1 minute even as we all answer the question from the participants from Wikipedia.
And everyone will have 1:30. Tie in your last thoughts as Well, please. We will go -- this time let's start from my left. And move on.
>> MERI SHEROYAN: I can start am I think there is a broad line between protecting digital rights and the expression of freedom of information. And sometimes governance to deal with that, not to ban the freedom of information while also considering how to protect them and how to protect their rights in internet. Because in recent worlds the internet gives us a mess of information which can lead to fake news which can lead to disinformation. And for the government it's important to underline this line and protect the rights but also not to violent the freedom of information.
And concerning the question, I think there should be a formal cooperation channels between the different countries for data protection agencies in different countries. So that they can set a clear protocols for all incident responses or enforcement coordination, et cetera. So my perspective is this formal cooperation channels could lead not national sovereignty and to implement data protection frameworks.
>> MODERATOR: Thanks, Meri. Tattugal the same for you.
>> TATTUGAL MAMBETALIEVA: Continue our previous discussion about implementation and governance approaches between countries are crucial. We need to create an environment of trust and organise a transparent exchange, making it clear who is using the data and for what purpose, I think.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much. We will have Olga and then the commissioner.
>> OLGA KYRYLIUK: So as a lawyer, I don't see the mutual recognition of data protection frameworks as a threat to national sovereignty. But it's rather an issue of legal interoperability. So we often don't need to create the identical law, but what we really need is to create the trust equivalences and create the trust which is crossborder trust. So whenever the data is shared, there are also some safeguards in place. And responsibility which comes for the mishandling the data.
But also I would say that it's important to ensure that there is transparent oversight and independent enforcement whenever it comes to handling the personal data. So once that is in place, it's just a matter of dialogue and trust between the borders and between the nationed states.
>> MODERATOR: Thanks, Olga.
>> MILAN MARINOVIC: We speak about the reality and data protection authority. It is possible, because any law which is based is a law in Serbia. On the GDPR and perspective, the perceptions of the principals. So if national security is in question, you have an exceptions of an ordinary data protection authority.
We have two models of data protection authorities. Ordinary and especially -- which made the bodies in that situation, like is organised crime, national security, et cetera. And according to the question of the Wikipedia, I must say -- I said to -- something, existing states in Europe and in the world, which have two in one system. Two bodies, which protect two rights, two human rights.
A personal data protection and free access to information of public importance. It is a suggestion in Serbia.
So I think it is a good situation. Because you can measure in any particular case what is stronger. Personal data protection or a right to know of the public.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you for that.
We will go to Folake for 1 minute. And end with the minister.
>> FOLAKE OLAGUNJU:Thank you. We all believe building trust is for data. Sovereignty matters but it's also about the connection. So we need to make sure we get the right balance between protecting what is ours and what will allow us to grow. So I think those are my final words. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you so much and we will end with Ismaila.
>> DR. ISMAILA CEESAY: We have data cooperation and once we pass the data protection law we can match the two commissions so they can be able to fulfill that role of balancing each other like the commissioner from Serbia has said.
So one responsible for access to information but also oversight over data protection. And my final words would be three words would summarize today, harmonisation, harmonisation, harmonisation. We need to harmonize the legally frameworks and -- along with the convention, but also with the GDPR principals and Global Digital Compact. And final reply we need to create uniform standards for concept, privacy and crossborder flows and AI ethics. Thank you.
>> MODERATOR: Thank you, Dr. Ceesay and thank you commissioner miles an hour very much and Meri and Folake, Olga and Tattugal. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining.
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