The outcomes of the 15th Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) were summed up at the closing session. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the session by saying that the role of the internet had increased dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global network has become an international workplace and classroom and the main communication media for the whole of humanity. At the same time, connectivity has increased vulnerability to harms and abuses of many kinds, such as disinformation and the disclosure of personal data. This calls for rallying the efforts of the international community as a whole and for coordinating effective internet governance methods.
GSMA Director General Mats Granryd and UN Under-Secretary-General Vera Songwe spoke about digital inequality. They pointed out that about 4 billion people around the world have little access to digital connectivity, including because of the absence of mobile communication technologies in their countries. Vera Songwe called on international organizations to invest in the necessary infrastructure.
ICANN President and CEO Goran Marby focused on a different aspect of the problem. He said that many people have no access to the internet not only for the lack of infrastructure but also because they cannot find any content in their native language online. This is why it is so important to ensure the use of internationalized domain names (IDNs) and email addresses around the world. Goran Marby concluded that the internet must be global and local at the same time.
The statement made by Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia Maxim Parshin attracted broad interest. He said that the COVID-19 pandemic had catalyzed the development of communication services and digital instruments for business and education. However, it has also created new challenges.
“We believe it is important to draft a global pact that will set out a clear division of the roles and responsibilities of countries, society and technological companies, a common approach to the protection of security, rights and freedoms and personal data, as well as measures against disinformation,” the Russian delegate said. In his opinion, this would greatly enhance the role of the Forum, so that it can translate its decisions into concrete impact. Maxim Parshin added that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) could be a platform for coordinating this document.
