At the official opening ceremony of the 19th UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024), which is currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, speakers called for taking collective action and strengthening cooperation between governments, the private sector and civil society. The forum’s motto is “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future.” The forum brought together more than 9,000 participants from 175 countries, including a Russian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Andrei Zarenin. The Russian delegation also includes experts from the Coordination Center for TLDs .RU/.РФ.
This year, the forum is held shortly after the adoption of the Global Digital Compact and ahead of WSIS+20: a key process to set new goals for the future of digital development and governance. It will feature over 250 thematic sessions, roundtable discussions, and workshops to discuss pressing issues of global digital governance.
Leading global experts, including representatives from the UN and UNESCO, emphasized that internet governance needs a multilateral approach. Initiatives were put forward to develop transparent and ethical AI systems, ensure equal access to technology, combat the digital divide and support sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to protecting human rights in the digital space, promoting privacy as a public good and strengthening global cooperation to create an inclusive and sustainable digital future.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the “enormous potential” of digital technologies to accelerate human progress in his video message, but added that “unlocking this potential for all people requires guardrails, and a collaborative approach to governance.” He also said that the work and voice of IGF will be “critical” as the world implements the Global Digital Compact.
Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said that IGF 2024 “offers a global platform to promote international digital cooperation in the era of AI.” He encouraged stakeholders to deeply engage in the Forum in Riyadh to help “shape innovative Internet governance and support a prosperous and sustainable digital future for the benefit of humanity”.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, and other leaders and industry experts from across the globe and from various organizations.
Video from the opening ceremony can be found at the UN website.
The forum will run through December 19. Follow our updates!
