The 16th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was held on 10 December 2021 in Poland. At the conclusion of the conference, Ethiopia officially took over from Poland to host the 17th IGF in 2022. In her closing remark on the occasion, State Minister for Innovation and Technology Huria Ali said that the 17th forum will be hosted by Ethiopia next year to address the problems of internet and infrastructure in Africa. “If we want an inclusive and bright future, or a resilient one, we need digital technology as an enabler,” she said.
Digital technology has the ability to transform a society and also to help the world to rapidly recover from COVID 19. We are concluding this year’s forum while, connectivity and sustainable development are facing new growing challenge like corona virus and of course opportunity like a new shift to digital solutions to remain connected, as to the state minister.
She noted that, half people of the planet including women, elders and those living with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged have remained unconnected. This makes connectivity a pressing global issue and exceptionally critical for Africa. It has always been said connectivity has become a core enabler to economic development, job creation, poverty reduction. And most countries understand connectivity as a critical factor to achieve a knowledge-based economy.
“Our continent Africa is at a critical time where most of the population remains unconnected. We are in a time where the digital ecosystem has become more complex. We are also in a very critical time where policy makers and other stakeholders need to collaborate to address challenges and explore opportunities. It is obvious that the issue of power will remain a development challenge especially for our continent Africa,” Huria noted.
She called on the world community to keep working and providing frameworks that help Africa address challenges in connectivity and power. “I would like to take this opportunity to reassure Ethiopia’s commitment to organize a successful IGF 2022. And I request your solidarity to continue addressing the challenges in a sustainable way. I look forward to welcoming you all to Addis Ababa to IGF 2022.”
According to Huria, Ethiopia’s nomination as hosting nation of the forum emanates from its endeavor for technological advancement including various works for improvement of IT knowledge and country drafting legal frameworks. The national telecom privatization and internet service accessibility efforts are additional reasons to the nomination.
Hosting the forum will help Ethiopia to introduce and consolidate cooperation with new and existing international stakeholders, and share experience with regard to technological advancement, she stated. It is also important to attract tourism and enable the country earn foreign currency. Furthermore, the conference will help to promote the history, cultural and natural attractions of the country to global participants.
The preparation to host the conference reflects Ethiopia’s commitment for technological advancement at local, continental and international level. Therefore, the country will use the opportunity to find support for technology transfer in Africa through pointing out shortcomings and opportunities. In this regard, Ethiopia will identify root causes of limitations with regard to connectivity and power shortages and the way they can be resolved, according to Huria.
IGF serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both public and private sectors. At their annual meeting, delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices each other. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise.
The mandate of the IGF is to discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet. It also allows facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body. The IGF can interface with appropriate intergovernmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview.
It facilitates the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard makes full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities. It advises all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world. The forum also works on strengthening and enhancing the engagement of stakeholders in existing and future Internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing countries. It identifies emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations. It’s also working on capacity building for Internet governance in developing countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise and discusses inter alia issues.
As a platform for discussions, the IGF brings various stakeholders to the table to exchange information and share good practices. Over the years, it has identified a wide range of issues to be addressed by the international community and has shaped decisions taken throughout the world. The IGF does not adopt resolutions or create any binding treaties. Its importance lies in its ability to facilitate discourse between governments, intergovernmental organizations, private companies, the technical community and civil society organizations that deal with or are interested in Internet governance related public policy issues.
The IGF facilitates discussion on proposed regulatory frameworks, potential risks, global trends, as well as best and worst practices that have been adopted or are currently under discussion. Participants also examine the impact of treaties, recommendations and other documents adopted in various international venues within the Internet governance ecosystem.
The Forum informs and inspires decision makers to bring improvement in the area. It facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges. The IGF also gives stakeholders from developing countries the opportunity to engage in the debate on Internet governance and it contributes to capacity development, allowing these stakeholders to build knowledge and skills that will facilitate their participation in existing Internet governance institutions and arrangements. Ultimately, the involvement of all stakeholders, from developed as well as developing countries, is necessary for advancing dynamic public policies in Internet governance. Accordingly, Ethiopia will get numerous advantages by hosting the forum. The country can utilize the platform to reach agreements with partners on technology advancement and secure foreign currency from hospitality services.
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 21 JANUARY 2022
