This session will explore dimensions of the challenges and opportunities in identifying innovative approaches to promote and use technologies for sustainable development. It will address how the shared goal of sustainable development can be realized by harnessing technologies, while at the same time minimizing their disruptive and adverse effects.

This panel discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Members in promoting human rights-based approaches to managing the growing malign threat of online disinformation.

　The Internet space is the foundation of the digitalized activities in society and economy. In order to strengthen inclusive and sustainable development, it is critical to maintain the free, open and secure Internet space where the maximum benefits of innovation are realized. Therefore, Fostering “trust” in the Internet space is essential to promote “data free flow with trust”.

Over the recent years, various stakeholders launched initiatives on cybersecurity. Such rise of initiatives will inevitably influence the security and stability of cyberspace not necessarily by competing against one another, but forming a joint effort. This Open Forum will aim to be a platform to share information and develop common responses and find common denominators to build confidence among stakeholders, in order to contribute to the stability of cyberspace.

The session will focus on the key aspects around technology and governance that are shaping our ability to effectively respond to threats and harms faced by children online, such as: access to technology tools to protect children online, regulatory frameworks on digital platforms and their interplay with safety considerations, unequal capacities across the globe to prevent and respond to online threats and the role of international collaboration.

The Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) - increasing trust through building capacity. This Open Forum will present the efforts of the GFCE and its constituent members as a global platform for the coordination of cyber capacity building.

The WSIS Forum 2021 Open Consultation process (OCP) aims at ensuring a participatory and inclusive spirit of the Forum. This process actively engages multistakeholders in the preparatory process to ensure broad ownership and further improvements of the Forum. The Open Consultation Process will include a collection of inputs from regional and national WSIS related events and therefore work towards shaping the Themes and Format of WSIS Forum 2021. New open calls will be described and promoted.

This session will focus on strategies and practices to advance human rights when governments procure, license or form partnerships to make use of new digital technologies. In a context where contact tracing-apps are developed through public-private partnerships, States should take additional steps to protect against human rights abuses by business enterprises that receive substantial support and services from State agencies and where appropriate, require human rights due diligence.

High Level UN IGF Open Forum Social media: @globalyouthigf The format of the Open Forum is intended to be a debate between the Youth IGF leaders and executives of the Information Society.  The discussion between the leaders and the young representatives is proposed to be focused this year on the engagement of the Youth IGF leaders during the COVID crisis and the role of the youth activism in digital in the scope of resolution of crisis situations.

Session on the Global Encryption Coalition and the global encryption debate around the world - what's at stake and what we can do about it.

How can ethical principles for AI be implemented? How do we translate high-level principles into policies? What kind of human and institutional capacities are needed to govern AI? These are some of the questions that experts from national, regional and international organizations working on the governance of AI would be focusing on during the session.

Humanity deserves and asks for better governance. Both citizens and decision-makers are ready to experiment with new approaches. Decisions taken on behalf of 7+ billion human beings require to augment the traditional expertise with the vision and experience of ordinary citizens that will enrich, legitimize, and strengthen the decisions.

This award will be presented in the following categories: Access, Skills, Leadership in Tech, Leadership in SMEs and Research

As this forum is organized by the highest continental body in Africa, stakeholders are encouraged to participate and share views on the way forward on IG issues in Africa.