IGF 2020 Main Session: Digital Cooperation

Time
Thursday, 12th November, 2020 (17:50 UTC) - Thursday, 12th November, 2020 (19:20 UTC)
Room
Room 1
About this Session
Global Digital Cooperation is a defining aspect of our time. Cooperation within and between the public, private and civic sectors through multistakeholderism, including the whole world, is essential to the future we want. This session will build on the United Nations Secretary-General's Roadmap for digital cooperation to connect, protect and respect int he digital age, with a focus on the role of the IGF.
  1. Brief Description/Objective
    This session will engage participants in furthering global digital cooperation, with a focus on the IGF’s role therein.

    In June 2020 the UN Secretary-General called on all stakeholders to boost efforts to connect, protect and respect in order to ensure an inclusive, fair and safe digital future for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more than ever the need for Digital Cooperation at the international level, in an increasingly interdependent world. Following the recommendations of the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation in 2019, and the work of the co-champions and many involved stakeholders through 2020; the Secretary-General’s Roadmap offers a plethora of opportunities for the IGF community to support.

    This main session will be guided by the Roadmap on Digital Cooperation and the options paper presented to the Secretary-General. Participants will have the opportunity to make pledges and work towards an implementation plan for an IGF fit for purpose for our common digital future.

  2. Policy Questions

    1. Inclusion and Broader Participation: In what ways could you/ your stakeholder group further inclusion in global digital cooperation, particularly from so far underrepresented stakeholder groups, especially from the global south?
       
    2. Accelerated Cooperation: How should different stakeholder groups, organizations, processes and fora work better together, in order to bridge the gap between discussions and implementable solutions? What frameworks and models currently serve as best practices for cooperation? How might the IGF be better connected with other fora?
       
    3. Outcomes: What additional methods for concrete policy recommendations might be tested at the IGF, such that the forum remains a discussion body but facilitates a greater range of outcomes? What form of outcomes would support your work as a decision maker?
       
    4. High-level Engagement: What challenges currently exist in global digital cooperation, and what value could the IGF add in this area? How might the Multistakeholder High-level Body serve to address challenges in global digital cooperation, in tandem with the existing Multistakeholder Advisory Group?
       
    5. Communications & Financing: How might the visibility of the IGF be bolstered in order to promote adequate and reliable financial resources? What additional sources of outreach and financing should be considered?
       
  3. Session Agenda
    I.     Introduction to Global Digital Cooperation by Chair

    II.   High-level Segment
                - First Policy Question for each speaker
                - Second Policy Question for each speaker

    III. Moderated Dialogue with audience
                 - Lead Discussants
                - Open to audience
               
    IV. Closing
                - Final word by speakers
                - Closing by USG Hochschild

 

  1. Chair and Moderators
    Chair: Fabrizio Hochschild, Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Digital Cooperation.
    Online Moderator: MAG Member Rudolf Gridl.
     
  2. Speakers

High-Level Speakers: (part II)
 

Name

Title

Organization

H.E. Mr. Omar Sultan Al Olama

Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Government and Remote Work

Government of the United Arab Emirates

H.E. Mr. David Sengeh

CIO  and Minister of Basic Education

Government of Sierra Leone

Ms. Sophie Soowon Eom

Founder

Adriel AI and Solidware

Ms. Lise Fuhr

Director General

ETNO

Mr. Joseph Hall

Senior Vice President for Strong Internet

Internet Society (ISOC)

Ms. Olga Cavalli

Academic Director

South School on Internet Governance

Ms. Miranda Sissons

Director for Human Rights

Facebook

 

Discussants: (part III: moderated dialogue)

Name

Title

Organization

 

H.E. Mr. Thomas Schneider

Ambassador, Director of International Affairs

Swiss Federal Office of Communications

 

Ms. Sandra Hoferichter

Secretary-General

EuroDIG

 

Mr. Bocar Ba

Chief Executive Officer

SAMENA Council

 

Ms. Lynn St Amour

President and CEO

Internet Matters

 

Mr. Radosław Kędzia

Vice President CEE & Nordics

Huawei

 

Ms. Anriette Esterheusen

Co-facilitator - MAG Strategy and Strengthening Working group

Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the Internet Governance Forum

 

Ms. Daniella Brönstrup

Director of Digital Policy

Government of Germany

 

Additional participants from the floor
  1. Rapporteurs
         June Parris,  MAG Member,  Adama Jallow, MAG Member
     
  2. Facilitators:

Hana AlHashimi, Cassa Concettina, and Adama Jallow (all MAG Members)

 

  1.  Desired results/output. Possible next steps for the work
    The session will work towards concrete next steps, pledges, and ideas towards an implementation plan for the IGF+, building on the options paper for Global Digital Cooperation.
     
  2.  Annex Documents and Sources
     

UNSG Roadmap on Digital Cooperation:

https://www.un.org/en/content/digital-cooperation-roadmap/assets/pdf/Roadmap_for_Digital_Cooperation_EN.pdf

Options paper submitted to the UNSG on Global Digital Cooperation:
https://www.global-cooperation.digital/GCD/Navigation/EN/The-Options-Paper/the-options-paper.html
 

Response document by MAG working group on Strengthening & Strategy:
 https://www.intgovforum.org/filedepot_download/10447/2267

 

  1. Links to SDGs
    SDG 17: Partnerships