IGF 2023 Open Forum #89 Multistakeholder Model - Driver for Global Services and SDGs

ICANN’s Open Forum will explore the achievements driven by the multistakeholder model in shaping the Internet ecosystem. This session will highlight the success of the multistakeholder model for , fostering an inclusive and accessible digital environment and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. The multistakeholder model is critical to at the heart of everything ICANN does - whether its developing policies of the technical implementation of those policies to manage the unique identifiers that maintain a single stable interoperable Internet sharing a common Internet protocol.. Central to our discussion will be the IANA transition. This milestone established ICANN as an independent global organization accountable to the global Internet community, demonstrating how collaboration and consensus-driven decision-making drives positive change. The transition and the self governance since that time exemplifies the success of the multistakeholder model We will showcase the Internet's resilience – uninterrupted service for over 35 years. This achievement stands as a testament to its reliability and unwavering connectivity, benefiting billions of users worldwide. It underscores the collective efforts and shared responsibility of all stakeholders. Additionally, we will explore the Internet's response during the global pandemic, its ability to scale up immediately providing essential connectivity for remote work, education, and access to critical services, family and friends. This highlights how a shared set of protocols and the collaboration of diverse stakeholders can swiftly address emerging challenges, ensuring the Internet's availability and functionality. Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) will also be examined, empowering diverse languages and cultures to thrive on the Internet. This development illustrates how the multistakeholder model promotes inclusivity and amplifies voices from all backgrounds. Furthermore, we will delve into other ICANN activities, including initiatives such as the Coalition for Digital Africa and the expansion of the Top-Level Domain (TLD) space. These initiatives underscore ICANN's commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and equitable access to the Internet, especially in bridging the digital divide in underserved regions. Join ICANN Board Members and CEO in this engaging session as they explore the resounding success of the multistakeholder model in shaping an inclusive, resilient, and collaborative Internet ecosystem and its critical role in achieving the sustainable development goals. By reflecting on these achievements, we collectively recognize the power of the multistakeholder model in addressing global stakeholder development and services needs and Internet governance challenges

The session will adopt a hybrid format, accommodating both virtual and onsite participation of panelists and attendees. Structured with a focus on interactive engagement, the session will dedicate at least 20% of its duration to questions, comments, and discussion. Ensuring equal treatment for all participants, robust communication channels between onsite and online moderators will be established through private chats and extensive information exchange during the session. Drawing from ICANN's experience in conducting successful hybrid public meetings, best practices will be implemented to foster vibrant interaction for both in-person and remote participants. To facilitate active engagement, the session will actively monitor the chat and Q&A pod (if available). Efforts will be made to leverage the features of the Zoom platform or other available tools to enhance interaction, where feasible. ICANN, having conducted numerous meetings and working group sessions online since March 2020, along with several hybrid ICANN meetings by the time of the IGF 2023, will bring valuable expertise in optimizing interaction dynamics. Recognizing the challenges posed by time zone disparities, participants unable to attend in real-time will have the opportunity to submit questions to the session organizers in advance. Furthermore, background materials will be provided ahead of the session, enabling attendees to familiarize themselves with the topic beforehand. Following the session, any outstanding questions will be addressed privately, and avenues for ongoing engagement with ICANN will be provided, ensuring a continued exchange of ideas and information beyond the session itself.