IGF 2018 OF #22 Envisaging the pillars of discussions for G20 in 2019

Information

Session

Theme:

Development, Innovation & Economic Issues

Subtheme:

Other
Sub-theme description: Seizing the benefits of the Transformative Technologies

Description:

The digital economy now affects throughout our society and economy, including trade, manufacturing, retail, finance, energy, transportation, health care, education, woman empowerment and disaster risk reduction, with the arrival of the era of digitally connected world where all people and things are globally and seamlessly connected through digital networks. Therefore, the digital economy is a key engine for achieving innovation, economic growth and social inclusion. Also, in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth of the world, it is essential to facilitate global efforts to fully seize the benefits of digital economy, which is represented by transformative technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), through such as promoting the free flow of information, while respecting applicable frameworks for privacy and data protection, and strengthening digital security. Keeping those in mind, Japan hosted the G7 ICT Ministers’ Meeting in 2016, and will host the G20 trade and digital economy ministerial in June 2019. Japan, as the only country involved in both G7 and G20 digital ministerial, will delve into the various aspects of the digital economy, from internet governance to development and adoption of transformative technologies. To this end, Japan believes that a multi-stakeholder process would definitely play an important role, as the digital economy is inclusive in its nature. Therefore, in this program, Japan will pursue the effective collaboration between G20 and G7, and will facilitate discussions in a multi-stakeholder manner for envisaging the pillars of discussions for the G20 ministerial in 2019.

Organizers:

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan

Speakers:

・Mr. Yoichi Iida, Director for International Research and Policy Coordination, Global ICT Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan ・Dr. Makoto YOKOZAWA, Vice Chair, Japan Committee on Internet Economy Industry Forum, Sub-Committee on Information and Telecommunications Policy, Keidanren; Senior Consultant, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.; Visiting Professor, The Graduate School of Informatics, University ・Mr. Masahiko SAKAMAKI, former Director, International Policy Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

Online Moderator:

Mr. Yoichi Iida, Director for International Research and Policy Coordination, Global ICT Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

Report:

- Session Type (Workshop, Open Forum, etc.):

Open Forum

- Title:

The multistakeholder approach in G20 and G7 discussions related to digital economy

- Date & Time:

Wednesday, 14 November 2018 at 12:30-13:30

- Organizer(s):

Ministry of Internal affairs and Communications (MIC) Japan and Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs France

- Chair/Moderator:

・Yoichi Iida(Deputy Director-General for G7 and G20 Relations MIC, Japan)

・Henri Verdie (Ambassador for Digital Affairs, France)

- Rapporteur/Notetaker:

- List of speakers and their institutional affiliations (Indicate male/female/ transgender male/ transgender female/gender variant/prefer not to answer):

・Dr. Daniela Brönstrup (Deputy Director-General, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Germany)

・Mr. Samuel Marleau Ouellet(Director, ISED G7 Secretariat, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

・ Dr. Valeria Escliar(Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of Modernization, Argentina)

・Ms. Rita Forsi,(Ministry of Economic Development. Italy)

・W20 Ms. Natacha Quester-Séméon (Etienne Parizot)

・C20 Mr./Ms. Nnena Nwakanma (web foundation)

- Theme (as listed here):

Development, Innovation& Economic Issues

- Subtheme (as listed here):

INTERNET FOR DEVELOPMENT & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

- Please state no more than three (3) key messages of the discussion. [150 words or less]

・Vitalizing the preparatory arguments toward G20 Digital Economy Track in 2019

・Strengthening synergy with G7 work stream under French Presidency.

・Focusing on the way to make the multistakeholder approach work in digital international negotiations encouraging different stakeholders to make suggestions and proposals to the groups of G7 and G20 to take their roles in the upcoming discussions in 2019 in their agenda.

- Please elaborate on the discussion held, specifically on areas of agreement and divergence. [150 words] Examples: There was broad support for the view that…; Many [or some] indicated that…; Some supported XX, while others noted YY…; No agreement…

After welcoming speech made by the moderators, representatives from governments and other stakeholders delivered presentation. In the last part, the floor was open to all participants and free discussion was held. There was broad support and consensus on the view that multistakeholder approach is crucial to discuss public policy issues pertaining to the Internet. Main specific comments from the speakers are as follows.

・It is crutial to demonstrate that the multistakeholder approach can help overcoming various real challenges

・It is essential to not only provide the multistakeholder the opportunities to participate in G7/G20 discussion but also incorporate their views into ministerial declarations.

- Please describe any policy recommendations or suggestions regarding the way forward/potential next steps. [100 words]

There was broad support the view that multistakeholder approach is crucial to discuss public policy issues pertaining to the Internet and strengthening multistakeholder approach in various global forum like G7/G20 is needed to further progress the discussion.

- What ideas surfaced in the discussion with respect to how the IGF ecosystem might make progress on this issue? [75 words]

Participants agreed to strengthen the multistakeholder approach in the discussion regarding Internet Governance issues.

- Please estimate the total number of participants.

About 30 participants

- Please estimate the total number of women and gender-variant individuals present.

About 10 women participants

- To what extent did the session discuss gender issues, and if to any extent, what was the discussion? [100 words]

Some participants stated that it is essential to take gender balance into account when adopting the multistakeholder approach to ensure diversity.

Session Time:

Wednesday, 14 November, 2018 - 12:30 to 13:30 CET

Room:

Salle III