Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

The documents signed in Tunis at the World Summit on the Information Society call for an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to be established under the guidance of the UN Secretary General.

The dates for the Internet Governance Forum have been announced as 30 October - 2 November 2006 in Athens, Greece. 
More information may be found at: http://www.intgovforum.org/ and http://www.igf-greece2006.gr/

About the Forum
One of the most significant outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society, which took place  in Tunis between 16 and 18 November 2005, was the birth of the Internet Governance Forum.

The roles and functions of the Forum are set out in paragraphs 72-79 of the “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society”. Briefly, its main purpose will be to discuss a wide range of issues related to Internet Governance, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to the international community. The working and function of the Forum will be multilateral, multi-stakeholder democratic and transparent.

CCBI/ICC input to the IGF

The second round of consultations on the convening of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
19 May 2006, Geneva
ICC/CCBI interventions:
1 - Art Reilly, Cisco Systems - US
2 - Zahid Jamil, Jamil & Jamil - Pakistan
3 - Heather Shaw, USCIB - US
4 - Heather Shaw, USCIB - US

Further updated ICC matrix of issues related to the Internet and organizations dealing with them
May 2006
This matrix is the newly updated version of the 13 September 2004 ICC matrix on these issues.

ICC/CCBI preliminary input and criteria for analysis of topics for Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
25 April 2006
CCBI and ICC have prepared input on the criteria for analyzing topics for the IGF and the first event in Athens ahead of the consultations on 19 May in Geneva.
This input outlines the key criteria that members believe should be used to analyze the topics under consideration and global business strongly supports 'Training and education' as the focus of the first event in Athens for the reasons outlined in this submission.

Open consultations on the convening of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
16-17 February 2006, Geneva
CCBI/ICC interventions:
17 February (final) - Peter H. Hellmonds, Siemens
17 February (afternoon) - Ayesha Hassan, ICC

17 February (# 1) - Allen Miller - ITAA/WITSA
17 February (# 2) - Ayesha Hassan, ICC

16 February (morning) - Ayesha Hassan, ICC
16 February (afternoon) - Waudo Siganga, Computer Society of Kenya

CCBI/ICC further input on Internet Governance Forum
6 February 2006
CCBI and ICC have prepared further input (8 pages) on the IGF ahead of the consultations which will take place on 16-17 February 2006 in Geneva.

CCBI input on Internet Governance Forum
15 December 2005
The CCBI input on the Internet Governance Forum (5 pages) outlines key principles that business around the world believes should be the basis for the approach taken in terms of the composition of the bureau for the Forum, and secretariat and ultimately the Forum event or events.

To view all the ICC/CCBI work related to the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG), click here.

Consultations on establishment of UN Secretary General's working group on Internet Governace.
20-21 September 2004
ICC Presentation by Ayesha Hassan

UN ICT Task Force's Global Forum on Internet Governance
New York, 24-26 March 2004
Following the World Summit on the Information Society calling on the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to establish a working group on 'Internet governance', the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and its Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms, have compiled the following 3 documents to contribute to the UN ICT Task Force's Global Forum on Internet Governance (24-26 March 2004, New York) and the ongoing international discussions regarding this matter:

The latest publication of the UN ICT Task Force Book Series, titled "Internet Governance: A Grand Collaboration". ICC's contribution to the task force can be found on page 168.

ICC documents:

ICC roadmap for Internet Governance (.pdf - 14 pages)

Updated Matrix of issues related to the Internet and organizations dealing with them  (.pdf - 12 pages) 13 September 2004

The matrix is meant to identify issues related to the Internet and the government, the international/intergovernmental and multistakeholder, and the private sector/business actions and initiatives that are currently addressing or discussing the issues. This matrix has been prepared to assist in the discussions related to a working definition of 'Internet governance', what issues are being addressed and where, and whether there are any issues that are not being addressed.

ICC background paper on Internet Governance (.pdf - 12 pages)
French version
This paper provides information regarding the workings of the Internet and some of the entities involved.

Condensed version of the Global Action Plan for Electronic Business
(3rd edition - July 2002) (.pdf - 52 pages)
This document establishes a set of fundamental principles as the basis for the framework in which policymaking for electronic commerce should take place and presents a proposed framework for action that has been agreed to by the world's leading international business organizations that are working together to provide business leadership, in cooperation with governments and others. The plan describes business actions and commitments in concrete terms and identifies business expectations of government action. It is proposed as a reference point for all relevant business and government organizations to contribute to the efficient and transparent development of the minimal rules necessary for a stable and predictable electronic commerce environment.

In addition, ICC's Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms held a meeting on Internet governance on Tuesday 24 February 2004 at ICC International Headquarters, Paris. The summary report is available to read and has been submitted to the UN ICT Task Force as part of ICC's contribution to the Global Forum on Internet Governance.

ICC Honorary Chairman, Richard D. McCormick's remarks on Internet governance, delivered at U.N. ICT Task Force Global Forum on Internet Governance on 25 March 2004, New York.

Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms
Internet governance meeting
Tuesday 24 February 2004, ICC International Headquarters, Paris
Summary report

To see members of ICC's advisory committee on Internet governance, click here

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For more information please contact:
Ayesha Hassan, Senior Policy Manager
Executive in charge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policy
Tel: +33 1 49 53 30 13
Fax: +33 1 49 53 28 59
Email: Click here to send a mail

Manuela van der Laan
Tel: +33 1 49 53 28 07
Fax: +33 1 49 53 28 59
Email: Click here to send a mail

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