{"id":107236,"date":"2022-11-03T13:51:19","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T17:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/?p=107236"},"modified":"2022-11-03T13:51:19","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T17:51:19","slug":"media-advisory-major-un-gathering-in-ethiopia-seeks-solutions-for-building-an-open-free-secure-and-inclusive-digital-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/blog\/2022\/11\/media-advisory-major-un-gathering-in-ethiopia-seeks-solutions-for-building-an-open-free-secure-and-inclusive-digital-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Media Advisory: Major ±¬ÁÏÍø gathering in Ethiopia seeks solutions for building an open, free, secure and inclusive digital future"},"content":{"rendered":"

17th<\/sup> Internet Governance Forum takes place from 28 November to 2 December in Addis Ababa<\/strong><\/p>\n

Media Accreditation is open for the IGF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Against a backdrop of surging geopolitical tensions, Internet shutdowns and deepening mistrust, governments, businesses, civil society, the technical community and international organizations will meet at the annual Internet Governance Forum<\/strong> (IGF) from 28 November to 2 December<\/strong> in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to determine concrete steps for achieving universal and meaningful Internet connectivity.<\/p>\n

Safe and secure Internet is a fundamental human right and pivotal to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals<\/a>. Open and secure Internet access can generate huge benefits in the health, economic and educational sectors. For example, in countries where there is low broadband connectivity, providing schools with access to the Internet can grow GDP by 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

The IGF, convened annually by the ±¬ÁÏÍø Secretary-General, is a critical platform for enabling open and engaging discussions on Internet governance, including the Internet\u2019s sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development.\u00a0 With many technological advances underway\u2014artificial intelligence, biotechnology and neurotechnology\u2014a new global digital compact<\/a> as outlined in the United Nations\u2019 Our Common Agenda<\/a> is needed to build a concrete framework for an open, free and secure digital future.<\/p>\n

The 17th<\/sup> IGF comes at a crucial time when approximately 2.9 billion people still remain unconnected, many of them living in least developed countries and rural communities. Women also lag behind men in terms of Internet access. Other than access to and affordability of devices, an open and free Internet has also allowed for its misuse through online misinformation and disinformation, cyberattacks and the endangerment of child online safety.<\/p>\n

Hosted by the Government of Ethiopia and supported by the ±¬ÁÏÍø Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the ±¬ÁÏÍø Economic Commission for Africa, the Forum will be in a hybrid format.<\/p>\n

Discussions will focus on five key areas<\/a>: (1) connecting all people and safeguarding human rights; (2) avoiding Internet fragmentation; (3) governing data and protecting privacy; (4) enabling safety, security and accountability; and (5) addressing advanced digital technologies. In addition to the opening and closing ceremonies, a Parliamentary Track<\/a> and a Youth Global Summit<\/a>, there will also be three High-level sessions<\/a>:<\/p>\n