Shaping Tomorrow: Global Leaders Unite in Riyadh for a Safe and Inclusive Digital Future
The 19th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is currently underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 15 to 19, 2024.
Themed "Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future," the forum gathers over 10,000 participants from more than 170 countries, including representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations.
A key focus of the forum is the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC), which aims to ensure that digital technologies serve humanity's best interests. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the transformative power of digital technology, stating that unlocking its potential requires collaborative governance.
Discussions at the IGF cover critical issues such as digital inclusion, artificial intelligence governance, and countering online misinformation. Despite the rapid expansion of digital technology, approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, predominantly in developing countries. Addressing this digital divide is central to the forum's agenda. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Alswaha, highlighted the forum's role in promoting international digital cooperation in the era of AI. He encouraged stakeholders to engage deeply in shaping innovative internet governance to support a prosperous and sustainable digital future. The forum also addresses the challenges of artificial intelligence governance, online safety, and sustainable digital practices. Sessions are dedicated to combating the spread of hate speech and misinformation online, reinforcing human rights in digital spaces, and ensuring equitable data use and privacy protections. The IGF's outcomes, encapsulated in the Riyadh IGF Messages, will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers worldwide, aiming to foster a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future for all.
The 19th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is currently underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 15 to 19, 2024.
Themed "Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future," the forum gathers over 10,000 participants from more than 170 countries, including representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations.
A key focus of the forum is the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC), which aims to ensure that digital technologies serve humanity's best interests. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the transformative power of digital technology, stating that unlocking its potential requires collaborative governance.
Discussions at the IGF cover critical issues such as digital inclusion, artificial intelligence governance, and countering online misinformation. Despite the rapid expansion of digital technology, approximately 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline, predominantly in developing countries. Addressing this digital divide is central to the forum's agenda. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Alswaha, highlighted the forum's role in promoting international digital cooperation in the era of AI. He encouraged stakeholders to engage deeply in shaping innovative internet governance to support a prosperous and sustainable digital future. The forum also addresses the challenges of artificial intelligence governance, online safety, and sustainable digital practices. Sessions are dedicated to combating the spread of hate speech and misinformation online, reinforcing human rights in digital spaces, and ensuring equitable data use and privacy protections. The IGF's outcomes, encapsulated in the Riyadh IGF Messages, will provide actionable recommendations for policymakers worldwide, aiming to foster a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future for all.
