SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE INTERNET ECONOMY 2015 African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF-15) Tuesday 8 September 2015 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia James Mutandwa MADYA Deputy Director (Communications) Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services - Zimbabwe

Outline Introduction Sustainable Development Internet Economy How ICTs and the Internet can Facilitate Implementation of the SDGs Implications for Internet Governance Conclusion

Introduction This presentation begins by defining Sustainable Development and proceeds to paint the picture of the Internet Economy. While exploring the relationship between these two critical issues, the presentation looks at how ICTs and the Internet can facilitate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To make the picture perfect, the presentation finally considers the implications of this relationship for Internet Governance.

Sustainable Development Sustainable development has been a focus of international public policy since the Earth Summit that was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in The concept identifies three core objectives for human development - i.e. economic growth, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Only by pursuing these together can the world achieve “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”(Brundtland definition of Sustainable Development, 1990). During the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit to be held later this month, from 25 to 27 September 2015, the United Nations will place 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets at the heart of its Post-2015 Development Agenda, which will guide development until 2030.

Internet Economy We live and work in an Era where interconnection, digital and technological innovation are transforming and disrupting traditional approaches to just about everything we can think of. Whether this Era be described as: o The Sharing or Collaborative Economy; o The Application Economy; o The Knowledge or Human Economy: or o The Internet Economy – this constant technological advancement is driven by a world that is simply interconnected by the full spectrum of Internet- based communications; in turn driven by the currency of trust.

Internet Economy (Continued) Allow me to quote the Science, Technology and Innovation Director of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Andrew Wyckoff, who observes in OECD DIGITAL ECONOMY OUTLOOK 2015 (Published on 15 July 2015) that, “The Digital Economy has enormous potential for economic growth and well-being – but only if people trust it enough to fully engage”. Things are moving very fast, with the arrival of Big Data analytics and the Internet of Things, and we must make sure that we are ready for the impact this will have on digital privacy, security and trust as well as on skills and employment.

Internet Economy (Continued) The Digital Economy now permeates countless aspects of the world economy, impacting sectors as varied as banking, retail, energy, transportation, education, publishing, media or health. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are transforming the way social interactions and personal relationships are conducted, with fixed, mobile and broadcasting networks converging, and devices and objects increasingly connected to form the Internet of Things.

Internet Economy (Continued) The growth of the Internet Economy is now documented, but little has been written on how to thrive in such an environment that is defined by a single constant – Change. Adapting to such an environment is not only key but necessary. The Internet Economy is complex and challenging and moves so fast to keep up to date on everything. One would be doing well if they would just ‘keep on moving straight ahead’!

How ICTs and the Internet can Facilitate Implementation of the SDGs The world has already witnessed ICTs and the Internet having a major impact on economic and social development. The Internet, in particular, has become a critical enabler of economic and social change, transforming how Government, business and citizens interact and offering new ways of addressing development challenges. ICTs, therefore, can support the delivery of the SDGs. We have been told that UN Agencies (UNCTAD, UNESCO and ITU) have already begun identifying synergies between SDGs and WSIS Action Lines. Once the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are formally agreed, these can be translated into practical measures (Targets) to support their implementation.

How ICTs and the Internet can Facilitate Implementation of the SDGs (Continued) ICTs will play a crucial role in Monitoring and Measuring Progress towards sustainable development, by facilitating data-gathering and analysis of indicators adopted for every Goal and Target. We have also been told that the UN Agencies have begun work to identify these Indicators. Suffice to mention that (building on experience with targets for connectivity agreed at WSIS) Indicators for ICTs and the Internet themselves will be required in order to build substantial evidence concerning the relationship between the Internet Economy and Sustainable Development.

Implications for Internet Governance The Internet Economy requires sustainable multi-stakeholder approaches to development. Thanks to ICTs and the Internet, which will enable more effective collaboration between development stakeholders and new ways to manage programmes. Given the fact that the Private Sector currently plays the predominant role in networks and services, cooperation between Business, Government and Other Stakeholders remains necessary.

Implications for Internet Governance (Continued) Furthermore, a sustainable Internet, based on an open and collaborative approach to policy, standards and technology development will be crucial at maximizing its contribution to the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development. The following three core principles, that foster innovation and collaboration between stakeholders, i.e. o Multi-stakeholder participation; o Open, universal, interoperable standards; and o Collaborative security, will require upholding.

Conclusion Finally, allow me to inform the 4 th African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF-15) that, for the 2015 UN / Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the IGF’ s Multi- stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) has decided to retain “Evolution of Internet Governance: Empowering Sustainable Development” as the overarching theme of the Global Forum.

Conclusion (Continued) The theme will be supported by eight sub-themes a) Cyber security and trust; b) The Internet Economy; c) Inclusiveness and diversity; d) Openness; e) Enhanced multi-stakeholder cooperation; f) The Internet and human rights; g) Critical Internet resources; and h) Emerging issues that will frame the discussions at Joao Pessoa, Brazil from November 2015 and the Internet Economy is among those sub-themes.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.