WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY The Internet Governance Issue in the Tunis Agenda ---- Ridha Guellouz African Preparatory Meeting for the Internet Governance Forum Africa : On the Road to Athens September 2006 SMSI/WSIS

OBJECTIVES OF THE SUMMIT   ITU re solution 73 Establishment of a common vision and understanding of the Information Society Establishment of a common vision and understanding of the Information Society Adoption of principles for building the information society Adoption of principles for building the information society   I nternational WSIS debate Bridging the digital gap Insure free, equal and universal access to information

Summit Architecture 1 – Patronage of the UN Secretary General 1 – Patronage of the UN Secretary General 2 – Conformity with Millenium Declaration Goals with participation of different stakeholders : - Governments, - International organizations, - Private sector, - Civil society 3 – First summit to be held in two phases.

A – Common understanding of information society B – An Information society for all : fondamental principles - The role of stakeholders - ICT Infrastructure - Acces to information and knowledge - Reinforcement of capacities - Confidence in ICT (Reliability and security) - A favorable environment - ICT applications - Cultural Identity and diversity, linguistic diversity and local contents - Medias - Ethics of the information society - International and regional coopération. C – Towards a shared knowledge society. Structure of the debate on principles

WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY MAIN RESULTS

Plan of action Declaration of principles OUTPUTS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF WSIS Internet Governance Financing the digital divide Role of stakeholders Ethics PENDING QUESTIONS

Tunis 2005 OUTPUTS A new step in the global concertation process, - The Tunis Commitment : Expression of a political international will - The Tunis Agenda : Consensual view of the international community on :. Financing the reduction of digital gap. Establishment of a concertation framework on Internet Governance. After Tunis 2005 : A mechanism for WSIS follow up

A Tunisian, Arab, African initiative in years of common international efforts Two phases for one single summit 6 international preparatory meetings (Prepcom) 11 regional preparatory conferences 29 thematic conferences 3 UN resolutions A 10 to 15 years action programme A contribution to peace and international solidarity A leverage for economy W S I S

“ “ Internet governance is the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet”. Working Group on Internet Governance -Geneva Reinforcement of the concept of inclusiveness of Governments, the private sector and civil society in the mechanisms of Internet governance. - Acknowledgement that with respect to specific issues of IG each group will have different interests and participation. The Internet governance issue

solutions: solutions: New forum for multistakeholder policy dialogue Internet governance Negotiations Contribution of Tunisia Phase to IG WGIGWSIS Phase 1

THE TUNIS 2005 OUTPUTS IN RELATION WITH THE INTERNET GOVERNANCE ISSUE A POLITICAL COMMITMENT Tunis Commitment Para 7 : focusing on financial mechanisms for bridging the digital divide, on Internet governance and related issues, as well as on follow- up and implementation of the Geneva and Tunis decisions Tunis Agenda Para 23 and 27 : Necessity to provide affordable Access to Internet Services

THE TUNIS 2005 OUTPUTS IN RELATION WITH THE INTERNET GOVERNANCE ISSUE ANSWERS TO PREOCCUPATIONS Tunis Agenda, Para 29 to 82 Inclusiveness and openness : A new multistakeholder approach Creation of a new open and inclusive Internet forum to be convened by UN SG for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue. Global approach on positive use of Internet : Necessity for confidence, security, prosecution of cybercrime and countering SPAM Freedom of expression Equitable access to Internet resssources - Multilingualisation of the Internet, as part of a multilateral, transparent and democratic process, involving governments and all stakeholders, in their respective roles. - A fair management of country-code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) and generic top-level domain names (gTLDs). More focus on e-business and e-government Recognized need for enhanced cooperation

IssuesFeatures Stakeholders Civil society Private sector Industry Standard bodies Academia ICANN? National bodies: Governments International bodies: IGOs Users Autonomy Transparency Competence Participation Openness Stability Technical issues IP standards DNS Root server Access Dispute resolution Public domain Rights-holders’ interests Child protection Cybercrime Universal & equitable access Operational stability Privacy/Data protection Multi- lingualism Freedom of expression Cultural diversity Consumer protection Ethical, legal and societal issues

Internet Governance Issue in the implementation of the Tunis Agenda C1 - The role of public governance authorities C2 - ICT Infrastructure C3 - Acces to information and knowledge C4 - Reinforcement of capacities C5 - Confidence in ICT (Reliability and security) C6 - A favorable environment C7 - ICT applications. E-government. E-business. E-learning. E-health. E-employment. E-environment. E-agriculture. E-science C8 - Cultural Identity and diversity, linguistic diversity and local contents C9 - Medias C10 - Ethics of the information society C11 - International and regional coopération.

A COMMON PREOCCUPATION FOR ALL IGF STAKEHOLDERS W I I I F M ? What is in IGF for Africa ? What is in Athens for Africa ?

What is in IGF for Africa ?   IGF is a result of strong positions expressed by developping african countries in the WSIS Process   IGF is simultaneously : An international framework offering to developing countries the opportunity to participate in policy decision-making relating to IG and promoting and making easy such participation An international process which will improve according to the evolution of the international debate on Internet Governance. African stakeholders presence is necessary to maintain the momentum of the WSIS regarding IG

What is in Athens for Africa ? Athens 2006 IGF is the first Forum after WSIS  - A common understanding of the way IG issues will be debated is expected to emmerge  A consolidation of WSIS principles regarding IGF is expected to be expressed  Discussions on important issues will take place But  No fundamental decisions are expected to be taken. African stakeholders have better to be present in this frirst major observation round.

WORLD SUMMIT ON INFORMATION SOCIETY THANK YOU Tunis 2005 تونس 2005