[WSIS CS-Plenary] report on opening session of Internet Governance Forum, 25 March

[rikp at earthlink.net]

Dear colleagues,

I have uploaded to WSIS-online.net a brief report on the morning session of the Global Forum on Internet Governance, which takes place today (March 25) and tomorrow at the United Nations under the sponsorship of the UN ICT Task Force.  We will try and upload to WSIS-online updates as the meetings progress.  

Go to http://wsis-online.net/csnews for the latest news.

Here's the intro to my report:

GLOBAL FORUM ON INTERNET GOVERNANCE
Thursday 25 March 2004
United Nations, ECOSOC Chamber
9:00am-1:00pm


The Global Forum on Internet Governance began its meetings this morning with welcome messages from various officials.

The Chair of the UN ICT Task Force opened the forum on internet governance, emphasizing the importance of the forum acting as a “tributary” to a “strong stream of activities” that build on comparative strengths and perspectives.  

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan offered welcome remarks.  He noted that after consultations, he will establish the working group on internet governance as called for in the WSIS Plan of Action.  It will be “open, transparent and inclusive” of all stakeholders.  This openness and inclusiveness will also characterize the task force on funding.

The Vice President of ECOSOC also offered greetings.

Vinton Cerf, Senior VP of MCI, offered opening remarks related to the importance of defining internet governance, identifying key public policy areas, and developing common understandings among governments, IGOS, the private sector and civil society, both from developing and developed countries.  He noted that governance is often seen as restrictive, but can also be seen as facilitating access and new uses of the medium.

Marcus Kummar, Chair of drafting group on internet governance at the WSIS, gave his remarks and reccomendations.  He suggested that it was important first of all to address the modalities of how internet governance is discussed and then to move on to individual issues.  He noted that while participation and accountability are important issues, limited membership is necessary for the working group to be effective.  Developing countries need to be included and funding and capacity building need to occur to make that possible.

R. McCormick, International Chamber of Commerce, argued that the working group should focus on issues not being focused on by expert bodies, on areas where concrete action is necessary.  The working group should be seen as a steering committee rather than a prescriptive activity....

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RIK PANGANIBAN       Communications Coordinator

Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CONGO) 
web: http://www.ngocongo.org
email: rik.panganiban at ngocongo.org
mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524