The Indian city of Hyderabad hosted last 3-6 December the 3rd session of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a body established per the decisions made during the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), at which the United Nations Secretary General was asked to set up a forum where various participants could discuss internet-related policies.
At this third meeting, the IGF focused on five main topics: access, cyber-security and cyber-crime (including the security versus privacy dichotomy), management of critical/scant resources (namely the switch from IPv4 to IPv6 and co-ordination between the various players involved in internet management), emerging issues - the internet of the future, and, lastly, evaluation of the Forum itself and identification of the route to follow.
Regarding access, the following important points were identified:
- Multilingualism;
- Illiteracy and the consequent need to develop content that also interests illiterates, who still account for a notable portion of the global population;
- Accessibility, i.e., internet use by individuals with special needs;
- Affordability, with the caveat that this does not just imply lower internet connection charges but also new business models where access is paid indirectly.
Regarding cyber-security, the importance of achieving an environment of trust among the various players involved in building a safer internet was stressed. A second goal is to ensure that users also trust the network itself. Lastly, a formula will have to be found to guarantee that managers/experts in the area of cyber-security trust the implemented procedures, namely in the approach to cyber-crime threats.
Also discussed was the future of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) after the expiration, due in September 2009, of the Joint Project Agreement that ensures the connection between ICANN and the United States government. For some this is seen as a unique opportunity to rework the current ICANN framework, specifically with a view to minimising the connection to the American government. Others see an opportunity for the organisation to evolve, namely by strengthening its legal status, but without making major changes given that the current model is deemed adequate. And there are others, basically the private sector, who hold that ICANN's internalisation could be achieved precisely through its privatisation. Regardless of the model, there is still the less-supported option of prolonging the JPA so as to better prepare for the transition.
As for the management of critical/scant resources, it was stressed that the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 does not mean a new internet with new potentials but simply a continuation/evolution of the IP protocol to increase the number of possible addresses. It was also noted that the two protocols may coexist in the future. Regarding enhanced co-operation, it was agreed that this is still a matter with little consensus about the ideal place/organisation to achieve same.
Other emerging issues discussed at the IGF included the issue of climate changes, the need for progress in the area of child protection and the financial question (for example, the granting of credit and/or fiscal benefits for equipment purchases is extremely important to ensure an overall expansion of internet access).
