[ga] WSIS Decisions on Internet Governance

[Danny Younger <dannyyounger@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.ngocongo.org/ngomeet/WSIS/TunisAgenda.htm

Excerpt:

64.  We recognise the need for further development of,
and strengthened co-operation among, stakeholders for
public policies for generic top-level domain names
(gTLDs).

65.  We underline the need to maximise the
participation of developing countries in decisions
regarding Internet Governance, which should reflect
their interests, as well as in development and
capacity-building. 

66.  In view of the continuing internationalization of
the Internet and the principle of universality, we
agree to implement the Geneva Principles regarding
Internet Governance. 

67. We agree, inter alia, to invite the UN
Secretary-General to convene a new forum for
multi-stakeholder policy dialogue. 

68.  We recognise that all governments should have an
equal role and responsibility, for international
Internet governance and for ensuring the stability,
security and continuity of the Internet. We also
recognise the need for development of public policy by
governments in consultation with all stakeholders.

69.  Using relevant international organisations, such
cooperation should include the development of
globally-applicable principles on public policy issues
associated with the coordination and management of
critical Internet resources. In this regard, we call
upon the organisations responsible for essential tasks
associated with the Internet to contribute to creating
an environment that facilitates this development of
public policy principles.

70.  The process towards enhanced cooperation, to be
started by the UN Secretary-General, involving all
relevant organisations by the end of the first quarter
of 2006, will involve all stakeholders in their
respective roles, will proceed as quickly as possible
consistent with legal process, and will be responsive
to innovation. Relevant organisations should commence
a process towards enhanced cooperation involving all
stakeholders, proceeding as quickly as possible and
responsive to innovation. The same relevant
organisations shall be requested to provide annual
performance reports.

71.  We ask the UN Secretary-General, in an open and
inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter
of 2006, a meeting of the new forum for
multi-stakeholder policy dialogue?called the Internet
Governance Forum (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:

Discuss public policy issues related to key elements
of Internet Governance in order to foster the
sustainability, robustness, security, stability and
development of the Internet;

Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with
different cross-cutting international public policies
regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not
fall within the scope of any existing body;

     Interface with appropriate inter-governmental
organisations and other institutions on matters under
their purview; 

     Facilitate the exchange of information and best
practices, and in this regard make full use of the
expertise of the academic, scientific and technical
communities;

     Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and
means to accelerate the availability and affordability
of the Internet in the developing world;

     Strengthen and enhance the engagement of
stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet
Governance mechanisms, particularly those from
developing countries;

     Identify emerging issues, bring them to the
attention of the relevant bodies and the general
public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;

     Contribute to capacity-building for Internet
Governance in developing countries, drawing fully on
local sources of knowledge and expertise;

     Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the
embodiment of WSIS principles in Internet Governance
processes;

     Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical
Internet resources;

     Help to find solutions to the issues arising from
the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular
concern to everyday users;

     Publish its proceedings.

72.  The Internet Governance Forum, in its working and
function, will be multilateral, multi-stakeholder,
democratic and transparent. To that end, the proposed
IGF could:

     Build on the existing structures of Internet
Governance, with special emphasis on the
complementarity between all stakeholders involved in
this process ? governments, business entities, civil
society and inter-governmental organisations; 

     Have a lightweight and decentralised structure
that would be subject to periodic review;

     Meet periodically, as required. IGF meetings, in
principle, may be held in parallel with major relevant
UN conferences, inter alia, to use logistical support.


73.  We encourage the UN Secretary-General to examine
a range of options for the convening of the Forum,
taking into consideration the proven competencies of
all stakeholders in Internet Governance and the need
to ensure their full involvement.

74.  The UN Secretary-General would report to UN
Member States periodically on the operation of the
Forum.

75.  We ask the UN Secretary-General to examine the
desirability of the continuation of the Forum, in
formal consultation with Forum participants, within
five years of its creation, and to make
recommendations to the UN Membership in this regard. 

76.  The IGF would have no oversight function and
would not replace existing arrangements, mechanisms,
institutions or organisations, but would involve them
and take advantage of their expertise. It would be
constituted as a neutral, non-duplicative and
non-binding process. It would have no involvement in
day-to-day or technical operations of the Internet.

77.  The UN Secretary-General should extend
invitations to all stakeholders and relevant parties
to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF,
taking into consideration balanced geographical
representation. The UN Secretary-General should also:

     draw upon any appropriate resources from all
interested stakeholders, including the proven
expertise of ITU, as demonstrated during the WSIS
process; and 

     establish an effective and cost-efficient bureau
to support the IGF, ensuring multi-stakeholder
participation.

78.  Diverse matters relating to Internet Governance
would continue to be addressed in other relevant fora.




		
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