Ethiopia Hosts the National and Global Internet Governance Forum
Ethiopia through the Ministry of Innovation and Technology is playing host to the 17th Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) IGF 2022 | Internet Governance Forum (intgovforum.org). Under the overarching theme Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future, The Global Forum will take place at the HQ of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in Addis Ababa, from 28 November to 2 December 2022.
Prior to this, a national Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be held in Addis on August 4, 2022, organised by a Multistakeholder Advisory Committee and with the technical support from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology among other partners. The objective of the national event is to raise awareness, build capacity and promote a better understanding of Internet governance-related matters among stakeholders.
Within this framework, UNESCO is committed to supporting Ethiopia through the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the multistakeholder committee, in line with the organisation’s programme to promote Internet universality in its member states. Internet governance is also a central issue in UNESCO’s work, to maximize the potential of new technologies in fostering sustainable human development and enhancing the free flow of information and ideas worldwide.
Currently ongoing in 45 countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo RC, Congo RDC, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania in Africa, UNESCO and its International Programme for the Development of Communication have supported Ethiopia to carry out a national-wide assessment on how well national stakeholders, including governments, companies, and civil society perform in adhering to the Internet Universality ROAM-X indicators and ROAM principles of Rights, Openness, Accessibility, and Multi-stakeholder participation.
The report is expected to be launched during the 2022 Global IGF taking place in Ethiopia, will contribute to new insights and evidence-based policy improvements in the country: formulate several recommendations on the implementation of Internet policies and laws, bridge the digital, data and knowledge divides and foster digital transformation for sustainable development at national level. It will also present a comprehensive and substantive understanding of the country’s Internet environment and policies and their alignment and compliance with the ROAM principles.