Internet Governance Forum

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) presents a unique opportunity for interested stakeholders to influence the internet governance space. Founded in 2005 as an outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the IGF is a multistakeholder platform convened by the UN to facilitate open dialogue on internet governance. While it does not create binding rules, its influence on the formation an diffusion of norms – including digital standards – is significant. This soft power of the IGF is increasingly essential, especially as global institutions and governments navigate overlapping spheres of digital influence.

The IGF ecosystem converges around the annual IGF, which is attended by thousands of participants in situ and online. The last few IGFs include Paris (IGF2018), Berlin (IGF2019), an online edition due to the pandemic (IGF2020), Katowice (IGF2021), Addis Ababa (IGF2022), Kyoto (IGF2023),  and most recently in Riyadh (2024). The 2024 IGF in Riyadh alone brought together over 10,000 participants and more than 1,000 speakers across 300+ sessions held between December 15-19, 2024.

The IGF operates on foundational principles that ensure its role as an open, inclusive, and effective platform for dialogue on internet governance. These principles include multistakeholder participation, openness and inclusivity, transparency, accountability, consensus-based decision-making, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the promotion of development.

The range of subjects discussed at the IGF covers technical, legal, economic and social aspects, including the topics of:

• primary infrastructure and global regulations for the management of primary resources(critical information infrastructure, internet service and bandwidth providers, the IPv4/IPv6 protocol, IP/DNS/IDN, open standards)
• cybersecurity, cyber conflict, cybercrime, and child safety
• access to information and knowledge (digital media and intellectual property rights)
• the economy (e-commerce, taxation, the gig economy, labour rights)
• human rights (freedom of speech, privacy and anonymity, hate speech and violence, content policy, ethics)
• development (universal access, education and digital literacy, emerging technologies, e-governance and services, e-health)
• regulatory aspects (the relationships between regulators, service providers and tech companies, civil society and users and approaches to governance, policies and regulatory issues at the global, regional and national levels)
• the governance of emerging technologies (particularly AI, blockchain, quantum computing, the metaverse, etc.)

 2.4.1 The structure of the IGF

• Annual IGF meeting: This yearly global event is the centrepiece of the IGF, taking place in a different host country each year. It features diverse formats, including workshops, panel discussions, open forums, and networking opportunities, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices on internet governance.
• NRIs (National and Regional Initiatives): These independent meetings are organised at national and regional levels, mirroring the multistakeholder model of the global the IGF. They provide a platform for addressing internet governance issues specific to local and regional contexts.
• Best Practice Forums (BPFs): These forums delve into specific internet governance themes, such as cybersecurity, access, and child online protection. They generate policy recommendations and reports that contribute to the development of best practices in these areas.
• Dynamic Coalitions: These issue-specific groups are formed by stakeholders who share a common interest in addressing particular internet governance challenges. They foster collaboration and facilitate the development of joint solutions.
• Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG): This committee, comprised of experts appointed by the UN Secretary General based on global input, plays a crucial role in advising on the program and themes for the annual IGF meeting. Its members represent a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, the technical community, and international organisations, ensuring a multistakeholder perspective in shaping the IGF’s agenda.

Digital standards in the context of the IGF

Digital standards – ranging from technical protocols for internet infrastructure to frameworks on data governance – play a pivotal role in shaping not just technology but power dynamics. As governments and big tech push national and proprietary standards (e.g. through ITU-T or private consortiums), there’s always a growing risk of fragmentation, the expansion of surveillance, and exclusionary design (walled gardens). The IGF, in contrast, promotes inclusive deliberation around digital standards development, recognising that open, interoperable, rights-based systems depend on transparent and accountable input. These standards, including those for content and services, must be consistent with the rule of law and international human rights.  The IGF plays a crucial role as a neutral convening space where all stakeholders – including those from countries with divergent digital strategies –can engage in dialogue. 

For instance, Best Practice Forums (BPFs) and Dynamic Coalitions (DCs) at the IGF often address standards-adjacent topics like encryption, digital identity, cybersecurity, and AI governance. These discussions – though non-binding – frequently shape how regional or national bodies understand and implement digital policies, which in turn influence de facto standards.

The space for civil society

For civil society, engaging in technical standard-setting spaces like the IETF, ICAAN, or ITU can be intimidating. These forums often require advanced technical knowledge or formal membership. The IGF, however, offers a more accessible entry point. Through national and regional initiatives (NRIs), civil society organisations (CSOs) can and do engage in local contexts, feeding into global discussions. By participating in BPFs and DCs, they can highlight community needs, flag human rights risks in technical design, and push back against purely commercial or state-driven agendas.

For CSOs, this is important, as the future of digital standards should not be decided behind closed doors or only by those with technical or political power. The IGF remains one of the few genuinely inclusive global spaces where civil society can shape how digital infrastructure evolves. It is not just a conference – it is a forum where norms are seeded, partnerships are formed, and futures are imagined.

CSO participation is backed by official data. According to the IGF 2022 IGF MAG Submission to the Consultation on the Global Digital Compact report, civil society organisations made up the largest stakeholder group in attendance that year, accounting for 32% of participants. Still, meaningful participation remains out of reach for many – especially those from the Global South – due to ongoing barriers like financial constraints, visa challenges, and language limitations. 

Yet, the IGF also provides mechanisms that are tailored for civil society involvement, including:

• NRIs allow participation in local language and context
• Dynamic Coalitions offer open working groups that enable year-round engagement on specific issues
• Remote participation tools expand opportunities for dynamic participation without travel costs
• Youth initiatives and capacity-building workshops support and grow the next generation of digital rights advocates

Strategies for greater CSO engagement

Effective CSO engagement requires understanding each body’s structures and addressing barriers like resource gaps and capacity limitations. This understanding must go beyond mere procedural knowledge and include a critical analysis of the power dynamics at play. Strategic collaboration and capacity building are essential to ensure inclusive, representative internet governance that serves the public interest. However, capacity building efforts must be grounded in the principles of equity and empowerment, rather than simply replicating existing power structures. True inclusivity requires a shift towards recognising and valuing diverse forms of knowledge and expertise and ensuring that the voices of marginalised communities are not only heard but also meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes.

Several strategies can be pursued to amplify CSO participation in shaping digital standards via the IGF:

• Leverage hybrid participation: While in-person presence has advantages, online formats are an indispensable opportunity for organisations and individuals withe financial barriers. CSOs can participate in working groups, submit comments, and even organise virtual side events or sessions at a fraction of the cost both for organisers and attendees.
  
• Engage with DCs: These coalitions function throughout the year, allowing consistent input on topics like the internet of things, blockchain, accessibility, and children’s rights in the digital environment. These issue-specific groups often influence how standards are discussed at other forums.
  
• Networking: Collaborating with academic institutions, technical experts, and other civil society actors can improve technical literacy and strengthen advocacy for open, equitable standards.
  
• Invest in capacity building and youth engagement: Participating in youth initiatives and capacity building workshops helps cultivate the next generation of digital rights advocates. These programs enhance technological literacy and empower emerging leaders to participate actively in standardisation processes, ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping the digital landscape.