History of NETmundial
The NETmundial conference, the first of its kind, was started in 2014 by the Brazilian government jointly with the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) and /1Net to deliberate on the future of Internet governance. NETmundial stands out for its multistakeholder and collaborative purpose, in which different sectors – such as governments, civil society, private sector, academia and global technical community – gathered to discuss the future of Internet governance, valuing the maintenance of a democratic environment.
Background of NETmundial
Tracing the root of this process, in 1995, the Brazilian Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Science and Technology initiated the establishment of the Internet Steering Committee (Comitê Gestor da Internet, CGI.br), which would involve all sectors of society to develop and manage the new commercialized network. Furthermore, the steering committee was also held responsible for enacting guidelines consisting of a series of principles for Internet use and governance, which became the underlying principles behind the Marco Civil Law (Brazil’s “Internet Bill of Rights”). The Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance, also known as NETmundial, operates as an extended arm in an open and multistakeholder fashion soliciting comment(s)/suggestion(s) from a diverse set of stakeholders while providing them a platform to discuss issues impacting them to reach a consensus, thereby developing NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement. Such statements tend to contribute to the development of the Internet governance ecosystem.
NETmundial Dialogue(s) in 2014
In 2014, the said conference discussed two important issues relevant to the future evolution of the Internet, in an open and multistakeholder fashion with participants from 97 countries to develop the “NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement” in the form of 10 principles for Internet governance processes. The said issues include discussing and developing Internet governance principles as well as charting the path for the future evolution of Internet governance. It is pertinent to note that consensus was reached in identifying a set of common principles and important values that contribute to an inclusive, multistakeholder, effective, legitimate, and evolving Internet governance framework. Additionally, certain areas were highlighted that required the attention of all the stakeholders such as ways to strengthen the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10) review, among others.
NETmundial+10 Dialogue(s) in 2024
Building on the NETmundial dialogues initiated in 2014, CGI.br organized the NETmundial+10 dialogues in 2024, a second global multistakeholder meeting on the future of Internet governance with the emphasis on strengthening Internet governance and digital policy processes. During the NETmundial+10, the consultation was structured around three main topics:
- Principles for Digital Governance Processes
- Guidelines for the Implementation of Multistakeholder Mechanisms
- Contributions to Ongoing Governance Processes
A diverse set of stakeholders participated in the process to enquire about certain issues related to multilateralism, multistakeholderism, GDC, WSIS, IGF, and NETmundial+10, among others. Additionally, it was decided to keep abreast with the ongoing challenges in this complicated world and to address novel technologies with the involvement of diverse stakeholders. These dialogue(s) are crucial at a time when the GDC is set to revamp the institutional architecture with the mandate of WSIS and IGF pending review in 2025. All such changes are reflected in the NETmundial+10 Multistakeholder Statement which is developed with the input(s) received from governments, private sector, civil society, technical community, and academia from around the world.
The ecosystem player(s) affirm their commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance including the NETmundial outcome document developed in 2014 and its process principles. However, with the passage of time, stakeholders are advised to update the relevant process principles to make this process robust and resilient, addressing emerging challenges while building a common, consistent, and accessible vocabulary with an open and right mindset.
For instance, only some stakeholders suggested introducing new principles related to accountability and environmental sustainability to ensure better coordination of the decentralized initiatives, thereby avoiding duplications and ambiguity. Further, concerns were raised purporting to words used in the draft outcome document such as governance of the digital realm, governance of digital technology and development, governance architecture, governance processes, governance system dealing with the Internet and digital policy issues, and Internet governance processes which needs more clarity and explanation. They also suggested amendments in certain statement(s) of the said document to reiterate the 2014 NETmundial principles including process principles in light of the changing environment.
Way Forward
To overcome emerging challenges in this dynamic environment that we face today has far exceeded the capacity of any single State to manage alone on issues such as digital divide, affordability & accessibility, regulation of emerging technologies, data privacy & security, misinformation & disinformation, infrastructure constraints, availability of content in local languages, collaboration & cooperation, etcetera. Left unaddressed, the risk(s) threaten the well-being of present and future generation(s) and the welfare of our planet, while the advances may benefit only a few.
Written by Sameer Gahlot