IGF 2015 in Brazil remains a huge success, a forum that brought under a roof multi-stakeholder: business personnel, private sectors, individuals, organizations, government and students from all nations of the world. It was the second occurrence of its kind in Brazil after 2007 and the theme focused was “Evolution of Internet Governance: Empowering Sustainable Development.”
Dr Jimson Olufuye, BASIS member and Chair of Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA) while giving his closing ceremony speech in João Pessoa on behalf of ICC-BASIS stated that IGF has come to a crucial moment for the future of Internet governance as several agitations are ongoing about who to govern the Internet; the government (UN) or private sector (IGF), he said as we consider that future, we should acknowledge how far IGF has gone in 10 short years and recognize the value of all that the IGF has achieved in time past.
During his speech he appreciates the effort of all the stakeholders who have been the pillar towards uplifting IGF through the years and also charged them to remain focused and maintain the stethoscope. In addition, Olufuye said “The IGF is a forum, not about the future of the IGF, but about the future of the Internet”.
The Internet is here to stay. But it can only thrive if we continue to pursue the evolving, multi stakeholder process. A process based on principles of collaboration, openness, transparency and inclusiveness.
Next year IGF which is slated to take place in Mexico he said will be a place to continue the conversations that were instigated and to benchmark its progress.
The quest of stakeholders to renew IGF mandate was reviewed and by the adoption of UN General Assembly consensus document, the mandate was extended for another 10 years.
