The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 concluded in Riyadh after five days of high-level discussions, drawing over 11,000 participants from various sectors, including experts, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community. This year’s forum addressed the transformative opportunities and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies.
AI was identified as both a groundbreaking tool and a source of significant risks. While AI holds the potential to solve critical global challenges, it could also exacerbate issues such as misinformation and inequality, undermining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Experts emphasized the need for urgent action to mitigate these risks and harness AI’s full potential for positive change.
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua, closed the event by reaffirming the core principles set out in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Declaration of Principles, which call for respect for peace, equality, solidarity, and human dignity. Mr. Li stressed that these principles should guide our collective efforts to shape the ethical dimensions of today’s rapidly evolving digital world.
The forum also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges presented by the digital age. As the UN General Assembly prepares for a review of the WSIS outcomes in 2025, discussions at the IGF underscored the ongoing need for digital governance frameworks that promote inclusivity and sustainability.
Key Focus Areas and Highlights
The IGF 2024 focused on digital trust, combating misinformation, and leveraging digital identity for secure e-services. His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted the country’s commitment to driving digital progress and sustainable development while enhancing global cooperation.
Over 300 sessions explored how digital technologies, from smart cities to sustainable agriculture, are revolutionizing industries and improving lives. However, concerns were raised about the digital divide, with 2.6 billion people still lacking access to the internet, threatening to leave many behind.
The forum also spotlighted the growing momentum for digital governance, with United Nations Member States adopting the Global Digital Compact and establishing the first universal agreement on AI governance to ensure responsible development and use of these powerful tools.
The Riyadh IGF Messages
The IGF 2024 concluded with the Riyadh IGF Messages, a set of action-oriented policy recommendations on digital governance, human rights online, and the role of digital technologies in peace, sustainability, and development. These recommendations, born from the collective wisdom of more than 11,000 participants, will guide policymaking in the coming years.
Mr. Li Junhua emphasized that these messages would serve as a guiding light for shaping the future of digital governance. He also acknowledged the critical juncture the world stands at, where technology has the potential to either connect or divide society. The rise of generative AI, capable of creating false but convincing content, exacerbates the threat to digital trust, especially among younger generations reliant on digital platforms for information.
Looking Ahead
In his opening message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recognized the IGF as a vital platform for addressing the most pressing digital governance issues and praised the adoption of the Global Digital Compact as a major milestone. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to build an open, free, and safe Internet for all.
The forum concluded with the announcement that Norway will host the 20th IGF in June 2025, marking another key moment in the global conversation about the future of the internet and digital governance.
About the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
The Internet Governance Forum, convened by the UN Secretary-General, is the global multistakeholder forum for dialogue on digital public policy. Each year, the IGF brings together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss digital governance trends and challenges. The forum facilitates the exchange of information and best practices related to digital governance to foster the sustainability, security, and development of the internet. For more information, please visit https://www.intgovforum.org/en.
