The 19th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is being hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh from December 15th to 19th, 2024. The forum is being held in a hybrid format, allowing both online and onsite participation. This year’s theme is “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future,” with discussions focused on addressing challenges in digital online services, combating online threats, advocating for a globally connected and trustworthy Internet, and exploring issues like Internet fragmentation.
A significant highlight of this year’s forum is the participation of a delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), marking their first involvement in the global event. The forum will also focus on the important work being carried out by the UN Internet Society Community (ISC) and provide insights to the new generation of Internet leaders by equipping them with the necessary skills and information to defend and take action in the digital world. Additionally, the IGF’s multistakeholder model will be discussed in relation to the ongoing Global Digital Compact process.
On the fourth day of the forum, Ano Jawhar, the KRG’s Minister of Transport and Communications, will deliver a speech, marking a significant moment for the delegation. The first IGF was held in 2006 in Athens, Greece, and since then, the forum has been held in various countries, including Brazil, India, Egypt, Lithuania, Kenya, Azerbaijan, Poland, and Japan, with the last forum held in Kyoto.
