|
Chair of the
Sub-Committee A (Internet Governance)
Chapter Three: Internet Governance
Chair’s paper
1. Introduction
39. We reaffirm the principles enunciated in the
Geneva phase of the WSIS, in December 2003, that the international management of
the Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full
involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international
organizations. It should ensure an equitable distribution of resources,
facilitate access for all and ensure a stable and secure functioning of the
Internet, taking into account multilingualism.
40. We thank the UN Secretary-General for establishing the
Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG). We commend the chairman and members
for their work and for their report.
41. We take note of the WGIG’s report that has endeavoured
to develop a working definition of Internet governance. It has helped identify
the public policy issues that are relevant to Internet governance. The report
has also crystallised our understanding of the respective roles and
responsibilities of governments, existing intergovernmental and international
organisations and other forums as well as the private sector and civil society
from both developing and developed countries.
42. Internet governance is the development and application
by governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles,
of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes
that shape the evolution and use of the Internet.
2. Stakeholders
43. We reaffirm that the management of the Internet
encompasses both technical and public policy issues and should involve all
stakeholders and relevant intergovernmental and international organizations. In
this respect it is recognized that:
-
Policy authority for Internet-related public policy issues
is the sovereign right of States. They have rights and responsibilities for
international Internet-related public policy issues;
-
The private sector has had and should continue to have an
important role in the development of the Internet, both in the technical and
economic fields;
-
Civil society has also played an important role on Internet
matters, especially at community level, and should continue to play such a
role;
-
Intergovernmental organizations have had and should continue
to have a facilitating role in the coordination of Internet-related public
policy issues;
-
International organizations have also had and should
continue to have an important role in the development of Internet-related
technical standards and relevant policies.
44. We seek to improve the coordination of the activities of
international and intergovernmental organisations and other institutions
concerned with Internet Governance and the exchange of information among
themselves. A multi-stakeholder approach should be adopted, as far as possible,
at all levels.
3. Public policy issues relevant to Internet Governance
3a) Infrastructure and management of critical Internet
resources
45. We recognise that, for historical reasons, the authorisation
of changes in the root zone file system of the Internet has rested with a single
government. We express our appreciation for the way in which this task has been
handled and acknowledge the priority given to the security, stability and
continuity of the Internet.
46. We strive to establish a transition to a new cooperation model that helps up
implement the “Geneva principles” regarding the role of governments and all
stakeholders. Institutional arrangements for Internet Governance should be
founded on a more solid democratic, transparent and multilateral basis, with a
stronger emphasis on the public policy interests of all governments, and with
clarification of the relationships among the different actors.
47. We seek to ensure balanced access to IP addressing resources on a
geographical basis.
48. We recognise the need for elaboration of policies concerning the management
and further development of the domain name space.
3b) Public policy issues related to the use of the Internet
49. We seek to counter the growing threats to the stability and
security of the Internet. We reaffirm that a global culture of cyber-security
needs to be promoted, developed and implemented in cooperation with all
stakeholders and international expert bodies. These efforts should be supported
by increased international cooperation. Within this global culture of
cyber-security, it is important to enhance security and to ensure the protection
of data and privacy, while enhancing access and trade. In addition, it must take
into account the level of social and economic development of each country and
respect the development-oriented aspects of the Information Society.
50. We underline the need to develop effective instruments and efficient
mechanisms for the prosecution of crimes using technological means, that are
committed in one jurisdiction but have effects in another. We call upon
governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders, to continue to develop
appropriate instruments and mechanisms, including treaties and enhanced
cooperation, to allow for effective criminal investigation and prosecution of
crimes committed in cyberspace as well as against networks and technological
resources. This should address the problem of cross-border jurisdiction,
regardless of the territory from which the crime was committed and/or the
location of the technological means used, while respecting sovereignty.
51. We resolve to deal effectively with the significant and growing problem
posed by spam. We call upon governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders,
to adopt a multi-pronged approach to counter spam. This would entail:
-
appropriate legislation and enforcement;
-
development of technical measures;
-
establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships;
-
awareness raising and user education of anti-spam measures;
-
development of a global and coordinated approach to the
problem.
52. We reaffirm our commitment to the freedom to seek, receive,
impart and use information for the creation, accumulation and dissemination of
knowledge. We urge that measures undertaken to ensure Internet stability and
security, to fight cybercrime and to counter spam do not violate the provisions
for freedom of expression as contained in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the WSIS Declaration of Principles.
53. We encourage those governments that have adopted legislation on privacy
and/or data protection to coordinate these measures, and their enforcement, with
other countries and we call upon those governments that have not yet developed
such measures to consider doing so, with the participation of all stakeholders.
54. We call for the policy and privacy requirements of global electronic
authentication systems to be developed through a multi-stakeholder process.
55. We note with satisfaction the increasing volume and value of the purchase of
goods and services using e-commerce, both within and across national boundaries.
We call for the development of consumer protection laws and enforcement
mechanisms to protect the rights of consumers during the online purchase of
goods and services, and for enhanced international cooperation to facilitate a
further expansion of the possibilities of e-commerce as well as consumer
confidence in it. 4. Measures to promote
development
56. We reaffirm our commitment to turning the digital divide into a digital
opportunity, and ensuring harmonious, fair and equitable development for all,
particularly for those who risk being left behind and being further
marginalized.
57. We maintain that the uneven sharing of the burden of
costs for international Internet connectivity should be redressed through
further dialogue. We call for affordable access to ICTs, including by:
-
Reducing international Internet costs charged by backbone
providers, supporting, inter alia, the creation and development of regional
ICT backbones and Internet Exchange Points to reduce interconnection cost
and broaden network access;
-
Encouraging ITU to continue the study of the question of the
International Internet Connectivity (IIC) as an urgent matter to develop
appropriate Recommendations.
-
Developing low-cost equipment, such as computers, especially
for use in developing countries.
58. We would work to enhance multi-stakeholder participation in
governance mechanisms. This would involved making available adequate resources
to build capacity in a range of areas relevant to Internet management at the
national level and to ensure effective participation in global Internet
governance, particularly for developing countries.
59. We urge international organizations, including intergovernmental
organizations where relevant, to ensure that all stakeholders, particularly from
developing countries, have the opportunity to participate in the determination
of policy decisions that affect them, and promote and support such
participation.
60. We commit to working earnestly towards multilingualization of the Internet,
as part of a multilateral, transparent and democratic process, involving
governments and all stakeholders. Specifically we would speed up the process for
the introduction of multilingualism in the area of domain names, including for
email addresses and keyword look-up.
61. We recognise that an enabling environment, at national and international
levels, is essential for the development of the Information Society, including
for the development and diffusion of the Internet and its optimal use.
5. Follow-up and Possible Future Arrangements
62. In reviewing the adequacy of existing institutional arrangements for
Internet Governance and for policy debate, we agree that some adjustments need
to be made to bring these into line with the “Geneva principles”. Accordingly,
we propose:
|
