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IGF 2025 Securing Access to the Internet and Protecting Core Internet Resources in Contexts of Conflict and Crises

This main session is examining the importance of securing Internet access and protecting core Internet resources in contexts of conflict and crisis situations and is organised by the IGF Best Practice Forum on Securing Access to the Internet and Protecting Core Internet Resources in Contexts of Conflict and Crises, one of the IGF intersessional activities of the 2025 cycle. The session at the IGF serves as a cornerstone for the BPF's activities that span beyond the annual meeting in June.

The session is driven by the draft problem statement that there is a clear and pressing need to clarify applicable norms, and the roles and responsibilities of different parts of the multistakeholder Internet community - and the institutions within it - in securing core Internet resources and ensuring civilian access to the Internet during conflicts and crises. 

Session objectives

  • discuss and gather stakeholder input to complete and refine the problem statement
  • examine applicable norms and normative frameworks, as well as any gaps or missing links
  • identify next steps and inform the direction of future actions under the BPF 

Call for written input : Stakeholders and invited to provide written feedback on the draft problem statement. Details are in the Call for written input. 

Session outline

  1. Opening and setting the scene
    1. Welcome and introduction
    2. Presentation of the BPF, the BPF 2025 topic and Objectives of the session
    3. Message of the UN Office on Disarmament Affairs
    4. Presentation of the BPF's draft problem statement and initial community feedback
  2. Case studies
    1. Brief case studies will cover examples of destruction of infrastructure and disruption of access in conflict context, caused by natural disaster, and disruption in the management of core resources.
  3. Discussion round 1:   Normative Frameworks 
    1. Reflecting on the different cases, what existing norms apply to the context of securing access and protecting core Internet infrastructure? Are they sufficient? Is there a need for adapting norms? Are there gaps to be filled?
    2. Does the existing work on the norm to protect the public core apply to this context? If so, how?
    3. Do Human Rights norms and International Humanitarian Law provide another angle to look at this context?
  4. Discussion round 2: Accountability Frameworks and the Role of Stakeholders
    1. What accountability frameworks would support compliance with the relevant norms? Which institutions have a role in this contexts? What is the role of different stakeholders?
  5. Next Steps and future actions under the BPF
  6. Wrap up


Moderation, topic leads, panel

  • Dennis Broeders, University of Leiden
  • Madeline Carr, University College London
  • Chantal Joris, Article19
  • Jalal Abukhater, 7amleh
  • Marwa Fatafta, Access Now
  • Pablo Hinojosa
  • Valeria Betancourt, MAG Member, BPF co-facilitator, remote moderator
  • Anriette Esterhuysen, BPF co-facilitator, session moderator
  • Wim Degezelle, BPF consultant, IGF Secretariat 

 

BPF webpage :  https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/bpf-cybersecurity