Invitation to the Fourth Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum

UNDESA Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang

On behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, I am pleased to invite you to the fourth annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 15-18 November 2009, which is being graciously hosted by the Government of Egypt.

Participation will be open to all entities accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Other institutions and persons with proven expertise and experience in matters related to Internet governance may also apply to attend.

The overall theme of the meeting will be Internet Governance – Creating Opportunities for All. The theme reflects the basic purpose of the IGF to develop a common understanding of how to maximize the opportunities the Internet offers for all nations and peoples, and how to address the risks and challenges, while also raising awareness of the development dimension of Internet governance.

A broad-based consultation process through the Multistakeholder Advisory Group has generated the following proposed agenda for the meeting:

•    Managing critical internet resources;
•    Security, openness and privacy;
•    Access and diversity;
•    Internet governance in light of WSIS principles;
•    Emerging issues – impact of social networks; and
•    Taking stock and the way forward – desirability of the continuation of the Forum.

On the last item, regarding the future of the IGF beyond its five-year mandate, we would like to invite ideas and comments from all stakeholders and urge you to share your views with us at: http://www.intgovforum.org/cms/index.php/review-process.

I hope you will be able to join us in Sharm El Sheikh this November.

 


(Signed)
Sha Zukang
Under-Secretary-General
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)