[Ecommerce] WSIS Text on Internet Governance

[James Love]

This was the final WSIS text on Internet Governance.   It will be
eventually be rolled into a larger document with some changes in
numbering.    Jamie

Document WSIS-II/PC-3/DT/15 (Rev. 5)-E
15 November 2005
Original: English

Chair, Sub-Committee A (Internet Governance)
Chapter Three: Internet Governance
Chair=92s Paper (SECTION FIVE)

PREAMBLE

62.=09We recognise that the existing arrangements for Internet governance
have worked effectively to make the Internet the highly robust, dynamic
and geographically diverse medium that it is today, with the private
sector taking the lead in day-to-day operations, and with innovation and
value creation at the edges. (Agreed)

63.=09The Internet remains a highly dynamic medium and therefore any
framework and mechanisms designed to deal with Internet Governance should
be inclusive and responsive to the exponential growth and fast evolution
of the Internet as a common platform for the development of multiple
applications. (Agreed)

64.=09The security and stability of the Internet must be maintained. (Agree=
d)

65. =09We recognise that Internet Governance includes more than Internet
naming and addressing. It also includes other significant public policy
issues such as, inter alia, critical Internet resources, the security and
safety of the Internet, and developmental aspects and issues pertaining to
the use of the Internet. (Agreed)

New 65A. We recognise that Internet Governance includes social, economic
and technical issues including affordability, reliablity and quality of
service. (Agreed)

66.=09We further recognize that there are many cross-cutting international
public policy issues that require attention and are not adequately
addressed by the current mechanisms. (Agreed)

67.=09We are convinced that there is a need to initiate, and reinforce, as
appropriate, a transparent, democratic, and multilateral process, with the
participation of governments, private sector, civil society and
international organizations, in their respective roles. This process could
envisage creation of a suitable framework or mechanisms, where justified,
thus spurring the ongoing and active evolution of the current arrangements
in order to synergise the efforts in this regard. (AGREED)

68.=09We emphasize that any Internet Governance approach should be inclusiv=
e
and responsive and should continue to promote an enabling environment for
innovation, competition and investment. (Agreed)

69.=09Countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another
country=92s ccTLD. Their legitimate interests, as expressed and defined by
each country, in diverse ways, regarding decisions affecting their ccTLDs,
need to be respected, upheld and addressed via a flexible and improved
framework and mechanisms. (Agreed)

[70.=09Deleted.]

71.=09We recognize the need for further development of, and strengthened
co-operation among, stakeholders for public policies for generic top-level
domain names (gTLDs). (Agreed)

72.=09We underline the need to maximise the participation of developing
countries in decisions regarding Internet Governance, which should reflect
their interests, as well as in development and capacity-building. (Agreed)

[73.=09Deleted].

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENEVA PRINCIPLES

74.=09In view of the continuing internationalization of the Internet and th=
e
principle of universality, we agree to implement the Geneva Principles
regarding Internet Governance. (Agreed)

New 74A. We agree, inter alia, to invite the UN Secretary-General to
convene a new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue. (Agreed)

New 74B (ex para 49).=09We recognize that all governments should have an
equal role and responsibility, for international Internet governance and
for ensuring the stability, security and continuity of the Internet. We
also recognize the need for development of public policy by governments in
consultation with all stakeholders. (Agreed)

Alt 75B. Using relevant international organisations, such cooperation
should include the development of globally-applicable principles on public
policy issues associated with the coordination and management of critical
Internet resources. In this regard, we call upon the organisations
responsible for essential tasks associated with the Internet to contribute
to creating an environment that facilitates this development of public
policy principles. (Agreed)

Alt 75C. The process towards enhanced cooperation, to be started by the UN
Secretary-General, involving all relevant organisations by the end of the
first quarter of 2006, will involve all stakeholders in their respective
roles, will proceed as quickly as possible consistent with legal process,
and will be responsive to innovation.
Relevant organisations should commence a process towards enhanced
cooperation involving all stakeholders, proceeding as quickly as possible
and responsive to innovation. The same relevant organisations shall be
requested to provide annual performance reports. (Agreed)

FORUM

76.=09We ask the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in an open and
inclusive process, to convene, by the second quarter of 2006, a meeting of
the new forum for multi-stakeholder policy dialogue=97called the Internet
Governance Forum (IGF).The mandate of the Forum is to:
a)=09Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet
Governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security,
stability and development of the Internet;
b)=09Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different
cross-cutting international public policies regarding the Internet and
discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body;
c)=09Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organisations and other
institutions on matters under their purview;
d)=09Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this
regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and
technical communities;
e)=09Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the
availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world;
f)=09Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing
and/or future Internet Governance mechanisms, particularly those from
developing countries;
g)=09Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant
bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make
recommendations;
h)=09Contribute to capacity-building for Internet Governance in developing
countries, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;
i)=09Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS
principles in Internet Governance processes;
j)=09Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources;
k)=09Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse o=
f
the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users;
l)=09Publish its proceedings. (Agreed)
77.=09The Internet Governance Forum, in its working and function, will be
multilateral, multi-stakeholder, democratic and transparent. To that end,
the proposed IGF could:
a)=09Build on the existing structures of Internet Governance, with special
emphasis on the complementarity between all stakeholders involved in this
process =96 governments, business entities, civil society and
inter-governmental organisations;
b)=09Have a lightweight and decentralised structure that would be subject t=
o
periodic review;
c)=09Meet periodically, as required. IGF meetings, in principle, may be hel=
d
in parallel with major relevant UN conferences, inter alia, to use
logistical support. (Agreed)

New 77A=09We encourage the UN Secretary-General to examine a range of
options for the convening of the Forum, taking into consideration the
proven competencies of all stakeholders in Internet Governance and the
need to ensure their full involvement. (Agreed)

New 77B. The UN Secretary-General would report to UN Member States
periodically on the operation of the Forum. (Agreed)

New 77C. We ask the UN Secretary-General to examine the desirability of
the continuation of the Forum, in formal consultation with Forum
participants, within five years of its creation, and to make
recommendations to the UN Membership in this regard. (Agreed)

78.=09The IGF would have no oversight function and would not replace
existing arrangements, mechanisms, institutions or organisations, but
would involve them and take advantage of their expertise. It would be
constituted as a neutral, non-duplicative and non-binding process. It
would have no involvement in day-to-day or technical operations of the
Internet. (Agreed)

79.=09The UN Secretary-General should extend invitations to all stakeholder=
s
and relevant parties to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF,
taking into consideration balanced geographical representation. The UN
Secretary-General should also:
a)  draw upon any appropriate resources from all interested stakeholders,
including the proven expertise of ITU, as demonstrated during the WSIS
process; and
b) establish an effective and cost-efficient bureau to support the IGF,
ensuring multi-stakeholder participation. (Agreed)

80.=09Diverse matters relating to Internet Governance would continue to be
addressed in other relevant fora. (Agreed)

81.=09We encourage the development of multi-stakeholder processes at the
national, regional and international levels to discuss and collaborate on
the expansion and diffusion of the Internet as a means to support
development efforts to achieve internationally-agreed development goals
and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. (Agreed)

82.=09We reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the Geneva
Principles. (Agreed)
New 83.=09We welcome the generous offer of the Government of Greece to host
the first meeting of the IGF in Athens no later than 2006 and we call upon
the UN Secretary-General to extend invitations to all stakeholders and
relevant parties to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF.
(Agreed)

--
James Love
http://www.cptech.org mailto:james.love@cptech.org
Tel. +1.202.332.2670, mobile +1.202.361.3040, in Tunis till 17th,
+216.22.023.857