Feven Alemu’s Post

++ Africa Internet Governance Forum to Spotlight Cybersecurity, AI, and Digital Rights in Addis Ababa ++ The Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) Secretariat, in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, will be hosting the 13th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) from 20 to 22 November 2024 at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This year’s theme, “Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for Africa,” reflects the forum’s commitment to inclusive and collaborative approaches to addressing internet governance issues across the continent. The forum will gather a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society representatives, technical experts, and young innovators, to engage in discussions that are shaping Africa’s digital landscape. #techafricanews #africa #internet #governance #forum #partnership #innovation #society #representatives #digital #landscape

Join us at #RAID2024 tomorrow to take in this panel discussion on Internet Regulation: Order in the New Frontier. Our panellists will cover a range of subjects ⬇️ 🌍 Regional Approaches: Explore diverse national strategies for safeguarding internet user rights and the implications for global internet governance. 🛡️ Self-Regulation in the Digital Age: Gain insights into how platform companies are proactively regulating their activities to protect users and maintain trust. 📜 DSA and OSA Implementation: Understand the impact of incoming regulations on companies and the importance of cross-border regulatory coordination in ensuring a harmonized approach. REGISTER to take part: https://lnkd.in/eF6x4Rrv Speakers include: Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Former Prime Minister, France and Chairman, Fondation Prospective & Innovation, Camilla Bustani, Director, International, Ofcom (UK communications regulator); Collen Weapond, Commissioner, South African Information Regulator (#SAIR) and their moderator Rahul Singhal, Strategy Consulting Leader, KPMG #internetregulation #safeguarding #governance

On 13 November, the United Nations announced that Norway will host the 2025 Internet Governance Forum #IGF, following a thorough and competitive selection process, in which several countries expressed interest. Scheduled for #June2025, this five-day forum is set to be the largest UN meeting ever held in Norway, with an expected 4,000 in-person participants and an equal number of virtual attendees. The #IGF, established nearly two decades ago, serves as a global platform for dialogue on internet governance, bringing together stakeholders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss key public policy issues related to the internet. As part of ongoing efforts to contribute to global discussions on emerging digital challenges, at the forthcoming IGF, held in Riyadh next December, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), will present the report on the Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) compiled by its Centre for Global Studies (CGS) The report entitled “AI and Emerging Technologies: Security, Legislation, And Governance”, produced in partnership with CTED and UNOCT, is conceived as a “living document”. It provides in-depth information and an overview of the state-of-art of international and national legislations and instruments, to address and regulate the growing threat posed by the misuse of AI and innovative technologies by terrorist and criminal organizations. On its side, PAM is endeavouring to engage CGS in structured partnerships with global stakeholders at the IGF, and advancing cooperation on AI’s role in global security, internet governance, and its broader societal impact. #IGF2024 #InternetGovernance #ArtificialIntelligence #PAMCGS #GlobalSecurity #Norway #DigitalPolicy #InternationalCooperation #UN Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dR65TX6N

The Internet Society Lesotho Chapter (ISOC Lesotho) is dedicated to promoting the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet in Lesotho. Chartered in 2018, the chapter aligns with the global Internet Society's mission to ensure the Internet remains open, transparent, and accessible to everyone. With approximately 160 members, ISOC Lesotho engages in various initiatives to inform policy and educate the public on Internet-related issues, offering a local perspective on emerging global Internet concerns. ISOC Lesotho actively participates in the advocacy and development of Internet standards and policies, working to enhance safe and equitable Internet access within the country. Key figures in the organisation include Letsatsi Phinehas Lekhooa, the Chapter President, Mamoqenelo Morolong, the Chapter Secretary, Monaheng Diaho, the Chapter Treasurer, and Maneo Mapharisa, Nthabiseng Pule, Reuben Makoae, mamaria mpojane, Thato Mampe, † Tieho Mochebelele †, Mosebetsi Khobotlo. They lead efforts to promote policies that support an open and secure Internet environment in Lesotho, reflecting the broader goals of the Internet Society. The chapter's activities include running programmes and hosting events that address critical issues such as technology infrastructure, digital rights, cybersecurity, network neutrality, and the implications of Internet policies. By fostering cooperation and mutual respect, ISOC Lesotho aims to contribute to innovative and lasting solutions for Internet governance challenges. More information about their work and initiatives can be found on their official website, www.isoc.org.ls. Anja Gengo Victor Ndonnang, PMP Internet Society United Nations

What you might have missed this week: 📢 Hungarian Presidency of the Council: Priorities for Digitalisation 🌐 Starting 1 July 2024, Hungary will preside over the Council of the European Union with priorities on digitalisation, such as: 1️⃣ Leading a European-level discussion on the impact of emerging technologies on competitiveness and sustainability. 2️⃣ Evaluating the implementation of the Digital Services Act & Digital Markets Act. 3️⃣ Initiating consultations and exchanges for implementing the AI Act. 4️⃣ Supporting the implementation of the European Digital Identity Regulation (#eIDAS2), the Interoperable Europe Act, and the Single Digital Gateway Regulation. 5️⃣ Continuing dialogue for high-level European cybersecurity and reviewing the Cybersecurity Act. 6️⃣ Exploring AI applications in justice to improve access and digitisation of judicial processes. Read the priorities: https://lnkd.in/gwepTmkD 🌍Achievements of the European Commission on Europe's Digital Decade 🌐 The current European Commission's term of office runs until 31 October 2024 with the following achievements in digital policy: 🔹 Launching the #DigitalIdentityWallet for secure, EU-wide personal data protection by 2026. 🔹 Europe is home to three of the world's most powerful #supercomputers. 🔹 Under #NextGenerationEU, the target of 20% digital investment has been exceeded, benefiting 18 million households with high-speed Internet and 247 million users with improved digital services. 🔹 Pioneering the #AI Act for safe, human-centred AI and the Data Acts to unlock data sharing. 🔹 Strengthening #resilience through the NIS2 Directive, Cyber Resilience Act, and Cyber Solidarity Act. Explore the achievements: https://lnkd.in/ekwBVBE6 📢Stakeholder Consultation on the Digital Europe Programme 🌐 The European Commission has initiated a 12-week open stakeholder consultation on the Digital Europe Programme (#DIGITAL). This #consultation aims to gather valuable insights into the digital transformation needs, benefits, and areas for improvement from a diverse range of stakeholders, including SMEs, NGOs, academia, social partners, public authorities, and citizens across EU Member States and associated countries. The consultation closes on 20 September 2024. Participate in the consultation: https://lnkd.in/deW32GrK #DigitalEurope #Innovation #EU2024HU

🌟 NRD Companies is proud to be part of EuroDIG - European Dialogue on Internet Governance conference in Vilnius, Lithuania!   EuroDIG is a unique annual event that brings together Internet stakeholders from throughout Europe (and beyond), and from across the spectrum of government, industry, civil society, academia and the technical community. Our Consulting Business Lead, Ieva Žilionienė, moderated one of the EuroDIG’s session "GovTech Dynamics: Navigating Innovation and Challenges in Public Services," where she guided discussions on the latest trends and challenges in government technology. Additionally, Ieva spoke at the panel discussion "Empowering Communities: Partnerships for Access to Services." This session focused on technical and strategic solutions, exploring how various stakeholders can collaboratively tackle digital inequality, benefiting citizens in Europe and beyond. EuroDIG conference covered a broad array of topics focusing on digital accessibility, security, internet governance, and the impact of emerging technologies. Key sessions included discussions on the European Accessibility Act, strengthening DNS security, and the implications of the NIS2 Directive. A significant portion of the program was dedicated to European policies and strategies, including AI, enhancing cyber resilience, child safety online, and rural connectivity. GovTech discussions highlighted digitalizing public services and data governance with a "citizen first" approach, and empowering communities through partnerships for access to services. EuroDIG is more than just a conference, it's a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas and dialogue on the critical issues facing the Internet today. It was a great opportunity to attend such an informative and beneficial event and share our experience and best practices. #EuroDIG2024 #InternetGovernance #GovTech #DigitalEquality  

https://lnkd.in/dJB8JWtc "The initiative makes clear China's stance and position in advancing global cross-border data flow cooperation, advocates the principles of openness, inclusiveness, security, cooperation, and non-discrimination, advances the building of an open and mutually beneficial landscape of international cross-border data flow cooperation, and promotes efficient, smooth and secure cross-border data flow, according to Lin. This is another important initiative on data that China issued after the release of the Global Initiative on Data Security. (...) On Wednesday, at the main forum of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, the Cyberspace Administration of China released the full text of the Global Data Flow Cooperation Initiative. The initiative calls for balancing the relationships between digital technology innovation, digital economy development, digital society advancement, and the protection of national security, public interest, personal privacy, and intellectual property rights. It seeks to achieve various countries' legitimate policy objectives while promoting cross-border data flows." #datatransfer #dataflows #personaldata #personalprivacy #datasecurity

Regulators at the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) in Kampala, Uganda, have endorsed the "GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines" to maximize the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies. These guidelines aim to balance innovation with regulation, ensuring a positive societal and economic impact from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The symposium, organized by the International Telecommunication Union , brought together over 600 participants, including Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and academics, to discuss pressing regulatory issues. Key discussions at GSR-24 focused on leveraging AI for network planning and fraud prevention while addressing challenges related to privacy, bias, and job displacement. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the need for inclusive and innovative regulatory approaches to bridge the digital divide and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Uganda's Vice-President, H.E. Ms. Jessica Alupo, highlighted the importance of ICT for economic transformation.

In the lead up to #ParticipediaSchool2024, let's highlight transnational cases from around the world. Our first case comes from the Transnational Citizens’ Assemblies Collection, and focuses on the importance of global communication. In October 2020, Missions Publiques initiated the “We, The Internet” project, part of which included the Global Citizens' Dialogue on the Future of the Internet. Over 5500 participants from 70 countries participated in hybrid group discussions on a range of topics including digital technologies, identity, privacy, disinformation, and AI. There were 5 key takeaways from this project - including that citizens, globally, hold both reservations and confidence in the world’s digital future - that were presented at the 2020 Internet Governance Forum (IGF). This interesting case highlights the importance of gathering citizens’ views on the technological developments and issues of our world, because those impacted should be involved in the decision making process. Check out the link in to read the full case entry 🌍 ➡ https://lnkd.in/emru8UT3 Image Credit: We, The Internet, Missions Publiques