Business applauds NETmundial for advancing multistakeholder Internet Governance
Paris, 7 May, 2014 – ICC BASIS (Business Action to Support the Information Society) has congratulated Brazil on the recently concluded NETmundial meeting and its contribution to the discussion of principles and values relating to the evolution of Internet governance processes. While consensus was not reached on all issues discussed at the meeting among stakeholders, spirited discussion and collaborative drafting resulted in a breadth of opinions as well as an outcomes document that will serve as a useful input to other forums and meetings addressing governance principles, issues, and processes. Business was pleased that the outcomes document not only reinforced the importance of meaningful multistakeholder participation in existing Internet governance processes and forums, but that it also reaffirmed the importance and value of the annual, UN-linked Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and its BASIS initiative have also praised NETmundial for aiding further consensus and dialogue on central issues being addressed at multiple, global forums, including the protection of the Internet as a vehicle of innovation and economic growth, respect for the rule of law, the importance of maintaining cross-border and global flows of information, and the vital importance of protecting and advancing the multistakeholder model in policy discussions.
“The success of NETmundial should not be measured in declarations or new commitments, but in how it helps to advance the multistakeholder model and set in motion talks that will add value to existing processes,” said Joe Alhadeff, Chair, ICC Commission on the Digital Economy. He added: “The meeting has reinforced the importance and validity of existing mechanisms, including the Internet Governance Forum, and the need for constructive dialogue on how to strengthen them.”
Despite divergent views on the content of a proposed roadmap for the evolution of Internet governance, business was gratified to see the importance placed on the orderly transition of the NTIA functions related to IANA. This was another important topic in the roadmap and business was encouraged by inclusion of all the NTIA operational conditions that must be met in this regard, including the need for a multistakeholder successor.
Voices not always heard in the global Internet governance debate were given a platform to join discussions that will directly influence policy development. Less developed economies, as well as the small business community and global citizens, were able to take advantage of opportunities to participate in the dialogue, both onsite, and via remote participation.
Alhadeff added: “ICC BASIS recognizes that NETmundial marked an important moment in the discussion of Internet governance, which has helped drive multistakeholder participation and encouraged greater geographic reach for Internet policy discussions.”
As an active participant in the discussions, ICC BASIS represented the international business community at NETmundial, working within its membership and with other global businesses and organizations, to contribute to dialogue that will feed into Internet governance meetings going forward, as appropriate.
About ICC
About The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
ICC is the largest, most representative business organization in the world. Its global network comprises over 6 million companies, chambers of commerce and business associations in more than 130 countries, with interests spanning every sector of private enterprise.
A world network of national committees keeps the ICC International Secretariat in Paris informed about national and regional business priorities. More than 2,000 experts drawn from ICC’s member companies feed their knowledge and experience into crafting the ICC stance on specific business issues.
The United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the G20 and many other intergovernmental bodies, both international and regional, are kept in touch with the views of international business through ICC.
For more information please visit: www.iccwbo.org
About Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS)
ICC created BASIS to raise awareness among the public, governments, civil society, intergovernmental organizations and technical community of what business requires to continue contributing to the development of the Information Society. It serves as the voice of business in the global dialogue on the Information Society, following two World Summits on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005).
To promote the environment in which business around the world will continue to thrive as an innovator of information and communication technologies, BASIS participates in UN-linked forums set up to continue the dialogue, such as the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the WSIS follow up and implementation processes, particularly through the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development.
To help shape the agenda and participate in these global discussions, BASIS relies on the policies developed in ICC’s Commission on the Digital Economy as the foundation for its efforts.
BASIS builds on the activities and network of the Coordinating Committee of Business Interlocutors (CCBI), which ICC formed to coordinate participation by world business in the processes leading up to, and at WSIS.
BASIS members include business organizations such as the Africa Information & Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA), the Computer Society of India, and the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) as well as several ICC national committees and companies from across sectors and geographies.
For further information regarding BASIS, the partners, members and activities, visit:
www.iccwbo.org/basis
