ICC global business recommendations highlight Internet policy
priorities
ICC increased focus on development issues and constructive policy
discussions on Internet security. Openness and privacy initiatives are
among recommendations put forth on behalf of business to ensure that the
annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) remains the most effective
Internet-policy related event of the year.
IGF was established by the United Nations World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS Geneva 2003, Tunis 2005) to facilitate the
exchange of information and best practices on issues contributing to the
sustainability, stability and robustness of the Internet.
Every year, ICC BASIS organizes IGF business presence and
participation to raise awareness of what business needs to continue
contributing to the development of the information society, particularly
through more informed policy choices.
ICC BASIS members also participate in national and regional IGF
events throughout the year. ICC and its Business Action to Support
Information Society (BASIS) initiative members, from companies and
associations including AT&T, Global Information Infrastructure
Commission, Google, Nokia, Siemens Networks, Telefonica, Walt Disney
Company, Verisign, Verizon and World Information Technology and Services
Alliance, submitted the recommendations at the first round of open
consultations for the seventh IGF, which is set to take place in Baku,
Azerbaijan later this year.
The consultations, taking place today in Geneva, aim to shape the
programme for the next round of the IGF by taking stock and building on
the experience of last year's event, which took place in Nairobi.
As the European Commission proposes new legislation to reform the
EU's data protection rules, ICC BASIS underscores the importance of
frank discussions on such issues to ensure that Internet governance
remains in the hands of all Internet users and stakeholders.
"We strongly urge efficient and effective programme development
around issues relevant to participants from all sectors," the
recommendations said. "We encourage additional substantive dialogues on
the issues of cloud, security and privacy, transborder data flow, mobile
issues, infrastructure development and effective policy frameworks," it
said.
Applauding last year's forum in Nairobi, Kenya, the recommendations
also encourage building on discussions initiated at previous IGFs on
issues including the enabling policy and regulatory environment to
attract investment in necessary infrastructure, the use of mobile
Internet for disaster prediction and recovery efforts, freedom of
expression, the free flow of information and human rights, broadband
investment for developing countries, innovation, and growth of services
relating to information and communication technologies. |