ICC global business highlight internet policy priorities

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has increased its focus on development issues and constructive policy discussions on internet security to meet the modern day needs.

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, International Chamber of Commerce Chairman Tissa Jayaweera told Daily News Business.

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, he said.

Every year, ICC’s Business Action to Support Information Society (BASIS) organizes IGF business presence and participation to raise awareness of what business needs to continue in 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 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, took place recently in Geneva, aim to shape the program 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, Jayaweera said.

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.

Among the recommendations are strongly request for efficient and effective program development around issues relevant to participants from all sectors.

Further, the recommendations encourage additional substantive dialogues on the issues of cloud, security and privacy, transborder data flow, mobile issues, infrastructure development and effective policy frameworks.

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.