In a meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Advisory Group and at subsequent consultations in Geneva this week, the International Chamber of Commerce will stress the importance of building institutions’ and people’s abilities to benefit from the Internet as a central theme for future discussions.

In a document delivered to the IGF, ICC’s Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) congratulated the event’s organizers on a successful first IGF in Athens last October and highlighted the critical importance of ensuring all stakeholders remain on an equal footing in every aspect of the IGF. ICC also noted the need for continued engagement of business, governments, civil society and the technical community in shaping future events and underlined discussions without negotiated conclusions as a fundamental principle of the forum.

“We are pleased with the start that was made in Athens,” said ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban. “In the future we hope to see greater focus on how to spread the benefits of the Internet to more people – with all stakeholders considering the conditions necessary to increase the use of the Internet and to develop the competencies and skills essential to greater participation.”

ICC’s executive in charge of ICT policy, Ayesha Hassan, and other BASIS members are part of the 46-member IGF Advisory Group, which includes government, business, civil society and technical community representatives from all regions of the world. The group is meeting today in Geneva and then joining a wider group of stakeholders for a stock-taking session to help prepare for the 2007 IGF meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 12 - 15 November.

Companies interested in knowing more about BASIS or ICC’s involvement in the Internet Governance Forum and other activities following the UN’s World Summit on the Information Society are encouraged to visit: www.iccwbo.org/basis  or contact  Ayesha Hassan .