Open, inclusive Internet depends on enriched debate about policy creation, says global business

Pointing to the need to enrich the debate on policy creation, the world business organization has highlighted how a common approach across stakeholders will help achieve the full economic and social potential of the global Internet.

Delivering an opening address on behalf of BASIS, Chair Ilham Habibie stressed that the IGF, as an open, representative forum, is an ideal venue to foster the capacity building and policy discussion that are needed to realize the Internet’s global social and economic potential.

Addressing an IGF audience of up to 3,000 global business leaders, government officials, Internet technical experts and civil society representatives during the opening ceremony of the event in Istanbul today, Mr Habibie said: “This unique global forum provides an important opportunity for much-needed multistakeholder dialogue, but it is important that we continue to invest in the value that the IGF delivers. Improving the capacity building and knowledge transfer of the IGF is important to enhancing participation of and utility to developing countries. Enhanced participation and utility will enable the conversations and work of the IGF to help enhance the security, stability, privacy, resilience and interoperability of the global Internet, and the ability to obtain its economic and social benefits while ensuring compliance with the rule of law.”

“Businesses depend on a thriving Internet to operate in a variety of industry sectors and markets throughout the world,” he added. “In particular, businesses depend on a safe, secure, open, interoperable and sustainable Internet to function.” Mr Habibie however stressed a shared interest in a stable and sustainable Internet, and said that policy discussions must represent all participants across both developed and developing economies in private sector-led, multistakeholder and intergovernmental organizations.

“It is fundamental that we promote greater cooperation among existing organizations […] Faced with the creation of local barriers that threaten to disrupt the phenomenal global Internet growth that has occurred to date, it is vital we work together more closely to protect and advance the multistakeholder model in policy discussions.”

On behalf of BASIS members, Mr Habibie stressed the importance of not losing sight of the shared, continued need to focus on creating pro-growth, socially proactive policies designed to keep the Internet open for future generations. Recognizing the growing number of national and regional initiatives catalyzed by the IGF, he noted that the inclusive, bottom-up Internet governance model is key to the global community’s ability to adapt and effectively address changing technologies and issues.

Applauding organizers for efforts to extend the IGF to a broader audience via remote participation, Mr Habibie also encouraged the IGF to improve participants’ ability to share and implement lessons learned this week in Istanbul.

As part of its focus on the importance of multistakeholder mechanisms to promote policy that champions Internet openness and innovation, ICC BASIS will host two workshops at the IGF 2014:

• “Internet Technology and Policy: Privacy, Data Flows and Trust” – Day 1, September 2, 9.00-10.30, Room 7, Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre
• “Evaluating Multistakeholder Mechanisms to Address Governance Issues” – Day 2, September 3, 11.00-12.30, Room 7, Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre.

To learn more please visit: ICC BASIS initiative