Public policies enable the Internet to create opportunity and jobs

Addressing over 100 ministers and delegates at the Kenyan-ITU Ministerial forum, ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier noted that innovations, investments and economic growth will only occur in partnerships where fair and open approaches to Internet governance are sought. “Private sector investment and innovation plays an important role in driving such development and growth. We recognize that governments are critical allies and investors, and IGOs – including development activities supported by UNDP, development banks and others – create opportunities for advancing the development of businesses and entrepreneurship, through public/private partnerships,” he said. “No single entity or existing organization can provide the answer to new challenges. We need a new model, and business supports the multistakeholder approach to addressing these critical socio-economic challenges as we advance how the online world serves the world’s citizens.” During his remarks, Mr Carrier also outlined findings from a World Bank report which reveals that in low- and middle-income countries every 10 percentage point increase in broadband penetration accelerates economic growth by 1.38 percentage points. The IGF is a critical platform for ensuring these benefits can be extended to more developing countries as the next two billion users come online. Mr Carrier was speaking on behalf of the ICC Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS) initiative, and the ICC Commission on E-Business, IT and Telecoms (EBITT), which bring business expertise to every IGF from across sectors and geographies. Convened under the UN Secretary General, the IGF is a unique international platform that welcomes frank and open discussion on Internet governance issues from all interest groups including governments, business leaders, the technical community and civil society. Last year the Forum attracted over 1,200 registered participants as well as a host of remote participants.