WIC to host open forum during 2025 Internet Governance Forum

The World Internet Conference (WIC) will host an open forum themed on "Bridging the Digital Divide: Focusing on the Global South", during the 2025 United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which is scheduled to take place in Lillestrøm, Norway, from June 23 to 27. This marks the first time that the WIC organizes an event at the IGF.

Speakers at the open forum will include Li Junhua, under-secretary-general for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations; Francis Gurry, vice-chair of the WIC and former director general of WIPO; Tripti Sinha, chair of the Board of Directors of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; Nii Narku Quaynor, chairman of Ghana Dot Com and Internet Hall of Fame inductee; and Chern Choong Thum, WIC global youth leader and special functional officer at Ministry of Communications of Malaysia.

Participants will explore how to harness opportunities—particularly those arising from AI advancements—to dismantle developmental barriers in the Global South, effectively narrow the digital divide, and foster more balanced global digital progress, and will seek to unite stakeholders in building a more inclusive, human-centric, and sustainable digital future.

With the mission of building a global internet platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the WIC has been deepening cooperation with various parties including the Global South to promote innovative development of the internet and improve the global internet governance system. By hosting this open forum during the IGF, the WIC aims to continue its active engagement in the UN-led internet governance process, foster broad consensus among stakeholders, and contribute to building a more inclusive, prosperous, peaceful, secure, and equitable cyberspace.

The IGF is one of the main platforms under the UN framework for global discussions on internet governance. Over the past two decades since its inception, the IGF has been promoting discussions and dialogues among all stakeholders on public policies related to the internet.