The report of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (UN GGE) 2015 encompasses principles of State sovereignty, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, applies to cyberspace; recognition that states must comply with their obligations under international law to respect and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, the agreement that UN should play a leading role in developing common understandings on the application of international law and norms, rules and principles for responsible State behaviour, other norms, rules, and principles on the responsible behaviour of states, confidence-building measures (CBMs), and an invitation for international cooperation and assistance in ICT security and capacity building.
The Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), initiated by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) of Switzerland in 2014, provides a neutral and inclusive space for digital policy debates, recognised by the majority of global actors as a platform where different views can be voiced. The GIP is operated by DiploFoundation.
The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) is convened in Dubai by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to review the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) for the first time since 1988. Concerns are raised on the impact of new reglulations on the future of the internet and internet governance. At the end of the two-week conference, negotiations end in a stalemate: Participants fail to reach consensus and states are bound by two sets of ITRs – the 2012 ones, signed by 89 countries vs the 1988 ones, valid for the rest of ITU member states.
The Working Group on Improvements to the IGF – created at the request of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly – issues a report outlining a serie of recommendations for strengthening the IGF. The recommendations are related to shaping The group was established by the Chair of the Commission of Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) and had a multistakeholder composition.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) launches the New gTLD Programme, opening up the Domain Name System (DNS) beyond the 22 generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in existence at that point. Withing the programme, over 1200 new gTLDs have been delegated as of August 2022.
In its December 2010 Resolution A/RES/65/141, the UN General Assembly decided to extend the mandate of the IGF for a further five years. The resolution also noted ‘the need to improve the Forum, with a view to linking it to the broader dialogue on global internet governance’.
