Session
Dynamic Coalition on Small Island Developing States in the Internet Economy
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The DC-SIDS Sessions are not panelist driven, neither are they workshops. They are collaborative sessions led by moderators, where every participant has an equal voice/say. The Annual IGF DC-SIDS Roundtable is an opportunity to bring together stakeholders from over 50 countries (and others who support or who are interested in SIDS issues)
Full Roundtable Title: From Discussion to Action - Translating the 2nd SIDS IGF Outputs into Tangible Actions Description
The 2nd SIDS IGF held in the margins of the SIDS4 Conference in Antigua & Barbuda from 28-29 May 2024 (see https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/sids2024 and https://ctu.int/event/2nd-small-island-developing-states-internet-gover…), highlighted the unique hurdles and challenges faced by Small Island Developing States in harnessing the full potential of the digital economy. The 2024 Annual UN-IGF DC-SIDS Roundtable delves into concrete strategies that translate the key outcomes of the 2nd SIDS IGF into action. Join policymakers, industry leaders, civil society, and SIDS representatives for a focused dialogue on:
+ Collaborative Policy Frameworks: How can SIDS work regionally to create enabling policies that foster innovation and investment in the digital economy?
+ Capacity Building for the Future: What targeted digital skills programs are needed to empower SIDS citizens, entrepreneurs, and governments to become leaders in the digital world?
+ Resilient Infrastructure Investment: How can public-private partnerships accelerate the development of disaster-proof connectivity solutions essential for SIDS?
+ Data Sovereignty and Community Empowerment: What models promote data protection and governance while empowering SIDS communities to make informed decisions about their digital futures? Outcomes: - Identification of actionable steps for SIDS and their stakeholders focused on overcoming key internet governance challenges - Sharing of best practices and models that have proven successful in other SIDS contexts - Fostering partnerships and collaboration opportunities for accelerated progress Format: - Brief introduction by the moderator with opening statements from key discussants - Structured discussion with ALL participants focused on the core themes, with examples of real-world solutions - Targeted Q&A session with the audience for enhanced engagement
Kindly note that, as is usual with the Annual DC-SIDS IGF Meeting, our format is not one that uses a "talking heads" approach, rather it utilizes the pioneering "Roundtable" approach we introduced at IGF 2012 whereby the session is led by topic discussants, with full participation and engagement from all meeting participants both online and onsite throughout the meeting.
Tracy Hackshaw, Trinidad & Tobago Multistakeholder Advisory Group, Technical Community, GRULAC Maureen Hilyard, ICANN At Large Advisory Committee, Civil Society, APAC
In this regard, a list of "speakers", in the traditional sense, is not something that we propose utilizing. We have identified a volunteer list of discussants, based on DC-SIDS Mailing List discussions. Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), Government-International Governmental Organization (IGO), GRULAC-Barbados Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui, PICISOC; Niue Member of Parliament; ISP owner - MakaNet (NZ), Asia Pacific-Niue Mahen Busgopaul, Halley Movement; Mauritius IGF, Indian Ocean IGF, Deputy Presiding Officer (East Africa) – African Union ECOSOCC, Civil Society, Africa-Mauritius Cherie Lagakali, PICISOC; Pacific Manager, NetSafe New Zealand; MSG, APRIGF, Asia Pacific-Fiji Andrew Molivurae, PICISOC Board Vice Chair; PacIGF Chair, Asia Pacific-Vanuatu Genelle Lake, GRULAC-Trinidad and Tobago Michele Marius, Director, ICT Pulse Consulting Limited, Editor and Publisher of ICT Pulse, Host of the ICT Pulse Podcast, Private Sector, GRULAC-Jamaica Pua Hunter, PICISOC; GAC-ICANN; Director, ICT Unit, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Asia Pacific-Cook Islands June Parris, Member, CIVICUS, Civil Society, GRULAC-Barbados Patrick Hosein, TTNIC, GRULAC-Trinidad and Tobago Lance Hinds, ICANN ALAC, CEO, Brainstreet Group, Civil Society, GRULAC-Guyana Niel Harper, GRULAC-Barbados Carlton Samuels, GRULAC-Jamaica
Tracy Hackshaw
Maureen Hilyard
Internet Society 2024 Youth Ambassador (Rapporteur)
1. No Poverty
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
10. Reduced Inequalities
Targets: The ongoing thrust to collaborate and cooperate digitally within the SIDS meets many of the SDG targets outlined. Digital cooperation and collaboration can help promote economic growth and job creation. It can also help improve access to education and healthcare. In addition, it can help promote sustainable development by reducing the environmental impact of economic activities. Specific goals that the SIDS Digital Cooperation and Collaboration can help achieve include: Goal 1: No Poverty - can help promote economic growth and job creation. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being - can help improve access to healthcare. Goal 4: Quality Education - can help improve access to education. Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - can help promote sustainable development by reducing the environmental impact of economic activities. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - can help promote diversity and digital inclusion within and among the SIDS. To align with the SDGs, a SIDS Digital Cooperation and Collaboration should be designed to be inclusive and accessible to all. It should also be designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Finally, it should be designed to promote collaboration between different stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia.
Report
Connectivity Challenges and Infrastructure: Unequal Access & Digital Divide: The roundtable highlighted the vast geographical challenges in connecting participants in the Pacific region. As one speaker stated, "the challenges of gathering participants from the Pacific region due to its vastness" were a significant hurdle to overcome. This vastness contributes to limited collaboration and the need for increased local initiatives.
Submarine Cables & Contrasting Challenges: The discussion highlighted the importance of submarine cable infrastructure, noting both the progress made by some countries (like Kobal with its first submarine cable), and the urgent need for "enhanced submarine cable resiliency in the Caribbean region," due to vulnerabilities of relying on single systems. The potential impact of geopolitical tensions on cable infrastructure was also discussed along wi
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Persons and Children with Disabilities: A significant focus was placed on advocacy and projects aimed at enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities. One speaker highlighted their work on a data hub to "enhance data collection and accessibility for the community," including the creation of a data governance policy that is "inclusive and user-friendly, featuring tools like a sign language video." Early inte
Increase Regional Collaboration & Youth Engagement: Encourage greater collaboration between SIDS in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, particularly in sharing knowledge, infrastructure, and policy best practices. This must include knowledge-sharing outside of the traditional IGF framework. Prioritise and support youth-driven initiatives in internet governance, with focus on resource mobilisation for their participation in global forums, and a bet
Infrastructure Resilience, Funding & Implementation: Work towards enhancing submarine cable resilience, particularly in the Caribbean, exploring collaborative solutions. Address the challenges faced in securing funding for implementing national digital strategies and policies, as highlighted in the discussion.
United Nations #IGF2024 DC-SIDS Annual Roundtable
Date: 19th October 2024
Subject: Review of Key Themes and Action Points from the DC-SIDS Annual Roundtable Document Prepared by: Bard
1. Introduction
This document summarises the key discussions, themes, and action points arising from the United Nations #IGF2024 DC-SIDS Annual Roundtable. The meeting focused on translating the outputs of the SIDS IGF 2024 into concrete actions, with a particular emphasis on collaboration and addressing the unique digital challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and Caribbean regions. The roundtable brought together regional representatives, experts, and advocates to discuss digital infrastructure, internet governance, inclusion, and sustainable development.
2. Key Themes and Discussions
- Connectivity Challenges and Infrastructure:Unequal Access: The roundtable highlighted the vast geographical challenges in connecting participants in the Pacific region. As one speaker stated, "the challenges of gathering participants from the Pacific region due to its vastness" were a significant hurdle to overcome. This vastness contributes to limited collaboration and the need for increased local initiatives.
- Digital Divide: There's a clear acknowledgement of the "connectivity gaps" that hinder digital inclusion, particularly in remote communities.
- Submarine Cables: The discussion highlighted the importance of submarine cable infrastructure, noting both the progress made by some countries (like Kobal with its first submarine cable), and the urgent need for "enhanced submarine cable resiliency in the Caribbean region," due to vulnerabilities of relying on single systems. The potential impact of geopolitical tensions on cable infrastructure was also discussed.
- Contrasting Challenges: A key point of discussion was the difference in telecommunication challenges between the Pacific and Caribbean, with Pacific nations having infrastructure but seeking fair compensation from tech companies while Caribbean nations grapple with the lack of support for building infrastructure.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility:Persons with Disabilities: A significant focus was placed on advocacy and projects aimed at enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities. One speaker highlighted their work on a data hub to "enhance data collection and accessibility for the community," including the creation of a data governance policy that is "inclusive and user-friendly, featuring tools like a sign language video."
- Children with Disabilities: Early intervention programs and collaboration with governments to ensure equitable education for learners with disabilities were also discussed, "especially those who are hard of hearing."
- Youth Engagement: There was recognition of the importance of engaging young people in internet governance. One speaker stated, "Recommendations were made to enhance the visibility of the Cy IGF and support youth-driven initiatives," stressing the need for resource mobilisation for youth participation in global Internet governance forums."
- Remote Communities: Participants emphasised the importance of inclusiveness with regards to the motto of the IGF, with some expressing gratitude for significant contributions made in this area, highlighting past involvement and ongoing initiatives that aim to bridge gaps in digital access, including the establishment of over 200 sites.
- Regional Collaboration and Cooperation:Multistakeholder Engagement: The discussion highlighted the history of multistakeholder discussions in the Pacific, noting the establishment of the Pacific Internet Governance Forum (IgF) in 2018.
- Knowledge Sharing: The need for enhanced collaboration and communication between Pacific and Caribbean regions was stressed, with participants calling for "more meeting opportunities outside of the IGF framework to share knowledge and strategies".
- Regional Cooperation: there was a strong focus on promoting regional cooperation in ICT.
- Internet Governance and Policy:Local Initiatives: The roundtable recognised the importance of local efforts in digitalization, with emphasis on "local individuals working on digital initiatives in small island nations".
- National Strategies: Many participants described the launch of national ICT policies and strategies in their respective countries, while highlighting the funding and implementation challenges.
- Fair Compensation: The challenge of fair compensation for telecoms providers in the Pacific region from big tech companies was also a notable point, as opposed to a complete lack of infrastructure support for operators in the Caribbean.
- Sustainability and Resilience:Climate Resilience: The importance of submarine cable infrastructure for climate resilience was noted during the discussions, with concerns about the impact of natural disasters and the need for sustainable digital practices.
- Cybersecurity: The speakers also touched on cybersecurity as an important factor in their initiatives for persons with disabilities.
3. Key Quotes
- "the challenges of gathering participants from the Pacific region due to its vastness" – Highlighting geographical limitations
- "enhance data collection and accessibility for the community, featuring tools like a sign language video" - Demonstrating efforts towards disability inclusivity
- "enhanced submarine cable resiliency in the Caribbean region," - Emphasizing vulnerabilities and the need for a solution
- "Recommendations were made to enhance the visibility of the Cy IGF and support youth-driven initiatives," - Focusing on youth and their engagement
- "more meeting opportunities outside of the IGF framework to share knowledge and strategies." - Stressing the need for regular and consistent dialogue
4. Action Points and Recommendations
- Enhanced Communication: The need for more frequent meetings, both online and in-person, was highlighted. The creation of a Google Group and a Google Document for information sharing were concrete steps proposed for improved communication, as one speaker stated, "There's a proposal to create a Google document as a platform to facilitate this sharing of information".
- Regional Collaboration: Encourage greater collaboration between SIDS in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, particularly in sharing knowledge, infrastructure, and policy best practices. This must include knowledge-sharing outside of the traditional IGF framework.
- Youth Engagement: Prioritise and support youth-driven initiatives in internet governance, with focus on resource mobilisation for their participation in global forums, and a better understanding of their priorities.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Work towards enhancing submarine cable resilience, particularly in the Caribbean, exploring collaborative solutions.
- Funding and Implementation: Address the challenges faced in securing funding for implementing national digital strategies and policies, as highlighted in the discussion.
- Inclusive Practices: Continue to promote and support initiatives focused on digital accessibility for persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups, ensuring data collection is user-friendly.
5. Conclusion
The DC-SIDS Annual Roundtable served as a crucial platform to discuss the unique digital challenges and opportunities faced by SIDS. The meeting highlighted the vital need for collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainable practices to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all communities can benefit from the digital age. The various action points and recommendations offer a framework for continued progress and regional cooperation within the SIDS community.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue these discussions and build on the progress achieved. Participants expressed the desire for more frequent interaction and the development of concrete action plans. The availability of the recording and a forthcoming meeting in January signal an ongoing process of collaboration and dialogue.