Lillestrøm, Norway, is currently hosting global stakeholders at the 20th edition of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which commenced on Tuesday. The milestone gathering comes at a crucial time for the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), adopted in September 2024.
The five-day forum also serves as a moment of reflection on the two decades since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), with renewed emphasis on building a digital future that is open, secure, inclusive, and grounded in human rights and dignity.
In a message to mark the event, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres hailed the IGF’s 20-year journey in fostering inclusive cooperation on internet public policy.
“Through the years,” Guterres noted, “the Forum has shown how dialogue across sectors, regions and generations can help shape an internet that is rooted in dignity, opportunity, and human rights.”
Under the theme “Building Digital Governance Together”, IGF 2025 has drawn over 8,000 participants from governments, civil society, the private sector, academia, and international organisations, both physically and virtually. The IGF is widely regarded as the world’s most inclusive platform for digital policy dialogue.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr Li Junhua, urged participants to seize the moment. “Let the IGF 2025 in Lillestrøm be the moment we go further toward a digital future rooted in trust, equity, and human dignity,” he said.
Key Themes and Discussions
The forum is structured around four thematic areas:
-
Digital trust and resilience
-
Sustainable and responsible innovation
-
Universal access and digital rights
-
Digital cooperation
These themes will guide discussions on how to build secure, transparent, and rights-based digital ecosystems that support democratic stability and economic openness.
Also Read: Youth Minister Flags Off Internet Governance Forum
Participants will address a wide range of pressing issues, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence, the evolution of digital platforms, and the global challenge of mis- and disinformation. Dialogue will also focus on restoring trust in digital systems, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and promoting ethical standards in digital innovation.
In line with the Forum’s commitment to inclusivity, particular attention will be given to ensuring participation from youth, marginalised communities, and representatives from the Global South.
Efforts to bridge the digital divide and safeguard human rights online such as privacy, access to information, and freedom of expression—remain central to the Forum’s agenda.
For further details, including recordings and outcome documents, visit the official IGF website: https://www.intgovforum.org/en
