Item 5d. Preliminary report of the Working Group on Internet Governance
22/07/2005 :: WSIS. NORWAY
Prep.com 2
Geneva, 17-25 February 05
Item 5d. Preliminary report of the Working Group on Internet Governance
Mr. Chairman,
We welcome the preliminary report from WGIG and congratulate the achiecements made so far. We also thank Mr. Kummer for his introduction. We believe that the Working Group has made significant steps forward since the last consultations.
We have listened with interest to the discussion so far, and we have particularly taken note of the issues raised by Brasil and by Luxembourg on behalf of the EU.
Mr. Chairman,
The internet has become an integrated and vital part of the infrastructure in most countries. The internet has also become an integrated part of the global public infrastructure. In many ways, it may be argued that the internet has become a global public good, and that the task ahead for this working group is a pioneering exercise in global governance.
An important message from the Geneva declaration was the desirability of creating a people-centred, inclusive, and development oriented information society. We committed ourselves to strive for a society where everyone is able to create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge.
We also reaffirmed that democracy, sustainable development, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as good governance are at the heart of the information society.
The development dimension of the Information society is of paramount importance. We believe that the WSIS-process should be regarded as a coherent part of the broader UN system wide strategy of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Furthermore we should observe the findings from the report of the UN High Level Panel. The High Level Panel recognizes that the threat we face from transnational organized crime is a menace to States and societies, eroding human security and the fundamental obligation of States to provide for law and order.
The internet has in a few years become a backbone of the new globalized economy. Transnational organized crime and cyber-terrorism are only two examples of the threats challenging it. This is in our view a reminder of why we need multilateral and transparent cooperation on internet governance in the future.
Mr Chairman,
In the work ahead for the Working Group, Norway will recommend that the following guiding principles should be taken into consideration:
- It is an overarching goal to ensure that the internet can continue to contribute to economical, social and cultural development, and at the same time ensuring it’s stability and security;
- Individual freedom: Openness, pluralism and tolerance, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international Human Rights instruments are essential foundations for the Information Society.
- A dynamic and private sector led development of the internet, based on sound market economy policies.
- ICT can only become an enabler of development in an enabling environment, characterized by good governance and ensuring fundamental freedoms such as the right of expression and the independent role of the media.
- The need for multilateral cooperation and multilateral accountability, including the unique role of the United Nations in dealing with global challenges, such as internet governance.
Thank you