From December 6 until December 10, stakeholders from around the globe met at the International Congress Center in Katowice to participate in the 16th UN International Governance Forum. The conference programme offered 300 speaker panels, discussions, workshops and other activities for over 7,000 participants. The most prominent speakers included representatives of the United Nations, national governments, NGOs, members of the scientific community and international business organizations. As a result of the discussions between global experts in internet governance and digital transformations, critical decisions were made that will influence international internet governance and business plans for years to come.
The theme of the conference- “Internet United”
This year, the event adopted the motto of Internet United, symbolising the idea of fair, open and undivided functioning of the internet.
Minister Mateusz Morawiecki commented on the theme of the conference: “We need ‘Internet United’ and a united response to the digital issues that we are facing recently, especially since the global pandemic has accelerated the process of digitalisation in the areas of economic, political and social life.”
In 2020, Poland also hosted the Internet Governance Forum under the slogan “Internet for human resilience and solidarity”. However, the conference was organised exclusively in an online format. Therefore, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Polish Research and Academic Computer Network, was granted the right to organise a hybrid event in Katowice in 2021.
Krzysztof Szubert, the High Representative of the Prime Minister for European Digital Policy and Poland’s Plenipotentiary for the UN IGF 2021, successfully coordinated the event in Katowice and represented the Polish government in the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group.
The main issue areas discussed during the conference were:
- Economic and Social Inclusion & Human Rights
- Universal Access & Meaningful Connectivity
- Emerging Regulation
- Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change
- Inclusive Internet Governance Ecosystems & Digital Cooperation
- Trust, Security, Stability
Katowice as a growing innovation and business hub
In 2018, Katowice hosted the UN Climate Change Conference, followed by the 2021 Internet Governance Forum. The city is also expected to host the World Urban Forum in 2022. All of these events establish Katowice as a global platform for policymaking and innovation.
During a press conference, Janusz Cieszyński, the Minister of Digital Affairs, commented: “It is a good sign that Katowice and Poland can be at the heart of the most important global challenges.”
In his pre-conference statement, Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice, added: “Internet Governance Forum IGF2021 is then an excellent time to visit Katowice – the city whose potential has been recognised by many. And so, in the hope that external circumstances will be favourable to our meeting in December, I say: see you in Katowice.”
High-level speakers and most important events
The pre-events during “Day 0” of the conference were organised at the discretion of the Polish hosts. Some of the most popular panels included speakers from Microsoft Poland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kościuszko Institute, IBM Poland and the Polish Economic Institute.
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On the first day of the summit, the decision to establish the Silesian Centre for Engineering, Law, Technology and Digital Competence was announced. Polish President Andrzej Duda also made an online appearance.
The event also actively encouraged the participation of young people, especially during the IGF Youth Summit. During the Opening Speech of the Youth IGF Forum in the afternoon, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki mentioned: “Poland is boldly entering the world of new technologies. Our ambition is that digital services are used to reduce social gaps and improve the comfort of life.”
The speaker panels, workshops and social events continued throughout the week. Representatives from the European Commission, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Council of Europe actively participated in the conference.
On Tuesday, the guests listened to a Parliamentary roundtable on Legislative approaches for a user-centric digital space with opening remarks presented by Ryszard Terlecki, Vice Marshal of the Sejm of Poland, and Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. The second day also brought about an announcement of a new project by the Polish government. The project outlines the development of local digital development clubs, which will provide free of charge guidance to the elderly about the usage of the internet and e-services.
On Wednesday, Polish video game developers, such as CD Project, announced their plans to make Poland a global gaming powerhouse. Moreover, a British Member of Parliament, Jeremy Wright, made remarks on Balancing freedom of speech and the fight against harmful content. When it comes to British representation, the University College London also made an appearance during the panel on internet governance in developing countries.
On Thursday, participants eagerly debated topics such as data protection, digital exclusion, sustainability and outlined plans for IGF Africa 2022.
The conference culminated on Friday with a publication of a Katowice Protocol as well as a gala followed by a concert at the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra headquarters. While the conference officially ended on December 10, visitors were invited to participate in an IGF After Party over the weekend.
Author: Marta Kąkol
Photos credit: Copyright Polish Press Agency (PAP)
