[IGFmaglist] IGF Newsletter September 2025 (16 September)

Sun Sep 21 06:50:55 EDT 2025

Dear all,

Please find below the IGF Newsletter for September 2025, distributed through all mailing lists and promoted via social media on 16 September.

[- Description: IGF Logo]
🌐IGF Monthly Newsletter
September 2025
Your monthly update on IGF news, activities, and upcoming events.
Dear IGF Community,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter! Below you’ll find updates on new publications, IGF secretariat’s activities, NRI highlights, intersessional work, capacity development, WSIS+20 developments, and upcoming events.
📚 New Publications

[cid:image003.png at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/334/29935>IGF Achievements and Impact (2005-2025) Booklet
As the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) marks 20 years since its creation, we look back at its journey, impact, and future.

✅ The IGF’s mandate and structure
✅ Annual global meetings (2006–2025) and outputs
✅ The expanding ecosystem of intersessional work and NRIs
✅ Case studies
✅ How the IGF contributes to dialogue and policy-shaping
Read the booklet HERE<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/334/29935>

[cid:image005.png at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]<https://mail.intgovforum.org/IGF_2025_Summary_Report.pdf>IGF 2025 Annual Meeting Summary Report
This document captures the key discussions, outputs, and messages from 20th IGF in Lillestrøm. The report serves as an essential resource for policymakers and all stakeholders, including member states, technical communities, civil society, businesses, and IGOs, working to shape a more inclusive and secure digital future.

Read the report HERE<https://mail.intgovforum.org/IGF_2025_Summary_Report.pdf>

Video: “The Internet We Want” with Vint Cerf, in collaboration with GIZ

[cid:image006.png at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]

Watch Internet pioneer Vint Cerf as he reflects on the Internet’s role as a public good and the importance of the IGF in keeping it that way.

Watch the video HERE<https://youtu.be/T6wi-HAkvpo?si=O9V8cLD4Xyrnapqq>
🗂 Secretariat Updates

IGF Leadership Panel Meeting | 26–27 August

[cid:image007.png at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]

The IGF Leadership Panel gathered in New York on 26–27 August for two days of strategic discussions and high-level engagements at UN Headquarters.

🔹 Stocktaking & Strategy – Reviewed progress on IGF visibility, linkages to global digital processes, and thought leadership (e.g., The Internet We Want<https://intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/263/28629>).
🔹 Report to the Secretary-General – Agreed on outline of upcoming report highlighting achievements, gaps, and recommendations for the IGF’s future.
🔹 High-Level Engagements – Met with Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Guy Ryder, Under-Secretary-General for Policy, and Amandeep Singh Gill, Under-Secretary-General and Envoy on Technology to align IGF contributions with UN digital cooperation.
🔹 Collaboration Strengthened – Exchanged with the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) and the co-facilitators of the WSIS+20 Review on next steps in global digital governance.
🔹 IGF’s Role Reaffirmed – Emphasized IGF as a platform to connect communities, amplify grassroots perspectives, and address emerging issues.

[cid:image009.jpg at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT7LBrO7jxE&list=PLediVl9G3xdNvTJ7MDIKTi0ZWDEb3LYMm&index=4>MAG Working Group on Strategy: Webinar Series on Non-Papers for the WSIS+20 Review | August
The MAG Working Group on Strategy hosted a series of four webinars this August to explore Non-Papers released as part of the WSIS+20 review process.

Watch all four recordings HERE<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT7LBrO7jxE&list=PLediVl9G3xdNvTJ7MDIKTi0ZWDEb3LYMm&index=4>
🌍 National & Regional Initiatives (NRIs)

The 177 National, Regional, and Youth IGF initiatives (NRIs) continue to collaborate on a wide range of issues. Following their successful participation in the 20th annual IGF, the network is now focusing on contributing to the WSIS+20 implementation process, remaining attentive to the Global Digital Compact (GDC) implementation, and improving its modalities to enhance visibility, foster stakeholder engagement, and increase impact.

A joint NRI contribution<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/Inputs%20to%20Elements%20Paper/NRIs%20input%20to%20WSIS%2B20%20review_final%20version_25Jul25.pdf> to the WSIS+20 consultations has already been submitted.

Over thirty NRIs meetings<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/nris-meetings-in-2025> are expected to take place during the last quarter of this year. Below are the main takeaways of the meetings held in August.

Caribbean IGF | 20-22 August[cid:image011.jpg at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]
The 21st Caribbean IGF and the 4th Youth Caribbean IGF recently concluded in Varadero, Cuba.

The Forum reaffirmed the community’s call for:
✅ Harmonized regional policies
✅ Stronger Internet governance forums
✅ Caribbean & youth voices in global debates
✅ AI & Cybersecurity on policy agendas

[cid:image013.jpg at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]The Very First Iraq IGF | 30-31 August
The first Iraq IGF convened a 2-day forum in Baghdad with the participation of more than 500 representatives from government entities, the private sector, civil society and academia, technical community, coming from Iraq but also the wider region and international community. The community highlighted the need to:

✅Accelerate infrastructure investment
✅Foster cross-border partnerships
✅Improve digital financial services and support SMEs
✅Sustain Iraq IGF multistakeholder dialogue

Read the full Impact Report from the 2025 Iraq IGF HERE<https://igfiraq.com/igf-iraq-2025-narrative-impact-report/>
🔄 Intersessional Work

Dynamic Coalitions: Webinar on Gaming & Gamification | 27 July
Six Dynamic Coalitions came together for a high-level webinar exploring how gaming and game mechanics can drive progress beyond entertainment.

Key takeaways:
✅The potential of gamification to lower barriers for underserved communities.
✅The importance of ethical and inclusive design principles.
✅The role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in scaling solutions responsibly.

Policy Network on Artificial Intelligence: Multistakeholder Working Group Meeting | 2 September
The Policy Network on AI (PNAI) Multistakeholder Working Group held its latest meeting on 2 September.

The session focused on the first two topics of the upcoming PNAI Policy Brief report:
✅The main activities and role of PNAI, and how it develops recommendations and insights
✅The value PNAI brings to international AI fora and high-level governance dialogues

Policy Network on Meaningful Access
The Policy Network on Meaningful Access (PNMA) and its Multistakeholder Working Group continue working on their final output report and specifically on contributing feedback to the WSIS+20 Zero Draft. The upcoming meeting on 26 September is open to all to join.

Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation
The Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation (PNIF) invites everyone to join<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/policy-network-on-internet-fragmentation> their next meeting on 30 September, focused on exploring ways to support global efforts in preventing, identifying, and addressing Internet fragmentation.
Best Practice Forum on Cybersecurity
The Best Practice Forum (BPF) on Cybersecurity invites all stakeholders to submit written inputs<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/bpf-cybersecurity> on the roles of different actors in ensuring secure Internet access during conflicts and crises.
🎓 Capacity Development

The IGF Secretariat continues to work with stakeholders worldwide to build capacity in Internet governance, with a special focus on developing countries.

At the 20th IGF in Norway, amongst dozens of remote hubs organized globally by various stakeholders, six hubs received financial support through grants, held in Bangladesh, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, South Africa, and Zambia.

Amongst the 177 active National, Regional, and Youth Initiatives (NRIs) the Secretariat cooperates with, eleven received grant support: Argentina IGF, Asia Pacific regional IGF (APrIGF, online), Bangladesh IGF, Bosnia and Herzegovina IGF, Caribbean IGF (Cuba), Colombia IGF, El Salvador IGF, Latin America and the Caribbean IGF (LACIGF, Argentina), Liberia IGF, North African IGF (Morocco), and Southeastern European IGF (SEEDIG, Greece).

[HL]Youth Engagement
Through the Youth Track, the IGF continues to create intergenerational and multistakeholder spaces for cooperation and exchange of good practices. Following the IGF 2025 Global Youth Summit in Norway, and workshops held in conjunction with EuroDIG and the African IGF, the next youth-focused sessions will take place at APrIGF and Youth LACIGF. Visit IGF Youth Track<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2025-youth-track> for more information.

[cid:image017.jpg at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60]Parliamentary Engagement
Communities worldwide are engaging directly with legislators - sharing concerns, shaping better digital policy, and exploring how the multistakeholder community can better support policymaking processes. The IGF Parliamentary Track held at the 20th IGF in Norway continues to expand to activities organized in cooperation with the upcoming regional IGFs, such as the APrIGF and LACIGF. Visit IGF Parliamentary Track<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2025-parliamentary-track> for more information.
📝 WSIS+20 Review

Written inputs to the Zero Draft<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2025/WSIS%2B20_ZERO_DRAFT.pdf> in the form of text proposals should be sent by email in MS Word format to ungawsisreview at un.org<mailto:ungawsisreview at un.org> no later than 26 September. All submissions will be made available online.

On 13-14 October, consultations with Stakeholders and Member States<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/octconsultations> will be held virtually on two days to accommodate for different time zones:
• 13 October, 10:15pm EST<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_z-sdsWB4TrSi4NcsivXXVg#/registration>
• 14 October, 10am EST<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6VyvYX-VRyqSl8ZjxxI42w#/registration>

Both written inputs and the consultations lead up to the negotiations and High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly in November and December. For more information, please visit the website of the Preparatory Process Roadmap<https://publicadministration.desa.un.org/wsis20/Preparatory%20Process%20Roadmap>.
📅 Upcoming Events

Date
Event
Location
September 2025
18 Sept 2025
IGF 2025 Virtual MAG Meeting IX<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2025-virtual-mag-meeting-ix>
Online
18 Sep 2025
Panama Youth IGF<https://www.youthigf.pa/>
Panama City, Panama
22–23 Sept 2025
Lusophone IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/lusophone-igf-1>
Virtual
22–23 Sept 2025
Australia IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/australia-igf-3>
Adelaide, Australia
24 Sep 2025
NRIs Meeting IX<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/nris-meeting-ix>
Virtual
26 Sept 2025
Costa Rica IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/costa-rica-igf>
San Jose, Costa Rica
October 2025
1 Oct 2025
Bosnia and Herzegovina IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/bosnia-and-herzegovina-igf-3>
Sarajevo, B&H
7 Oct 2025
Nepal Youth IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/nepal-youth-igf-0>
Kathmandu, Nepal
8 Oct 2025
Swiss Youth IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/swiss-youth-igf-0>
Bern, Switzerland
8 Oct 2025
Finnish IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/httpinternetforumfietusivu>
Helsinki, Finland
8 Oct 2025
Swiss IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/swiss-igf-7>
Bern, Switzerland
9–10 Oct 2025
Mano River Union IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/mano-river-union-igf-0>
Monrovia, Liberia
10–11 Oct 2025
SEEDIG 2025<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/seedig-2025>
Athens, Greece
11–14 Oct 2025
Asia-Pacific IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/aprigf-3>
Virtual
11 Oct 2025
Asia Pacific Youth IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/asia-pacific-youth-igf-2>
Virtual
15–16 Oct 2025
Colombia IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/colombia-igf-4>
Bogota, Colombia
17–19 Oct 2025
Maldives IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/maldives-igf-0>
Male, Maldives
22–23 Oct 2025
El Salvador IGF<https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/el-salvador-igf-4>
San Salvador, El Salvador

In Memoriam
Péter Major (1949-2025)

[Péter Major]

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Péter Major. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, two daughters and four grandchildren.

Peter was an exceptional contributor to the field of Internet governance for many decades through his work at the ITU, CSTD and the IGF. He was a strong supporter of the IGF, through his service on the MAG and the CSTD Working Group on IGF Improvements.

He will be deeply missed. To Peter’s family and friends, the secretariat extends its heartfelt condolences.

Together with Peter’s daughter, Vera, the secretariat has created a memorial page<https://intgovforum.org/en/content/in-memoriam-peter-major>. We invite you to share your thoughts and memories there, which will be passed on to his family.

Connect with us
[LinkedIn]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/internet-governance-forum-igf/>    [X] <https://x.com/intgovforum>     [cid:image022.png at 01DC2AF6.582EDD60] <https://bsky.app/profile/intgovforum.bsky.social>     [Facebook] <https://www.facebook.com/IntGovForum>     [Flickr] <https://www.instagram.com/intgovforum/>     [YouTube] <https://www.youtube.com/@igf/videos>     [TikTok] <https://www.tiktok.com/@intgovforum>
Visit our website: www.intgovforum.org<http://www.intgovforum.org/>

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