[IGF Press] MEDIA ADVISORY: 18th Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto, Japan & Online

[IGF Press]

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Media Advisory

More than 8,000 to join 18th Internet Governance Forum, to secure a safe, open and reliable Internet for all

With 2.6 billion people still offline worldwide, UN Forum to debate what's next for a world at digital crossroads

Media Accreditation is open for the IGF<https://indico.un.org/event/1006568/>

WHAT:               The rapid rise of technologies like generative AI has opened a Pandora's box of questions about the digital future. How can we manage the exponential growth of AI-related applications, and what guardrails do we need? How will data be used and potentially misused in this new landscape? And how can we tap into the vast ocean of digital possibilities, translating technological progress into progress for people and planet?

More than 8,000 participants from over 170 countries will gather at the UN  Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to map out  paths forward in the age of digital uncertainty.

Convened by the UN Secretary-General under the theme "The Internet We Want - Empowering All People", the Forum invites attendees to discuss critical issues as equals, whether they are government ministers or youth activists. While tech is moving at warp speed in a select group of countries, the reality is that 2.6 billion people are still offline, mostly in the Global South and vulnerable communities. Digitalization is a whole-of-society phenomenon, impacting connected and unconnected populations alike, yet the distribution of its benefits remains highly uneven. Rapid tech advances, if not well managed, could exacerbate existing inequalities and sprouting digital risks.

IGF is central to the efforts around a new 'Global Digital Compact' that will be introduced at the UN's Summit of the Future in 2024, as well as the review of the World Summit of the Information Society by the General Assembly in 2025 (WSIS+20). IGF this year also comes at the halfway point to 2030 and renewed commitment to the SDGs, highlighting the need to thoughtfully harness digital solutions for climate action, health, education and more.

In addition to opening and closing ceremonies, a Parliamentary Track and a Youth Track, there will be high-level sessions, four of which on 8 October on "Understanding 'Data Free Flow with Trust' (DFFT)"; "Evolving Trends in Mis- & Dis-Information"; "Looking ahead to WSIS+20: Accelerating the Multistakeholder Process"; "Access & Innovation for Revitalising the SDGs". A fifth high-level session on AI takes place 9 October.

The 18th IGF is hosted by the Government of Japan at the Kyoto International Conference Center in a hybrid format.

WHEN:               8-12 October 2023.

WHERE:             Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto, Japan (hybrid format).


Key links
* IGF website: https://www.intgovforum.org/en
* Host country website (on participation logistics): https://www.soumu.go.jp/igfkyoto2023/en/
* Programme: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/schedule
* Follow live and on demand: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0zf4oI0IsJLh1owvUQSfQ
* Registration & Media Accreditation: https://indico.un.org/event/1006568/
* IGF Village: https://intgovforum.org/en/igf-village-2023

Social Media
Please follow us on the Internet Governance Forum, using the hashtags, #IGF2023 and #InternetWeWant
On Facebook: Global Goals<https://www.facebook.com/globalgoalsUN/>, UN DESA<https://www.facebook.com/joinundesa>, IGF - Internet Governance Forum<https://www.facebook.com/IntGovForum/>
On Twitter: @GlobalGoalsUN<https://twitter.com/GlobalGoalsUN>, @UNDESA<https://twitter.com/UNDESA>, @intgovforum<https://twitter.com/intgovforum>
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intgovforum/

Media contacts (interviews available upon request):
Francyne Harrigan, UN Department of Global Communications, harriganf at un.org<mailto:harriganf at un.org>
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, rosengrenh at un.org<mailto:rosengrenh at un.org>


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