Comment Neelie (Kroes)

"Access to internet is critical for fundamental freedoms and economic development. Continued access to a free and open internet depends on effective governance.sentence permalink

In the wake of large-scale internet surveillance and reduced trust in the internet, governance of the internet must become more transparent, accountable and inclusive.sentence permalink

Furthermore, in light of Turkish government actions to censor social media (recent examples include the blocking of 51,000 websites including large platforms such Twitter and YouTube) and jailing journalists, we restate our belief that restrictions on fundamental freedoms, of whatever kind and wherever they take place, are unacceptablesentence permalink

We have argued strongly in Istanbul for:

Expanded internet access globally

Maintenance of the internet as a global, open and common resource and non-discriminatory access to knowledgesentence permalink

Greater accountability and transparency in the “multi-stakeholder” internet governance model (for example, in decision-making processes around .wine related domain names)sentence permalink

Rejection of the idea of a state-controlled internet/ssentence permalink

A stable and secure mandate for continuation of the Internet Governance Forum (with adequate resources)sentence permalink

Recognition that our fundamental freedoms and human rights are not negotiable and must be protected online.sentence permalink

2014 is a critical year for global internet governance.sentence permalink

In February 2014 the European Commission communication on internet governance called for establishment of a clear timeline for the globalisation of ICANN and the “IANA functions”;sentence permalink

In March 2014 the United States government agreed to begin reforms to ICANN and IANA;sentence permalink

In April 2014 the NetMundial conference hosted by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff pioneered a new form of internet governance policy development andsentence permalink

Netmundial Brazil was followed by further initiatives by the United Kingdom government and World Economic Forum.sentence permalink

Following the Internet Governance Forum further critical meetings will be held discussing internet governance reform including in Europe at an informal Council on digital issues under the Italian Presidency on 3 October.sentence permalink

In Istanbul, EU representatives met with a range of internet stakeholders including Freedom House, repressed journalists, net neutrality advocates, and civil society organisations working to expand internet access in the global south, as well as industry and government leaders.sentence permalink

A key element of the Internet Governance Forum is the possibility for a global exchange of best practices. Europe offered methods for establishing Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), promoting local content, and education tools for ensuring child safety online amongst many others."sentence permalink

Background on the Internet Governance Forum (IGF)sentence permalink

This UN-initiated body is a multi-stakeholder, non-decision making forum of global importance for forward-looking discussions on Internet issues.sentence permalink

We are committed to continue financially supporting the IGF secretariat and we welcome initiatives such as the 'Tides Friends of the IGF Fund' and the 'IGF Support Association’ to collect additional funds. We support renewal of the IGF mandate beyond 2015, with greater security of mandate and funding.sentence permalink