Internet Governance at a Crossroads: Asia-Pacific Priorities for WSIS+20 and Beyond

Date: Monday, Oct 13

Time: 10:15 - 11:15 (60 mins)

Session Types: Panel Discussion

By the time the APrIGF 2025 is taking place, the UN Member States will be in the midst of negotiating the WSIS+20 review, which could affect the foundational principles that have kept the Internet open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy for two decades. At stake is a fundamental question: Will the Internet remain guided by inclusive multistakeholder collaboration, or shift toward state-centric models with risks of fragmentation?

This session will convene experts from technical, governmental, and policy communities to examine what is at stake for the Asia-Pacific region. It will explore how regional actors can meaningfully participate in global processes to protect and shape a resilient digital future. Drawing on recent perspectives on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft, the discussion will unpack Asia-Pacific priorities and strategies for engaging in and contributing to the process. The session will also serve to urge stakeholders to stay informed, engage in discussions effectively, and advocate for the preservation of an open, secure, and interoperable Internet.

Key issues to be discussed include:
– The implications of WSIS+20 for digital transformation and development in the Asia-Pacific
– Views on the WSIS+20 Zero Draft
– The role of the technical community in promoting multistakeholder governance through collaborative coordination for resilient Internet operations
– Strategies for inclusive regional participation in global processes
– The enduring role of IGF and its potential for post-2025

Moderators/Speakers: Adrian Wan, Amrita Choudhury, Angela Wibawa, Joyce Chen, Veronica Deutrom