CST Concludes Participation In Internet Governance Forum To Enhance Digital Innovation And Governance

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) recently wrapped up its involvement in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) held in Saudi Arabia from December 15 to 19. The event aimed to leverage innovation while mitigating risks in the digital realm. It focused on enhancing digital contributions towards peace, development, sustainability, human rights, and inclusivity, alongside improving the governance of the Internet.

During a high-level session titled "From Summit of the Future to WSIS+20," CST Governor Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi discussed the progress and future of digital governance. This session coincided with the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) and examined the implementation of the Global Digital Compact Process. Discussions centered around achievements, identifying gaps, and developing strategies for advancing global digital cooperation.

CST's Deputy Governor of Strategy and Digitalization Sector, Naif Sheshah, participated in a workshop that explored national and technical policy roles in shaping global digital well-being. Meanwhile, Internet Technologies Development Director Eng. Musaab Alammar contributed to a session on IPv6 MS Collaboration: A Path to Digital Inclusion in MENA. These discussions highlighted how policies can enhance digital inclusion across different regions.

Additionally, CST Saudi Domain Name Director Hesham AlHammad emphasized the significance of multilingual domain names for fostering digital inclusion. He explained how these domain names play a crucial role in ensuring broader access to digital resources for diverse linguistic groups.

CST Cybersecurity Operations Center Director Eng. Afnan AlRomi led a workshop titled "Balancing Acts: Encryption, Privacy, and Public Safety." This session addressed the delicate balance between maintaining privacy through encryption while ensuring public safety. It underscored the importance of developing policies that protect individual privacy without compromising security.

The forum attracted over 1,000 speakers from more than 160 countries, including global experts and specialists. More than 300 sessions and workshops were conducted to share expertise, success stories, and best practices related to Internet policies. These discussions aimed at shaping the future of technology and building a secure digital environment for everyone.

With inputs from SPA