More than 3,300 people from around the world have assembled for ICANN’s 50th meeting in London for the Affirmation of multistakeholder model for internet governance by world leaders, making it the largest in the organization’s history.
The meeting to last the week will have sessions on ICANN’s global accountability already having announced the winner of the 2014 Multistakeholder Ethos Award which recognizes ICANN participants who have deeply invested in consensus-based solutions, recognized the importance of ICANN’s multistakeholder model of Internet governance, and contributed in a substantive way to the higher interests of ICANN’s organization and its community. Among others will be recognizing milestones made by attendees.
Chinese government was recognized for the deployment of the DNSSEC and the expansion of the IPv6 protocol in order to assure the expansion of the continued global expansion of the internet. “We all hold one single aspiration, i.e. to improve the governance of the Internet. This is in line with ICANN’s vision of ‘One World, One Internet’.” said Minister Lu Wei of China’s cyberspace Affairs Administration.
According to newly formed Lebanon Internet center member, the multistakeholder approach draws its strength from the ability to bring together diverse views and align to a common goal of a global interoperable internet. Fadi Chehadé, President and CEO of ICANN acknowledged both advancements by China and Lebanon terming it as a testament to the world’s growing commitment to an inclusive multistakeholder internet governance model.
The internet has created the opportunity for massive economic growth and for greater intellectual freedom, therefore it is important that we preserve those principles. The internet world is constantly evolving, changing to meet the ever-expanding number of global internet users.
“In an increasingly globalized world, having a sense of identity, of course, becomes ever more important,” the First Minister of Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn James told attendees, “The Internet allows us to make connections that go beyond our local neighborhoods and even beyond our country’s borders, allowing individuals to develop their personal identity in whatever manner they see fit.”
