Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 169d ago

Two decades after the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), many of its goals have been realised. Global connectivity has expanded significantly, supported by better infrastructure and the spread of digital tools powered by the Internet and data systems. However, rapid digital transformation also brings serious challenges. The spread of misinformation and disinformation, increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, including AI-generated deepfakes, and persistent digital divides risk deepening economic, social, and political inequalities. Different regions experience digital opportunities and risks in distinct ways, shaped by varying resources, governance models, and levels of digital literacy. Effective global governance must therefore be grounded in strong local and regional digital ecosystems that reflect diverse contexts - a principle embedded since the early WSIS process. The rise of national, regional, sub-regional, and youth Internet Governance Forums (IGF) initiatives in over 177 countries and regions demonstrates the growing capacity of communities to shape digital policy. Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) have further strengthened capacity-building. Furthermore, the UN system, through its specialized agencies, regional commissions and country offices, is increasingly supporting these efforts. This roundtable will explore how to reinforce local and regional digital governance to advance inclusion, inform global policymaking, and ensure that digital innovation benefits all communities equitably and responsibly.