The Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) is a regional, non-hierarchical, multi-stakeholder forum initiated by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in 2005 to coordinate a regional approach to Internet Governance (IG), initially focussed on the proceedings of the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).  The CIGF has since met annually and has delivered significant and pioneering benefits to the region including formulation of a Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework; the proliferation of Internet exchange points (IXPs); capacity building in IG Principles and best practices; and growth in Caribbean influence in international IG fora. The CIGF is the longest running Internet Governance Forum in the world. 

This year the 21^st CIGF will be held in Varadero, Cuba. It will be staged in-person but with remote participation via online videoconferencing under the auspices of the CTU and the Government of Cuba. The Forum will address various facets of Internet Governance of current import to the Caribbean including the adoption of the Global Digital Compact and WSIS+20 Review; enhancing the reach, resiliency and sustainability of critical digital infrastructure in the Caribbean; fostering adoption and growth of our digital economies in a trusted and secure manner; harnessing the benefits of emergent technologies (e.g. AI) while minimising attendant risks; and digital rights, privacy and protection for children. The 4^th  Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum (4^th CYIGF) will be colocated with the 21^st CIGF. 

Objectives

• Consider Internet governance policies and initiatives for priority attention and regional consensus to facilitate accelerated digital transformation in the Caribbean
• Elicit the voices and develop the capacity of Caribbean youth in Internet governance by facilitating the 4^th Caribbean Youth Internet Governance Forum
• Build national and regional capacity and systems in IG to enable, support, strengthen and sustain socio-economic development and effective Caribbean participation and representation at regional and global Internet Governance fora

Target Audience

• Academia
• Civil society
• Government policy makers and IT Managers
• Internet users
• Internet service providers and Telecommunications operators
• International organisations
• ICT Regulators

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Week at a Glance