The SIDS IGF – Background

The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Internet Governance Forum (IGF) had been discussed as a goal of the Dynamic Coalition on SIDS (DC-SIDS) for a number of years. In order to make this important IGF a reality, in 2021 Mr. Rodney Taylor, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Secretary-General, offered the support of the CTU Secretariat to jointly host the inaugural SIDS IGF with the 18^th CTU CIGF.

The first SIDS IGF established a vital platform for SIDS across the Caribbean, Pacific, and the Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea (AIMS) regions to engage in the global discourse on Internet Governance without the necessity of formal membership in entities such as the Dynamic Coalition on Small Island Developing States in the Internet Economy (DC-SIDS). This forum highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities facing SIDS in the digital economy, fostering a global recognition of the need for inclusive dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. Notwithstanding time zone challenges in the virtual setting, the SIDS IGF set the stage for ongoing cooperation and identified initial governance, procedural, and operational mechanisms to address critical issues effectively. 

OBJECTIVES and STRUCTURE

• Establish a platform and ongoing process where SIDS can become involved, can collaborate, cooperate, share experiences and have their voices heard re: issues arising from and impacts on their countries by IG, Internet Policy and the Digital Economy without necessarily having to “join” an entity (e.g. the DC-SIDS)
• Create a globally visible, recognized and reputable platform for engagement, discussion, cooperation, and collaboration and consensus-building (and even possible decision making) for SIDS Internet Governance, Internet Policy and Digital Economy issues.
• Highlight and seek solutions for the critical issues facing SIDS from the Caribbean, Pacific and AIMS in the Digital Economy 
• Consider and identify appropriate initial governance, procedural and operational mechanisms for effectively addressing and achieving the desired objectives.

All are welcome to participate in the SIDS IGF, including policy makers, regulators, service providers, content providers, consumer groups, academia, professionals, end users and other Internet interest groups.