Development Working Group

IGF improvements report finally published: a full analysis

by Sam Dickinson | 5 Apr 2012 |

The group tasked with deciding on changes to the annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has finally released its report, complete with 56 recommendations.

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development's Working Group (CSTDWG) improvements report is due to be discussed at the 15th Session of the CSTD on Tuesday 22 May at the United Nations in Geneva.

The working group began with a hostile and combative environment at its first meeting in Montreux, unable to bridge ideological differences separating initial proposals submitted to the WG. But skillful chairing, the movement of divisive discussions on "enhanced cooperation" to a separate venue, and increased levels of trust built between the stakeholder groups over six meetings finally helped produce recommendations that all members could live with.

ECOSOC extends IGF improvements working group

by Kristin Weinberger | 3 Aug 2011 |

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development Working Group (CSTDWG) on improvements to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has been given another year to fulfill its mandate.

On 26 July, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the working group until the fifteenth session of the CSTD. The CSTDWG was invited to complete its task on the basis of work already accomplished and the United Nations (UN) secretary-general was urged to ensure the continued functioning of the IGF and its structures.

Work already accomplished

The mandate of the CSTDWG was to develop a list of recommendations for improving the IGF based on feedback solicited from member states and other relevant stakeholders. But the working group was unable to extract a list of recommendations from the all questionnaire responses and debates.

US government blocks progress on IGF

by Kieren McCarthy | 24 May 2011 |

A meeting of the UN’s technology commission earlier today descended into confusion when the United States blocked efforts to renew a working group set up to review changes to the annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

The Commission on Science and Technology for Development Working Group (CSTDWG) was due to formally report to the CSTD at its week-long session in Geneva this week.

However, after what the CSTDWG’s chair called "a significant divergence of views among Member States on a number of concrete proposals", the group provided only a summary of its process and a request for additional time.

That request picked up a significant degree of support during a panel discussion prior to lunch, and continued to win support in open discussions after lunch. All non-governmental representatives had previously expressed their support for an extension to the CSTDWG in letters to the CTSD, and several representatives put up an impassioned defense for giving the group more time to reach conclusions.

Non-governments

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