IGF - Internet Governance Forum

🎓🌍 Today, the IGF Secretariat had the pleasure of welcoming a group of nearly 90 Master’s students and faculty members from Leiden University’s International Relations and Democracy programme to the UN Palais in Geneva.

The students, who are soon to graduate, received an introduction to the IGF, its history, multistakeholder mechanisms, broader ecosystem, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for digital governance 💻🤝.

Following a presentation by the Head of the IGF Secretariat, Chengetai Masango, the session concluded with an engaging and insightful Q&A 💬. The thoughtful questions and perspectives shared throughout the discussion reflected the strong academic foundation and critical thinking skills developed through the programme.

It was a pleasure to exchange views with the next generation of policymakers, diplomats, and leaders shaping our digital future 🚀.

Thank you to Universiteit Leiden / Leiden University for an inspiring visit!

📢 The First IGF 2026 Open Consultations & MAG Meeting will be held on 24–26 June 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya & Online.

This hybrid meeting of the IGF will bring together stakeholders from all regions and sectors to kick off the 2026 preparatory process.

Participation is open to all 💻🤝

Register here to join (same registration for both online and onsite): https://indico.un.org/event/1024132/

🌍 Looking to engage in Internet governance and digital policy discussions over the coming weeks?

📅 A range of national and regional IGF meetings are taking place across the globe between 27 May and 30 June 2026 — offering opportunities to participate, contribute, and connect with other stakeholders.

🤝 Join the discussions, share your perspectives, and engage with the global IGF community.

🔗 More information: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/event-created/202605?title=&feed_me=

EuroDIG | Cro-IGF | Internet Society | Swiss IGF | Uganda Internet Governance Forum

🚨 IGF 2026 Youth Track Workshop at EuroDIG: From Deepfakes to “Nudification”: Evolving Threats of Generative AI to Information Integrity & Human Rights

📅 26 May | 09:00–10:00 CEST
📍 Brussels, Belgium & Online
💬 Submit and vote on questions to the panelists: https://www.menti.com/ale2hj9xd2tf
🔗 Register for online participation: https://www.eurodig.org/get-involved/register-for-eurodig-2026/

This session marks the first of four Global IGF 2026 Youth Track workshops taking place throughout the year — all building toward the Global Youth Summit at the IGF 2026 Annual Meeting.

🌍 What makes this initiative unique?
The entire IGF Youth Track is designed in an open, bottom-up process, led by a global team of dedicated young experts who collaboratively shape each session.

💡 In this opening session, we’ll explore how generative AI is transforming the information ecosystem — including the rise of “nudification” tools that enable the creation of non-consensual explicit content.

👥 Speakers:
🔹 Ms. Federica Onori, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Artificial Intelligence
🔹 Mr. Robbert Hoving, Director of Offlimits & President of INHOPE
🔹 Ms. Inês Joaquim, YOUthDIG
🔹 Ms. Dorijn Boogaard, Netherlands Youth IGF

🎤 Moderator:
🔹 Sherry Shek, Head Coordinator at Asia Pacific Youth IGF

Join us for a critical conversation on AI, human rights, and information integrity — and be part of a youth-led process shaping global digital governance.

🔗 IGF 2026 Youth Track: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2026-youth-track

📣 Call for Nominations: African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) 2026

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the African Union Commission (AUC), and Research ICT Africa (RIA) have launched the call for nominations for the 14th African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG 2026).

🗓️ When & Where
AfriSIG 2026 will take place in the last quarter of 2026, just ahead of the Africa IGF in Accra, Ghana.

🌍 Focus Area
This year’s edition will explore AI governance in the African context, including the AU AI Strategy, data governance, digital inclusion, and emerging global policy processes.

👥 Who should apply?
Mid- to senior-level professionals working in internet governance, digital policy, AI, data, ICT regulation, or related fields across government, private sector, civil society, academia, media, and the technical community.

🌐 Why apply?
AfriSIG offers a unique, multidisciplinary learning experience—equipping participants to engage more effectively in national, regional, and global digital governance discussions.

🔗 Read more: https://www.afrisig.org/african-school-on-internet-governance-2026-call-for-nominations

📅 Deadline: 31 May 2026 (23:59 UTC)
📩 Submit to: [email protected]

The 2026 call for nominations for the 14th African School on Internet Governance is now open! The deadline is 31 May 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

The African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) is an initiative of the Association for Progressive Communications, the Information Society Division of the African Union Commission and Research ICT Africa.

AfriSIG 2026 will be convened in Accra in the final quarter of 2026, in collaboration with the Africa Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Secretariat, hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and in close partnership with the United Nations IGF Secretariat and its Parliamentary Track and the host of the 2026 Africa IGF, the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation of Ghana.

In addition to providing an overview of internet and digital policy, in Africa and globally, AfriSIG 2026 will focus on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the African context.

AfriSIG26 will take place over the course of five days as an intensive residential, interactive learning and leadership development event.

Find all the details here: https://afrisig.org/african-school-on-internet-governance-2026-call-for-nominations (call also available in French and Portuguese).

📢 Announcing the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) for 2026

We’re pleased to share the newly appointed Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) members for 2026. 🌐

👉 View the full list of members: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/mag-2026-members

🙏 We also extend our sincere thanks to all outgoing MAG members for their dedication, expertise, and commitment. Your contributions have been vital in strengthening the IGF and advancing open, inclusive dialogue on the future of the Internet.

The MAG, established by the UN Secretary-General, plays a central role in shaping the programme and schedule of the Internet Governance Forum. It brings together 40 experts from governments, the private sector, civil society, and the academic and technical communities, ensuring that the IGF remains grounded in a truly bottom-up, inclusive, and multistakeholder approach to digital governance.

👉 Learn more about the MAG: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/about-mag

🌍 Join IGF DC on Digital Health at the 79th World Health Assembly!

During the 79th World Health Assembly, the Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Digital Health together with the Health Parliament is convening The Global Healthcare Leaders’ Collective — a collaborative space where organizations, innovators, policymakers, startups, researchers, and institutions come together to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and drive action for global health.

📅 Date: 20 May 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (CEST)
📍 Venue: Conference Room S4, United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva

👉 Register now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WHA79

We look forward to an engaging and impactful discussion shaping the future of global health.

📣 New IGF NRI Brochure just published! 🌐✨

Discover how 180+ National, Regional, Sub-regional & Youth IGF Initiatives are driving inclusive Internet governance around the world 🤝💡

🔹Visit the webpage: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/nris-brochure-to-support-stakeholder-engagement
🔹 Short version - Get the essentials: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/356/31022
🔹 Extended version - Dive deeper: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/356/31023

Explore, learn, and get involved! 🚀

🌍 Geneva Cyber Week | 4 May 2026 | Geneva

This week, the IGF Secretariat hosted a session on “IGF Best Practice Forum: Securing Access to the Internet and Protecting Core Internet Resources in Contexts of Conflict and Crises.”

Grounded in the work of the IGF 2025 Best Practice Forum, the discussion reaffirmed that 🌐 Internet access is increasingly critical civilian infrastructure, especially during conflict, crisis, and major disruptions.

Key takeaways from the session:
📡 Reliable connectivity is essential for humanitarian response, public safety, health services, and economic continuity
⚠️ Digital infrastructure faces growing cyber, physical, and systemic risks, including cascading failures and vulnerabilities in submarine cables
🤝 Multistakeholder cooperation is indispensable—no single actor can ensure internet resilience alone
🚨 Effective responses require preparedness, rapid technical coordination during crises, and resilient recovery frameworks
🏛️ International organizations play a crucial convening and standards‑setting role in maintaining global connectivity and interoperability

🎙️ Moderator
Wim Degezelle — IGF Secretariat Consultant, IGF Best Practice Forum on Securing Access to the Internet and Protecting Core Internet Resources in Contexts of Conflict and Crises

👥 Panelists
• Anna Kruip, Programme Management Officer, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
• Olivier Alais, Programme Coordinator, Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union
• Kayle Giroud, Head of European Affairs, CyberPeace Institute
• Ashutosh Chadha, Senior Director, UN & International Organizations, Microsoft
• Ernst Noorman, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

📄 Read the summary report: bit.ly/4uCoMIn
📺 Watch the recording: bit.ly/4uyEIen

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research