Current shortcomings and future solutions in digital cooperation mechanisms

Abstract

The new Roadmap for Digital Cooperation of the UN Secretary General represents a true milestone. It is the outcome of the Internet organisations’ work to redesign the digital cooperation ecosystem. Taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our society, the roadmap highlights the critical gaps and challenges that the Internet governance is facing, as well as illustrates the possible path to strengthen the worldwide digital cooperation by enhancing the stakeholder participation in the Internet Governance Forum. In the past, the World Summit on Information Society, WSIS, was the only intergovernmental mechanism to discuss public policy matters related to the Internet. At present, there are more informal and formal ways and forums for such purpose that surround the United Nations environment. Acknowledging the key role that Internet plays at worldwide level, it is of paramount importance to pursue international synergies to tackle the digital governance matters and to overcome the current deadlock that prevents the revamping of existing mechanisms.