Under the theme ‘Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Human-Centric Digital Future‘, the forum explores how artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, inclusive digital development, trusted digital ecosystems and collaborative governance can contribute to sustainable development, digital resilience, and a safe, secure and inclusive digital future for Bangladesh and the region. Six tracks cover AI policy & strategy; data governance, trust & cybersecurity; digital inclusion & meaningful connectivity; digital public infrastructure & interoperability; digital transformation for sustainable development; and digital democracy, law & human rights.
An online Day 0 on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 features special sessions for youth, children, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary and newcomers. The programme, registration and remote participation details are yet to be announced.
The Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) serves as a regional platform for dialogue, collaboration, and exchange on Internet governance. Bringing together national IGF discussions, it fosters progress in Internet governance throughout the Asia Pacific region. Twenty-nine sessions were selected from 105 proposals, arranged across four sub-themes: Future of APrIGF & Multistakeholder Ecosystem, AI Governance for Good, Digital Resilience and Building of Trust, and Universal and Meaningful Connectivity.
Taking place alongside APrIGF 2026, and organised by a regional youth organising committee, the yIGF ran on 3–4 October 2026. (video) The Asia Pacific yIGF is a dedicated space for young people across the Asia Pacific to engage with pressing Internet Governance issues, exchange perspectives, and develop a collective youth voice on the issues shaping the region’s digital future.
DAY 0 Capacity Building Program
Amrita Choudhury – Chair, Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of APrIGF Ashirwad Tripathy – Vice-Chair, Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of APrIGF Swaran Ravindra – Vice-Chair, Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of APrIGF Aysha Labiba – Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) Member of APrIGF Bea Guevarra – Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) Member of APrIGF Kenrick Lim – Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) Member of APrIGF Cheryl Langdon-Orr Razoana Moslam Unggul Sagena
Babu Ram Aryal – Host Steering Committee Amrita Choudhury – APrIGF Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) Jennifer Chung – UN IGF MAG Dr. Manoj Sharma – Chief Justice of Nepal Rupesh Shrestha – NPIX Subhash Dhakal – Information Technology and Digital Governance Office (ITDGO), Government of Nepal Nuwan Waidyanatha – LIRNEasia Rukamanee Maharjan – Faculty of Law, Tribhuvan University Tahani Iqbal – Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ruzan Sarwar – Meta
Moderator: Dr. Bhoj Raj Ghimire – APrIGF Program Committee
A Guide to Integrating Gender to Cybersecurity Policy
Gaelle Demolis – UN Women
Moderator: Pavitra Ramanujam – Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Moderator: Cho Thazin Aung – Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Governing AI Training Data in the Asia-Pacific: Transparency, Verifiability, and Creator Rights
Seungwoo Jang – KISA EG@IG, Chungang University Eunsun Lee – KISA EG@IG, Korea University Seoyeon Han – KISA EG@IG, Ewha Womans University
Moderator: Sodam Kum – KISA EG@IG, Ewha Womans University
Community Radio in the Digital Era: Strengthening Internet Resilience and Trusted Communication in South Asia
Arti Jaiman – Community Radio Gurgaon ki Awaaz Dr. Ramnath Bhat – AMARC Asia-Pacific Ananda Gautam – Internet Society Nepal Chapter A. H. M. Bazlur Rahman – Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication Shita Laksmi – Internet governance consultant
Moderator: Suman Basnet – AMARC Asia-Pacific
The Cost of a Click: Unboxing AI and Internet Infrastructures to Shape a Greener Internet in the APAC
Try Thy – Open Development Cambodia Itsaraporn Daoram – 5 Rights Foundation Gabe Mercado – Vivita Philippines Namrata Srihari – Vyuha Learning Labs
Moderator: Dhanyashri Kamalakannan – The Pranava Institute
Moderator: Titiksha Vashist – The Pranava Institute
From Barrier to Enabler: Rethinking Policy for Community-Driven Internet Access
Lay Puthineath – Cambodia Digital Government Committee Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurul Nuha Abdul Molok – International Islamic University Malaysia Adelaine De Castro – Department of Information and Communications Technology, Philippines Gomer Padong – ISEA
Moderator: Adrian Wan – Internet Society
Building the Next Generation of Pacific Cybersecurity Professionals: Partnerships, Skills and Regional Resilience
Ashutosh Maharaj – Fiji National University Sarai Tevita – PICISOC / National University of Samoa Priscilla Kevin – PNG Digital ICT Cluster Carole Cholai – PNG Computer Society
Moderator: Russell Deka – PICISOC / UPNG
Moderator: Takehiko Harada – PICISOC / UPNG
Moderator: Swaran Ravindra – PICISOC / Fiji National University
Drawing the Line: Online Harm, Queer Expression, and Platform Governance in Asia-Pacific
Dr. K S Park – Korea University / Open Net Korea Shambhawi Paudel – ILGA Asia Mish Pony – Scarlet Alliance / Flat Out
Moderator: Jeremy Malcolm – Center for Online Safety and Liberty
From Local Evidence to Regional Dialogue: Trust, Inclusion, and an Open Internet in the Age of AI
Edmon Chung – DotAsia Bikram Shrestha – Nepal Internet Foundation / APNIC Policy SIG Shamima Akhter – Bangladesh Women Internet Governance Forum (BWIGF) Pensri Arunwatanamongkol – THNIC Foundation Cheryl Langdon-Orr – Internet Australia
Moderator: Anthony Lee – Taiwan Network Information Center (TWNIC)
When An Energy Crisis Becomes a Connectivity Crisis
Matthew James – Distant Curve Anisha Hassan – SolShare Ulrich Speidel – University of Auckland
Moderator: Neeti Biyani – APNIC Foundation
Moderator: Michael Ginguld – AirJaldi
Governing Generative AI in Southeast Asia: Addressing Electoral Manipulation and Political Campaign Risks & Ensuring Electoral Integrity through Resilient Digital Practices
Santosh Sigdel – Digital Rights Nepal Liza Garcia – Foundation for Media Alternatives Rishiti Choudaha – Centre for Communication Governance, National Law University, Delhi Nirjana Sharma – UNESCO
Moderator: Catherine Setiawan – Global Index on Responsible AI
Surveillance by Design: Digital ID, Data Protection and the Trust Crisis in South Asia
Farieha Aziz – Bolo Bhi Priya Ahsan Chowdhury – BLAST Dr. Dovan Rai – Body & Data Nilay Shah – SFLC.in
Moderator: Sameer Bajaj – Aapti
Moderator: Pahani Weerakkodi – Factum
Beyond Access: Who Keeps Children Safe Online Once They are Connected?
Dhanyashri Kamalakannan – The Pranava Institute Syed Kazi – Council for Social and Digital Development Lang Thi Nhat – LeaderInYou Kelsey Hallahan – Digital Future Aotearoa
Moderator: Thy Try – Open Development Cambodia
Moderator: Dr. Velislava Hillman – EDDS Institute
The Right to Be Forgotten by AI: Who Owns Human Knowledge in the Age of Foundation Models?
Milan Adhikari – APNIC Tayyaba Iftikhar – Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Shraddha Pandey – Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Dr. Muhammad Aslam – UET Lahore
Moderator: Iqra Ejaz – UET Lahore
Open Dialogue Roundtable: Role of APrIGF in Implementing the Permanent Mandate of the IGF
Jennifer Chung – UN IGF MAG Amrita Choudhury – APrIGF MSG Subhash Dhakal – Information Technology and Digital Governance Office (ITDGO), Government of Nepal Izumi Aizu – Institute for HyperNetwork Society
Moderator: Pavitra Ramanujam – Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Adesh Khadka – Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Masanobu Katoh – Japan Internet Governance Supporting Organisation (JPIGFSO) Neeti Biyani – APNIC Foundation Sajana Maharjan – Adam Smith International Tek Tamata – UNDP Nepal
Moderator: Dr. Pradip Paudyal – Nepal Telecommunications Authority Babu Ram Aryal – Host Steering Committee Edmon Chung – DotAsia Organisation Hon. Dr. Bikram Timilsina – Ministry of Communication Ashirwad Tripathy – APrIGF MSG Umera Rana Asmat – APrIGF MSG Hiro Hotta – JPIGFSO
The main themes of the 2026 forum were digital sovereignty and social media age limits. In addition, the Committee for the Future presented its recent reports related to AI and robotics.
01 Presentation of Reports by the Committee for the Future
Timo Harakka – Committee Vice-Chair Petri Myllymäki – National AI Advisor, Ministry of Transport and Communications
Vili Lehdonvirta – Professor of Technology Policy, Aalto University Elina Ussa – CEO, FiCom Anssi Kärkkäinen – Head of National Cyber Security Centre Martin Paasi – Member of the Committee for the Future
Respondent: Hanna Laurén – Head of Geopolitics and Government Relations, North Europe, Nokia
Moderator: Tapani Tarvainen – Electronic Frontier Finland
Leo Pekkala – Director, Media Education and Age Ratings Department, Finnish Arts and Culture Agency Timo Kiravuo – Cyber Security Specialist, ISOC Finland Sari Tuuva-Hongisto – Research Manager, Youth Research and Development Centre Juvenia Tuomas Pulkkinen – Lawyer, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Moderator: Oona Kurppa – Chairperson, Generation Equality
From AI governance and digital rights to trade policy and cybersecurity, the forum will bring together leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector for timely, forward-looking discussions on Canada’s role in shaping the future of the internet.
De la gouvernance de l’IA, aux droits numériques, en passant par la politique commerciale et la cybersécurité, le forum réunira des dirigeant·es du gouvernement, de la société civile, du milieu universitaire et du secteur privé pour des discussions opportunes et tournées vers l’avenir sur le rôle du Canada dans l’avenir de l’Internet.
02 Internet Governance Landscape – From the Global to Local
Theresa Swinehart – SVP, Global Domains and Strategy, ICANN Jim Prendergast – President, The Galway Strategy Group Burt Lum – President, ISOC Hawaii Anja Gengo – Programme Management Officer, Internet Governance Forum Jennifer Chung – VP Policy, DotAsia / Chair, IGF MAG Susan Chalmers – Internet Governance Team Lead, NTIA
Moderator: Avri Doria – Program Committee Chair, IGF-USA
Ilissa Miller – CEO, iMiller Public Relations Dr. Christopher Amato – Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Maya Schmidt – Technology Policy Advisor, Third Way Tana Fitzpatrick – Director, Native Nations Center for Tribal Policy Research
Moderator: Daniel Castro – President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
Christian Dawson – Co-Founder, Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) Ron da Silva – CEO and Founder, Network Technologies Global Chelsea Horne – Assistant Professor of Media Law and Policy, Lehigh University Ram Mohan – Chief Strategy Officer, Identity Digital
Moderator: Fiona Alexander – American University
El martes – miércoles, 6–7 de octubre de 2026, la Mesa Colombiana de Gobernanza de Internet (MCGI), con el apoyo de Colnodo, realizará el ‘13 Foro Colombiano de Gobernanza de Internet‘, donde expertos nacionales e internacionales, representantes de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, el sector privado, la academia y el gobierno, así como todos los interesados, se darán cita para conversar de los temas que viene trabajando la Mesa a través de sus Grupos de Trabajo Intersesionales: Inteligencia Artificial, Entornos Digitales Seguros, Bienestar Digital, Acceso Significativo, Gobernanza de Internet y Desinformación.
El Foro acoge la Quinta Cumbre Juvenil de Gobernanza de Internet de Colombia (Youth IGF Colombia), plataforma creada y dirigida por jóvenes entre los 18 y los 35 años, que abre la jornada del 6 de octubre de 8:00 a 12:00 COT (13:00 a 17:00 UTC).
Todos los eventos serán híbridos, con sede presencial en la Asociación Colombiana de Ingenieros (ACIEM), Calle 70 No. 9-10, Bogotá, y acceso remoto y transmisión en vivo a través de Zoom y YouTube. Para inscripciones, postulaciones y más información visite https://gobernanzadeinternet.co/es/foro-de-gobernanza
Du mardi 6 au samedi 10 octobre 2026, à partir de 09h00 WAT (08:00 UTC), sous le très haut patronage du Gouvernement de la République du Tchad, se tiendra le ‘Forum sur la Gouvernance de l’Internet pour l’Afrique Centrale (FGI-AC 2026)‘, en présentiel à l’Hôtel Radisson Blu de N’Djamena, Tchad, et également accessible en ligne pour garantir une participation inclusive. Placée sous le thème ‘Entre Intelligence & Résilience : Unir l’Afrique Centrale pour une gouvernance numérique inclusive & souveraine‘, cette édition ambitionne de rassembler décideurs publics, régulateurs, acteurs techniques, chercheurs, société civile, femmes, jeunes, parlementaires et secteur privé dans un dialogue stratégique de haut niveau sur l’avenir numérique de la sous-région.
Le FGI-AC est le cadre de concertation sous-régional qui rassemble les gouvernements, le secteur privé, la société civile et la communauté technique pour débattre des politiques publiques liées au numérique. Les inscriptions sont ouvertes jusqu’au 25 septembre 2026 à 23h59.
From Tuesday – Saturday, 6-10 October 2026, from 09:00 WAT (08:00 UTC), under the High Patronage of the Government of the Republic of Chad, the ‘Internet Governance Forum for Central Africa (IGF-CA 2026)‘ will take place in person at the Radisson Blu Hotel in N’Djamena, Chad, and online to ensure inclusive participation. Held under the theme ‘Between Intelligence & Resilience: Uniting Central Africa for Inclusive & Sovereign Digital Governance‘, this edition aims to bring together public decision-makers, regulators, technical experts, researchers, civil society, women, youth, parliamentarians and the private sector in a high-level strategic dialogue on the sub-region’s digital future.
The IGF-CA is the sub-regional consultation framework bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to debate public policy on digital issues. Registration is open until 25 September 2026 at 23:59.
On Monday – Thursday, 2–5 November 2026, from 09:00 UTC, the Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) convenes the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026) at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, and online, under the theme ‘Advancing Africa’s Digital Future Through Innovation, Inclusion, and Trust‘. As Africa continues its digital transformation journey, the Forum focuses on fostering innovation, expanding digital inclusion, strengthening trust in digital systems, and promoting collaborative governance approaches that benefit all communities across the continent. The main track features high-level dialogues, panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and multistakeholder policy discussions.
Alongside the main track, AfIGF 2026 hosts a Youth Track, a Parliamentary Track, the 1st Africa Children’s IGF — a dedicated platform for children aged 13–17, held as a Day Zero event — and the inaugural African Judicial Dialogue on Internet Governance, bringing together judges from across Africa to examine the legal and policy implications of the continent’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. The African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) runs 28 October – 1 November 2026, ahead of the Forum.
Registration for both in-person and online participation is via the UN Accreditation System and requires a UN Indico account. The registration deadline is 15 September 2026.
Initiated in 2005 by the CTU and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the CIGF is the longest running Internet Governance Forum in the world; the CYIGF, first staged virtually in 2022 and recognised in July 2024 as a National and Regional IGF Initiative (NRI) of the UN IGF, is now independently coordinated by the Caribbean ICT Youth Network (CIYN) under CIGF auspices. The 22nd CIGF arrives at a pivotal moment for the region, as the conclusion of the WSIS+20 review and the implementation of the Global Digital Compact reshape the global digital agenda and call for a coordinated Caribbean response. Discussions will examine how the region can close its cybersecurity maturity gap, harness and govern the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, and advance development in ways that are effective, inclusive and sustainable, including the review and updating of the Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework.
09:00 – Welcome & Opening Remarks Rodney Taylor – Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)
09:10 – Intro to Internet Governance
An overview of Internet Governance, what it means, why it matters and how it applies to the Caribbean. Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU Bevil Wooding – ARIN
09:25 – Capacity Building Session 1 — Cybersecurity for Policymakers: From Strategy to Incident Readiness Candy Saunders-Alfred – CARICOM IMPACS Utica Alves – CARICOM Secretariat
09:55 – From Connectivity to Cyber Resilience: Grenada’s Pathway to a Secure, Trusted and Resilient Digital Future Jervis DaBreo – Grenada CSIRT
10:15 – DNS Abuse
What it is and what policy interventions can be considered to protect against it. Albert Daniels – ICANN
10:30 – Coffee Break
10:50 – Capacity Building Session 2 — Critical Internet Infrastructure Lab
A non-technical overview of IPv6, RPKI, routing security, DNS resilience, IXP development, local caching, and network measurement to create better understanding and awareness. Carlos Martínez – CTS, LACNIC
Moderator/Facilitator: Bevil Wooding – ARIN
11:30 – IXPs, Data Centres and Local Content
Case study of the Grenada IXP / data centre, and .gd domain management and common services. Brent McIntosh – NTRC, Grenada
12:00 – The Human Layer: Research, Capacity Building and the Technical Community Dr. Claire Craig – CaribNOG / ISOC
12:20 – Q&A
12:30 – Lunch Break
5th CYIGF
14:00 – Welcome Remarks Rodney Taylor – Secretary-General, CTU Tariq Mohammed – CIYN Chair
14:10 – Youth, AI & the Future of Digital Caribbean
How youth can leverage AI and other related digital tools to support their development, in the classroom or at the workplace. Shergaun Roserie – CEO, Obtronics Ltd. Joshua Andall – Youth Ambassador, CARICOM Steffan Boodhoo – Chief Technical Officer, Innovatech Enterprises Ltd. Shanelle McPherson – Board Member, ISOC Jamaica
Moderator: Tariq Mohammed – CIYN Chair & Advisor to the Secretary-General, CTU
15:00 – Youth in the Digital Space: Opportunities and Barriers
Opportunities for youth development within the digital space, whether locally, regionally or internationally, as well as potential barriers being experienced around the world, such as calls for, and implementations of, social media bans. Jalen Monzac – Programme Officer, Liberty Foundation Albert Daniels – Senior Manager, Stakeholder Engagement – the Caribbean, ICANN Andrew Sieupresad – Director, TAIROne Initiative and Community Director, IEEE Young Professionals Trinidad and Tobago Terren Finley – President, ISACA Student Group, Trinidad and Tobago
Moderator: Gabrielle Johnson – CIYN Vice-Chair, CTU
15:45 – Coffee Break
16:00 – From Clicks to Cash: Monetizing Caribbean Content Creation
The monetization of Caribbean content, pathways for jobs in the digital economy, and the associated barriers faced in the region, exploring the practical ways in which creators have overcome existing barriers and fostering collaborative pathways to support the creation of jobs in the creative space. Alyssa Bierzynski – Project Officer, Office of the Creatives, Grenada Government Jerome Mc Cave – Founder, TiketCaribbean
Moderators: Marlon McCarthy and Shariah Mohammed – Policy and Research Interns, CTU
16:45 – From Connectivity to Opportunity: Empowering Grenadian Youth to Shape a Safe, Inclusive Digital Future Zinzee Noel – Disability Advocate, UN Youth Advisory Group Micah Lambert – IT Educator | Speaker of the House of Youth Representatives in Grenada’s National Youth Parliament Keshawn Paul – IT District Officer, Ministry of Education Dericka Samuel – Educator / disability advocate / community advocate
Moderator: Teah Cummings – Consultant, NTRC
17:30 – Closing Remarks Gabrielle Johnson – CIYN Vice-Chair
DAY 2 – TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2026
Opening Ceremony
08:30 – Video on Grenada
09:00 – National Anthem
Invocation Pastor Noel Schultz
09:05 – Opening Remarks Rodney Taylor – Secretary-General, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)
09:10 – Greetings from Partner Organizations Albert Daniels – Senior Manager, Stakeholder Engagement – Caribbean, ICANN Christian O’Flaherty – VP, Latin America and the Caribbean, ISOC Paula Oteguy – Head of Multistakeholder Engagement, LACNIC Bevil Wooding – Director of Caribbean Affairs, ARIN & CAJS Jennifer Chung – UN IGF MAG Chair
09:35 – Cultural Performance One Unit Dance Grenada Lion Pride Percussions
09:50 – Feature Address Ron Redhead – Minister of Digital Transformation, Grenada
10:30 – Reflections on CIGF @ 22 Shanea Lewis – Policy Advisor, CTU
10:45 – National, Regional and Global IG Contexts
Reports from National, Regional and Global IGFs. Kevon Swift – Trinidad and Tobago MAG Max-Larson Henry – Haiti IGF Marcellus Constance – Saint Vincent and the Grenadines IGF Aggrey Marsh – Guyana IGF Vice-Minister, MINCOM – Cuba IGF Lilian Chamorro Rojas – Coordinator, LACIGF Tracy Hackshaw – SIDS IGF Anja Gengo – UN IGF Secretariat
12:15 – General Discussion and Q&A
12:30 – Lunch Break
Policy Forum
Policy Forum
14:00 – Aligning Implementation of WSIS+20 & GDC Paula Oteguy – LACNIC Israel Rosas – ISOC Nigel Cassimire – CTU Shanea Lewis – CTU
15:30 – Caribbean Internet Governance Policy Framework Workshop
Hot Topics in Internet Governance – Artificial Intelligence
09:10 – Hot Topic: Caribbean AI Strategy
CAIF forum and next steps. Edmund Burke – Digital Director, ICT Division, Grenada
09:45 – AI and Data Governance for Caribbean Public Institutions
Focus on issues around public-sector digital development, including AI procurement, AI in education, privacy and data management. Ravi Deonarine – Manager, Infrastructure & High Performance Compute, UWI-AIIC Shernon Osepa – CTU
Moderator/Facilitator: Edmund Burke – Digital Director, ICT Division, Grenada
10:30 – Coffee Break
Grenada Digital Resilience Lab: Lessons for Small Island Internet Governance
10:45 – Opening Remarks and Presentation on Grenada Digital Agenda Ron Redhead – Minister for Digital Transformation, with responsibility for Information and Communications Technology
11:10 – Panel: Local ICT Companies
Beyond connectivity: how ICT companies can drive digital innovation, cyber resilience and economic growth in Grenada. Clevon Noel – Metarelic Cameron Philbert – Digital Growth Chad Fraser – Sonover Oluwatosin (Tosin) Ishmeal – Datanexis Technologies Kimanii Daniel Dwight McIntyre
Moderator: Teah Cummings
12:15 – Session Closure
12:30 – Lunch Break
Policy Synthesis
13:30 – Policy Synthesis and Strategic Priorities: Charting a Coherent Path for Caribbean Internet Governance
Integrating insights across sessions to inform regional action, collaboration, and representation in global forums. CIGPF. Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU Shanea Lewis – Policy Advisor, CTU Tariq Mohammed – CIYN Chair
Gabrielle Johnson – CIYN Vice-Chair
15:15 – Coffee Break
15:30 – Open Microphone
16:00 – Conclusions and Next Steps Nigel Cassimire – CTU
Building on the 2nd SIDS IGF, the 3rd SIDS IGF undertook a comprehensive stocktaking exercise to assess achievements, challenges and emerging priorities across the SIDS Internet governance landscape. A central thematic priority was strengthening cyber resilience, alongside emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced data analytics – the digital implications of climate change, and digital sustainability. Proposed as the first in-person IGF for the Indian Ocean region, it was designed to bridge the three recognised SIDS groupings: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and AIMS.
01 Opening Remarks
Mahendra Busgopaul – Halley Movement, Mauritius Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU Hon. Lutchmanah Raj Pentiah – Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Mauritius
MC: Leena Devi Boodhoo – Youth Director, Halley Movement
Olaf Kolkman – Executive Advisor and Spokesperson, Internet Society Jennifer Chung – Chair, IGF MAG / VP Policy, DotAsia Organisation
Moderator: Maureen Hilyard – DC-SIDS / Trustee, Internet Society
03 The Digital Leap: Transforming SIDS through Secure, Resilient, and Smart Technologies
Tracy Hackshaw – Senior Digital Economy Strategist, Universal Postal Union (UPU) Russell Woruba – Deputy Secretary for Digital Government Coordination and Delivery, Government of Papua New Guinea
Moderator: Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU
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![Confirmed — that settles the format. HYBRID stands on the definition (physical venue + a direct online participation path), and the Indico account requirement is worth carrying in the block since it's a real friction point for remote viewers. Provenance noted: this comes from you, not from the page. Full block, revised: --- **HYBRID 02 NOV [start time not stated] UTC - 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026)** *(Format: HYBRID confirmed — in-person in Accra plus online participation. Online participation registration is via UN Indico and **requires a UN Indico account**; confirmed by Joly, who registered. The landing page itself only shows a section headed "In-Person & Online Registration" with a single Indico link and does not describe the online participation path.)* The **2026 Africa Internet Governance Forum**, styled on the page as "Welcome to 2026 Africa Internet Governance Forum" and elsewhere as the **15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026)**, takes place in **Accra, Ghana**. The core AfIGF 2026 programme runs **2–5 November 2026**. **No start time and no timezone are stated anywhere on the page**, so the UTC value in the title line cannot be derived from this source. (Accra is UTC+0 year-round, but the page states no local start time to convert.) **⚠ Venue conflict within the single source.** The page body places the Forum in Accra, Ghana ("Experience the Beauty, Culture, and Warmth of Accra"; "2026 Africa Internet Governance Forum Accra, Ghana"). The site header, footer, and Contact Information block all give the address as **"Africa Hall and ECA Conference Center, Menelik II Ave, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia"**. Both appear on https://igf.africa/africa-igf-2026/ . Looks like a stale template address, but not silently resolvable — **verify the Accra venue before publishing**; no Accra venue name is given on the page. **Hosting organisation.** The site is the **Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF)**, with a Secretariat and a MAG (Multistakeholder Advisory Group) — both terms used unexpanded on the page beyond the menu labels "Secretariat" and "MAG Members". Ghana is named as host country, with the **Host Country Website** linking to https://moc.gov.gh/ (Ghana's Ministry of Communications — **the page does not spell out this ministry's name**; the link is labelled "Host Country Website" only). **No explicit statement of who convenes or co-organises the Forum appears on this page.** **Partners and sponsors** are shown as logos only, under "Our Partners and Sponsors — Collaborating for a Connected and Inclusive Africa", with no accompanying text assigning roles. Identifiable from image filenames and link targets: MOC Ghana; ECA; AU; **UNDESA** (https://www.un.org/en/desa); **ISOC Foundation** (https://www.isocfoundation.org/); **ICANN** (https://www.icann.org/en); **Ethiopian Airlines** (https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/); **AFRINIC** (https://www.afrinic.net/). Names as rendered in logo filenames, not as written prose — treat with care. **Description, in the page's own framing.** Under "Main Thematic Areas and Subthemes — Advancing Africa's Digital Future Through Innovation, Inclusion, and Trust": as Africa continues its digital transformation journey, the 2026 Forum focuses on fostering innovation, expanding digital inclusion, strengthening trust in digital systems, and promoting collaborative governance approaches that benefit all communities across the continent. The Forum is presented as "A multi-stakeholder forum — Inclusive Internet governance dialogue." **Tracks.** The page announces "Four different Tracks" but then lists five items: - **Main Africa IGF Track** — 2–5 November 2026, "featuring high-level dialogues, panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and multistakeholder policy discussions." - **Youth Track** (https://igf.africa/youth-track/) — "Coming Soon". - **Parliamentarian Track** (https://igf.africa/parliamentary-track/) — "Coming Soon". *(Menu elsewhere calls this "Parliamentary Track".)* - **African School on IG (AfriSIG)** (https://afrisig.org/) — the African School on Internet Governance will be held **28 October to 1 November 2026**, ahead of the Forum. - **Children's IGF Track** — the 1st Africa Children's IGF, "a dedicated platform for children aged 13–17 to engage in meaningful discussions on Internet governance, digital technologies, and the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa's digital future." Held as a **Day Zero event** of AfIGF 2026 in Accra. ⚠ The Children's IGF card links to https://igf.africa/parliamentary-track/ , not to the Children's track page listed in the menu (https://igf.africa/children-igf-track/) — apparent broken link on the page. - **Judicial Dialogue on Internet Governance** — the Inaugural African Judicial Dialogue on Internet Governance, "a high-level special track during the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026) in Accra, Ghana," bringing together judges from across Africa to examine the legal and policy implications of the continent's rapidly evolving digital landscape. ⚠ This card also links to https://afrisig.org/ rather than https://igf.africa/judicial-dialogue-on-internet-governance/ . **Speakers, moderators, facilitators, hosts: none listed.** The page carries no names of any individuals. Agenda and the SCHED schedule are both marked "Coming Soon"; Visa Requirements, Tourism Areas, Accommodation, and Flight Information are also "Coming Soon". **URLs.** - Landing page: https://igf.africa/africa-igf-2026/ - Registration (in-person & online, via UN Indico; **UN Indico account required**): https://indico.un.org/event/1024148/registrations/26700/ - Session proposals (Sessionize): https://sessionize.com/africaigf-2026 — "Open from 20 Jun - 20 Jul 2026" (window has closed); call text at https://igf.africa/2026-session-proposals/ - YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@africaigf — **listed as a site-wide social link in header and footer; no livestream URL, stream schedule, or statement that sessions will be webcast appears on this page.** - WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CRGL1MbWppAIIsbKuJKBaf (link labelled "Join the Official Africa IGF **2025** WhatsApp Community" at https://igf.africa/join-the-official-africa-igf-2025-whatsapp-community/ — 2025 in the label, presented under 2026 quick links) - Accommodation: https://igf.africa/accomodation-2026/ *(spelling as on site)* - Travel & logistics: https://igf.africa/travel-2026 - Related announcement: https://igf.africa/ghana-is-hosting-the-15th-africa-internet-governance-forum-afigf-2026/ - Contact email: info@igf.africa **Open items to resolve before publishing:** start time and timezone; Accra venue name; Accra vs. Addis Ababa address conflict; whether the online participation platform (Zoom, or Indico-hosted, or other) is named anywhere, and whether a public YouTube stream will run alongside it; agenda/SCHED once published; any named speakers. If the Indico event page (https://indico.un.org/event/1024148/) shows dates, times, timezone, or a venue that the landing page doesn't, that's the fastest fix for the time and venue gaps — though it may be behind the login now that you're registered, in which case it's an extension pass rather than a fetch.](https://i0.wp.com/isoc.live/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/africa-igf-2026.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1)
