Resolution on governance of the internet – renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on governance of the internet – renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups.

The main role and function of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is to discuss a wide range of issues related to internet governance and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to the international community.

Parliament stated that the internet must be and must remain open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, secure and governed for all by all. In this regard, it called on the UN General Assembly to permanently renew the mandate of the IGF, and to strengthen its resources and the multistakeholder model of internet governance. Member States and the Commission are called on to increase their efforts to secure a positive outcome for the future of the IGF through a UN General Assembly resolution by the end of this year.

Moreover, Parliament called for continued support by the Member States and the EU institutions to develop the IGF as an efficient and independent organisation capable of exercising its mandate and contributing to the evolving model of internet governance.

Parliament considered that, although the IGF does not adopt formal conclusions, the EU’s responsibility is to support this process and to raise the issue of the impact of these exchanges in policy discussions, as the IGF offers a positive and specific context for shaping the internet’s future on the basis of a multistakeholder approach.

Parliament intends to continue to participate in future IGF meetings with a substantial delegation in order to contribute effectively to formulating an EU approach to the governance of the internet together with the Member States and the Commission.

Stressing that fundamental freedoms and human rights are non-negotiable and must be protected both online and offline, Members strongly rejected the idea of a state- or corporate-controlled internet and mass surveillance on the internet. Moreover, they considered affordable high-speed connectivity to be essential for an inclusive digital environment that leaves no one behind.