At the UN's Internet Governance Forum, U.S. representatives will engage global stakeholders to advance human rights and digital policy goals.
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| U.S. officials will advocate for global digital rights and policy priorities at the 19th Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh, December 15-19, 2024. Symbolic image |
Washington, USA – December 14, 2024:
Representatives from the U.S. Department of State and other federal agencies will participate in the 19th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF), taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 15-19, 2024. The forum, hosted by the United Nations, serves as a leading platform for global stakeholders to discuss pressing Internet governance and public policy issues.
The U.S. delegation includes Jennifer Bachus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy; Allison Peters, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; and Jaisha Wray, Assistant Administrator for the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
The United States has long championed a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance, emphasizing global connectivity, inclusivity, and respect for human rights. During the forum, the U.S. representatives will advocate for the protection of fundamental freedoms online, including freedom of expression and protection from surveillance, censorship, and reprisals. They will also promote international cooperation on digital policy issues, including combating ransomware, fostering multilingualism, ensuring child online safety, and advancing rights-respecting technology governance.
"This year’s IGF offers an invaluable opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and reinforce U.S. commitments to digital solidarity and human rights in the online sphere," said the State Department in a statement.
The forum is expected to bring together governments, civil society, businesses, and academics to shape the future of Internet governance and address emerging global challenges in the digital landscape.