Global Internet Governance: Should there be an enhanced role for the U.N.?
Channel: Congressional Internet Caucus Academy
Date: 2012-01-19

Global Internet Governance: Should there be an enhanced role for the U.N.?

Monday, September 12, 2005

The U.N. Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) has issued a report recommending four new models for Internet governance, all of which call for more intergovernmental involvement in what is now primarily a private-sector-led endeavor. The report also calls for the creation of a new global information and communication technologies (ICT) dialogue forum to debate these issues. In a two-week meeting, held in September 2005 in Geneva, U.S. Ambassador Gross pressed for a more focused discussion on substantive Internet public policy issues, such as spam and cyber security, which threaten the Internet's evolution, and advocate for continuation of a market-based, private-sector-led approach to Internet development. The discussions lead to a final UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis in November 2005.

Ambassador Gross and Assistant Secretary Gallagher briefed congressional staff on this timely and important issue, while preparing for their negotiations. The Ambassador lead the delegation to the Geneva meeting and to the culminating Summit in Tunis. Mr. Gallagher is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and as the Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is the President's principal adviser on communications policy. NTIA currently serves as the steward of the Internet's domain name and address system.

On October 24, 2005 the four Co-Chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus sent a letter to President Bush applauding the administration's position that governance of the Internet should not be transferred to an international government organization. The letter, from Senators Burns and Leahy and Congressmen Goodlatte and Boucher, urges the President to take a strong stand at the World Summit.

Panelists

Ambassador David Gross, U.S. Department of State
Ambassador David A. Gross has served since August 2001 as the U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate.

Michael Gallagher, U.S. Department of Commerce
Michael D. Gallagher was nominated by President George W. Bush on October 14, 2003 to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Mr. Gallagher serves as the Acting Assistant Secretary and NTIA's Acting Administrator pending Senate action on the nomination.

This event is hosted jointly by the Internet Caucus and its Co-Chairs - Senators Burns and Leahy and Congressmen Goodlatte and Boucher.

http://netcaucus.org/events/2005/wsis/