The 17th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) hosted by the Government of Ethiopia kicked off today (November 28) in Addis Ababa with a theme “Resilient Internet for a Shared Sustainable and Common Future.”Today, Higher level officials, including Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, UNECA Acting Executive Secretary Mr. Antonio Pedro, Ethiopian Communications Authority Director General Eng. Balcha Reba, and other governmental and non-governmental higher officials, discussed issues related to universal, affordable, and meaningful internet connectivity.
During the discussion, the panelists outlined the way forward such as formulating policy frameworks, narrowing the digital-gender gap, teaching digital skills at primary education level, lowering tax tariffs on digital devices, providing device subsidies for rural areas, providing service funds for infrastructure development, increasing multi-stakeholder participation in making the internet more affordable for all.
The meeting is taking place in a hybrid format to accommodate stakeholders who are in Addis Ababa in person or online.
