IGF 2013 Bali will go ahead!

Mohammad Kawsar Uddin

Recently a letter was sent to the United Nations (UNDESA) from the Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) confirming that Host Country Agreement is agreed in principle and will be signed formally by 20 August 2013 after the end of the major Indonesian National Holiday of Idul Fitri.

The Indonesian Internet Governance Forum (ID-IGF) committee met with MCIT Minister Tifatul Sembiring who confirmed his commitment to and support for IGF 2013 Bali. Andi Budimansyah (Chairman– Indonesia cc-TLD PANDI) commented, “As we had reported to MCIT Minister, we are happy to share that the ID-IGF Multi-Stakeholder Organizing Committee’s preparations are in place and we look forward to welcoming the world to Bali. The letter sent to the UNDESA gives us a clear mandate to continue all preparations needed for a successful meeting of 2500 global delegates in Bali.”

Ashwin Sasongko (Director General of MCIT) stated, “Indonesia is a regional leader in the information and digital society. We invite the global internet leaders to join us in Bali to discuss relevant issues in cyber space especially matters concerning global ethical principles that we all share, to achieve a safer cyber space for all.”

From civil society’s representative, Shita Laksmi (Deputy Chair of ID-IGF and also from HIVOS Southeast Asia) said, “The active Indonesian Internet civil society invites the global civil society to join us in Bali in relevant debates and dialogue that matter to all internet users. It is really important for better transparent and accountable Internet governance, globally.”

Chengetai Masango of the IGF Secretariat expressed his confidence that the ID-IGF Multi-Stakeholder Organizing Committee is well-positioned and prepared to host the Global IGF in Bali this October.