The 20th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was hosted by the Government of Norway in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025, under the overarching theme Building Digital Governance Together.
Diplo and the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) participated in the 20th IGF in several tracks, providing just-in-time reporting and contributing to discussions during the forum.
We exhibited both on-site in Lillestrøm, Norway, and online through our Virtual Booth in the IGF Village.
Just-in-time reporting
We are pleased to share that Diplo partnered with the IGF Secretariat and the Government of Norway (as host country) to deliver AI-enabled, just-in-time reporting from the IGF 2025 meeting. Building on a decade of just-in-time IGF reporting, we provided timely and comprehensive coverage from the forum. Our reporting initiative included session reports, an ‘Ask IGF 2025’ AI assistant, daily highlights, and more. These artefacts can be accessed on the IGF 2025 web page on Digital Watch. Our IGF session reports and newsletters can also be accessed through the Dig.Watch News+ app.
Diplo sessions
Book launch: What changes and remains the same in 20 years in the life of Kurbalija’s book on internet governance?
Wednesday, 25 June, 10:00 – 10:30 | Workshop room 4 | Event link on the IGF website
The Introduction to Internet Governance, a publication that has served to many as the entry point to the world of issues related to how the Internet is governed. Holistically describing and analysing the various ‘baskets’ of Internet governance taxonomy, it keeps evolving as do the issues covered. The 8th edition of Jovan Kurbalija’s bookwas presented at the Internet Governance Forum in Norway. This book clearly shows that although the internet is a ‘technical’ invention, its governance is far from simply a technical issue. The Lightning Talk provided an update on the new issues this policy field has had to absorb in recent years and touched upon some open questions, such as why we should keep calling internet governance internet governance. Read the session report.
Participated: Jovan Kurbalija, Sorina Teleanu
Diplo and CADE
Day 2 NS #93: Cyber laws and civic space: GN-GS advocacy strategies (Organised by CADE)
Wednesday, 25 June, 09:00-09:45 CEST (07:00-07:45 UTC) | Workshop room 4 | Event link on the IGF website
This session convened civil society organisations (CSOs) from both the Global North and Global South to discuss two key areas:(a) how the Global South’s lived experiences with repressive cyber laws can inform Global North advocacy, and (b) how the Global North’s resources and policy influence can support Global South efforts in challenging these laws. This structured networking session focused on equipping CSOs to share practical tools and develop joint approaches to counter the erosion of freedom of expression, political opposition, and civic participation. Read the session report.
Participating: Stephanie Borg Psaila
Day 3 LT #90 Tower of Babel Chaos (Organised by CADE)
Thursday, 26 June, 12:30-13:00 CEST (10:30-11:00 UTC) | Open stage | Event link on the IGF website
This lightning session, led by members of the CADE consortium, used a dynamic, flash mob-style simulation to highlight the challenges of multilingual communication in global processes. Reflecting CADE’s diverse membership, the session recreated a ‘Tower of Babel’ experience, inviting participants to speak in their native languages and attempt spontaneous communication. Prepared placards and handouts guided self-organisation. The activity was followed by a group discussion on real-world solutions to language barriers, focusing on adaptation, inclusion, and communication accommodations. Online participation was not available. Read the session report.
Participating: Virginia (Ginger) Paque and Slavica Karajicic
Sessions with Diplo involvement
Day 0 event #79 WGIG+20: Glancing backward and looking forward
Monday, 23 June, 10:45 – 12:15 CEST | Workshop room 5 | Event link on IGF website
The roundtable, moderated by the former WGIG Executive Coordinator, revisited the legacy of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG), which played a pivotal role in shaping global internet governance during the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The roundtable revisited the WGIG’s legacy through three themes:
- Nature of internet governance: Assessing whether the 2005 definition remains relevant amid evolving digital governance debates.
- Multilateral vs. multistakeholder governance: Examining ongoing tensions between these approaches and the applicability of WGIG’s models today.
- IGF’s evolution: Evaluating the IGF’s alignment with the WGIG’s vision and its potential future reforms.
An open discussion invited participant input before concluding with reflections on the IGF’s role in the 2025 WSIS Review. The session highlighted the WGIG’s enduring influence while exploring contemporary challenges in digital governance. Read the session report.
Participating: Jovan Kurbalija
Day 1 Open Forum #33: Building an international AI cooperation ecosystem
Tuesday, 24 June, 16:00 – 17:00 CEST (14:00 – 15:00 UTC) | Workshop Room 5 | Event link on the IGF website
The rapid global advancement of AI technologies has exerted profound impacts on economic and social development as well as human civilisation, bringing tremendous opportunities to the world. However, with the explosive growth of the new generation of AI technologies, emerging issues such as ethical controversies, security risks, and privacy breaches have posed significant risks to economic development and social operations.
Closely aligned with the theme of the 20th IGF, the theme of this open forum was Building an International AI Cooperation Ecosystem Based on Extensive Consultation, Joint Contribution, and Shared Benefits, which addressed two critical dimensions: fostering a sound policy environment for AI and building an innovative cooperative ecosystem for AI. It aimed to provide valuable insights and solutions for promoting international AI cooperation and nurturing a thriving AI development ecosystem. By jointly constructing a community of shared future in cyberspace, this initiative sought to contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. Read the session report.
Participating: Jovan Kurbalija
Day 1 Parliamentary session 5: Parliamentary exchange: Enhancing digital policy practices
Tuesday, 24 June, 16:30 – 17:30 CEST (14:30 – 15:30 UTC) | Studio N | Event link on the IGF website
In this session, MPs exchanged current practices in their respective parliaments that aim at contributing to a healthy information ecosystem and upholding freedom of expression, while protecting citizens, including the most vulnerable, from online harms. All participating parliamentarians were invited to share their experiences and contribute approaches to combating false and harmful content and ensuring safer digital spaces – both those that have worked and those that have proved less effective. Through peer learning and discussion, the concluding session of the Parliamentary Track aimed to foster collaboration and inspire actionable solutions across jurisdictions. Read the session report.
Participating: Sorina Teleanu
Day 2 The governance of artificial intelligence
Wednesday, 25 June, 11:30 – 13:00 CEST (09:30-11:00 UTC) | Plenary Hall | Event link on IGF website
This session explored critical questions shaping the future of global AI governance. Participants examined the feasibility and inclusivity of emerging governance mechanisms, assessing whether they are equipped to address both current and future challenges related to AI development and deployment. Discussions also considered the role of the private sector and other key actors in ensuring AI systems uphold human rights, reflect diverse perspectives, and are built on balanced data. Additionally, the session reflected on how to enhance the relevance and impact of multistakeholder forums—such as the IGF—in AI governance, identifying incentives and formats that encourage broader and more active engagement. Finally, it highlighted opportunities for strengthening collaboration at national, regional, and global levels, including through regulatory sandboxes, frameworks, and the exchange of best practices. Read the session report.
Participating: Jovan Kurbalija
Day 4 Main session on Internet fragmentation
Friday, 27 June, 9:00 – 10:15 CEST (07:00-08:15 UTC) | Conference Hall | Event link on IGF website
The session—and the broader PNIF 2025 process—aimed to further deepen the inclusive dialogue on internet fragmentation. Central to the discussion was how the multistakeholder community can continue to monitor trends, discuss developments, raise warnings, and educate about the potential causes of fragmentation, both within the framework of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and in wider contexts. Read the session report.
Participating: Marilia Maciel
Sessions with CADE involvement
Day 4 OF #34 How Do Technical Standards Shape Connectivity and Inclusion?
Friday, 27 June, 9:00-10:00 (07:00-08:00 UTC) | Workshop room 2 | Event link on the IGF website
This session examined how open and interoperable standards can bridge the digital divide, focusing on infrastructure such as undersea cables, network protocols, and security frameworks. It addressed barriers to inclusive participation in standard-setting bodies (e.g. ITU, IETF, IEEE, W3C) and exploreed strategies to enhance transparency and engagement. Highlighting the role of multistakeholder cooperation in supporting WSIS Action Lines (C2, C3, C11) and the SDGs, the session offered expert insights and interactive discussions to develop actionable recommendations. Its goal was to promote inclusive standards that advance accessibility, connectivity, and a more equitable, secure, and resilient digital ecosystem. Read the session report.
Participating: Stephanie Borg Psaila
Diplo/GIP and CADE booth in the IGF village
If you attended the IGF in Norway, we hope you had a chance to visit our Diplo and GIP booth (number 45) and the CADE booth (number 57) where we showcased key publications and initiatives and engaged with participants.
Event gallery
Related actors: Internet Governance Forum
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