Honourable Minister of Information and Communications of the Republic of Kenya, Samuel Poghisio
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union, Mr Hamadoun Toure
Honourable Ministers
Chair of the Internet Governance Forum, Ms Alice Munyua
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
1. I would like to express the appreciation of the Government of Kenya and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) by the South Africa, for bringing the Internet Governance forum back to Africa for the second time, and for hosting this High Level Ministerial Forum on Internet Governance together with the ITU.
2. The government of South Africa emphasises in its programme the view that the internet has become a critical tool for national cohesion and poverty eradication in national development.
3. It is already widely recognised that investment by developing countries in ICTs yields positive multiplier effects towards economic growth. Further, there are many areas in which the use of the internet offers the possibility of supporting the more efficient and extensive provision of key services, such as e-government, e-education and e-health – these are areas that can directly impact on the well-being of our people. In addition, the internet is a dynamic environment that allows for innovation and the development of new solutions by society as a whole.
4. We have also seen the impact of the internet in social, political and economic transformation. The internet is changing the way we do things, both nationally and globally. I am not just referring to political upheavals in some countries, where ICTs played a role.
It is also apparent in the use of social networking by our young people as part of their daily lives. The internet has had a major influence as a modern device on the architecture of our economies, the architecture of our societies and in the development of human capital and the enhancement of knowledge within society.
5. Clearly the internet has a huge impact on public policy. It is our view that Governments have to be involved in the development of public policy to ensure that the internet develops in ways that offer the most benefit to humankind. This necessitates debates on the development of inclusive and democratic international governance structures to address public policy with respect to the internet.
6. This Forum could therefore make a valuable contribution towards implementing the decisions of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) with regard to Internet Governance. The Tunis Agenda of WSIS refers to the role and responsibility of governments to address issues of public policy with respect to the Internet, on an equal footing, but also involving all stakeholders in their respective roles.
This Tunis Agenda also underlined the need to maximise the participation of developing countries in decisions regarding Internet Governance, which should reflect their interests.
7. I would like to emphasise the need for inclusivity in the global system, and for fair and transparent multilateral decision making, so that all countries, including developing countries, can participate in addressing public policy issues that pertain to the internet, in line with the WSIS outcomes.
Decisions concerning Internet Governance, Cybersecurity and the future of the Internet cannot just be the preserve of the powerful and dominant vested interests.
Ladies and gentlemen,
8. It is critical that the international community collectively addresses issues of cybersecurity, cybercrime and issues affecting children, including access to inappropriate content and child pornography. These issues have to be addressed at a policy level and in an inclusive manner.
People engaging in illegal activities on the internet can’t be allowed to exist outside of legal frameworks and jurisdictions. Similarly, all countries have the right not to be cut off from the internet by any country or agency.
We can’t actively promote the use of the internet and development of the Information Society, without addressing these issues. We have to ensure the internet will be safe and secure for everyone. In this we should pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, including youth, women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly.
9. With respect to Broadband, Government has committed itself to a public private industry compact to improve capabilities in the ICT industry and commit to the achievement of Broadband and 100% Internet penetration by 2020. A major focus is to build infrastructure in the rural areas and to increase competition to increase access and reduce costs, to ensure affordability and sustainable development.
I thank you.
