Who Really Runs the Internet? Insights from the Internet Society

Embracing Multistakeholder Governance: A Path to Inclusive and Effective Internet Management

In an era where the internet permeates every facet of our lives, from communication to commerce, the question of who governs this vast digital landscape has become increasingly pertinent. The concept of “multistakeholder governance” has emerged as a pivotal framework, advocating for the collaborative involvement of diverse groups in shaping internet policies and practices. This approach ensures that the internet remains a tool that favors no single entity, fostering permissionless innovation and inclusivity.

Understanding Multistakeholder Governance

At its core, multistakeholder governance involves the collective participation of various stakeholders—governments, private sector entities, civil society organizations, technical communities, and academia—in decision-making processes related to internet management. This collaborative model aims to balance the interests of all parties, promoting policies that are both effective and equitable.

Recent Developments in Multistakeholder Governance

Several significant events and initiatives have underscored the growing emphasis on multistakeholder governance:

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Governance Refresh: In January 2025, GRI announced a renewal of its governance bodies, including the Supervisory Board, the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), and the Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC). These appointments reflect a commitment to diverse and inclusive representation, ensuring that GRI’s standards remain relevant and of the highest quality. (globalreporting.org)

• FAO’s Agrifood Systems Dialogue: In March 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) organized an inter-country learning dialogue on multistakeholder governance for agrifood systems transformation. This event brought together 57 participants from 14 countries to share experiences and discuss strategies for sustainable agrifood systems, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance in addressing global challenges. (fao.org)

• WSIS+20 High-Level Event: Scheduled for July 10, 2025, this event titled “From Principles to Practice: Operationalizing Multistakeholder Governance” aims to transition from theoretical frameworks to practical implementation of multistakeholder approaches in digital governance. The session will explore how multilateralism and multistakeholderism can work in tandem to address the evolving challenges of internet governance. (itu.int)

• World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Initiative: In November 2023, the World Economic Forum emphasized the necessity of a multistakeholder approach to AI governance. Recognizing the rapid advancement of AI technologies, the Forum called for collaborative efforts to mitigate risks and harness opportunities, underscoring the role of diverse stakeholders in guiding responsible AI development. (weforum.org)

The Role of Multistakeholder Governance in Internet Management

The significance of multistakeholder governance lies in its ability to:

• Ensure Inclusivity: By involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders, this model ensures that policies reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of the global internet community.

• Promote Transparency and Accountability: Collaborative decision-making processes enhance transparency, fostering trust among stakeholders and holding parties accountable for their actions.

• Adapt to Rapid Technological Changes: The dynamic nature of the internet and emerging technologies necessitate flexible governance structures. Multistakeholder approaches are better equipped to adapt to these changes, ensuring that policies remain relevant and effective.

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite its advantages, the multistakeholder model faces challenges:

• Ensuring Meaningful Participation: It’s crucial to move beyond tokenistic involvement, ensuring that all stakeholders have a genuine influence on decision-making processes.

• Balancing Diverse Interests: Reconciling the often conflicting interests of various stakeholders requires skillful negotiation and compromise.

• Securing Adequate Resources: Effective participation demands resources, and ensuring that all stakeholders, especially from developing regions, have the capacity to engage meaningfully is essential.

To address these challenges, ongoing efforts include:

• Capacity Building: Initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and resources of stakeholders, particularly from underrepresented regions, to participate effectively.

• Strengthening Coordination: Improving collaboration among different forums and organizations to prevent fragmentation and ensure cohesive governance.

• Institutionalizing the Model: Efforts to embed multistakeholder governance into formal structures, such as the upcoming WSIS+20 review, aim to provide a long-term mandate for this approach. (dig.watch)

As the internet continues to evolve, the need for inclusive, transparent, and adaptable governance structures becomes increasingly critical. Multistakeholder governance offers a promising framework to navigate the complexities of digital management, ensuring that the internet remains a resource that serves the collective interests of all. By embracing this collaborative approach, we can foster a digital environment that is equitable, innovative, and resilient.

Recent Developments in Multistakeholder Governance:

• GRI’s Governance Refresh: In January 2025, GRI announced a renewal of its governance bodies, including the Supervisory Board, the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB), and the Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC). These appointments reflect a commitment to diverse and inclusive representation, ensuring that GRI’s standards remain relevant and of the highest quality. (globalreporting.org)

• FAO’s Agrifood Systems Dialogue: In March 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) organized an inter-country learning dialogue on multistakeholder governance for agrifood systems transformation. This event brought together 57 participants from 14 countries to share experiences and discuss strategies for sustainable agrifood systems, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance in addressing global challenges. (fao.org)

• WSIS+20 High-Level Event: Scheduled for July 10, 2025, this event titled “From Principles to Practice: Operationalizing Multistakeholder Governance” aims to transition from theoretical frameworks to practical implementation of multistakeholder approaches in digital governance. The session will explore how multilateralism and multistakeholderism can work in tandem to address the evolving challenges of internet governance. (itu.int)

• World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Initiative: In November 2023, the World Economic Forum emphasized the necessity of a multistakeholder approach to AI governance. Recognizing the rapid advancement of AI technologies, the Forum called for collaborative efforts to mitigate risks and harness opportunities, underscoring the role of diverse stakeholders in guiding responsible AI development. (weforum.org)

• ICANN’s Call for Enhanced Multistakeholder Approach: In June 2024, during the 80th high-level government meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Kigali, global officials called for heightened cooperation among stakeholders to advance internet governance and digital inclusivity. They emphasized the indispensable role of multistakeholderism in shaping the future of internet governance. (bignewsnetwork.com)

• APrIGF 2024 Reflections: In September 2024, the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) 2024 highlighted the importance of multistakeholder digital governance for the meaningful use of the internet and other technologies. The event underscored the need for a collaborative approach to address challenges such as connectivity, affordability, digital rights, and cybersecurity. (globaldigitalinclusion.org)

• NETmundial+10 Conference: In April 2024, the NETmundial+10 conference in São Paulo, Brazil, revisited the principles for multistakeholder approaches to internet governance established a decade prior. The conference aimed to produce updated guidelines and reaffirm commitments to the multistakeholder model within the field. (gp-digital.org)

• ICANN Community’s Role in Internet Governance: In September 2024, discussions emphasized the role of the ICANN community in global internet governance. The multistakeholder approach was recognized as the most appropriate way to address the continually evolving internet and its challenges, with forums like the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) acting as open platforms for community discussions. (circleid.com)

• CENTR’s Paper on Multistakeholder Internet Governance: In February 2024, the Council of European National Top-level Domain Registries (CENTR) released a paper highlighting the importance of the multistakeholder approach to internet governance. The paper emphasized consensus-based decision-making and the adaptability of the internet, attributes largely attributable to the inclusive and collaborative nature of multistakeholder governance. (circleid.com)

• i2Coalition’s Internet Governance Workshop: In May 2023, the i2Coalition hosted a workshop titled “Internet Governance: A Resilient Multistakeholder Model in Times of Change.” The event focused on defending and empowering the multistakeholder approach, emphasizing its role as the DNA of internet governance. (i2coalition.com)

• Digital Watch Observatory’s Insights: In 2025, the Digital Watch Observatory highlighted key takeaways on multistakeholder digital governance beyond 2025. The insights emphasized the need for meaningful participation, the role of National and Regional Internet Governance Forums (NRIs), and the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of internet governance. (dig.watch)

These developments reflect a global recognition of the importance of multistakeholder governance in addressing the complex and evolving challenges of internet management. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders