The Vanuatu Internet Governance Forum (Vanuatu IGF) is part of the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a multistakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of
public policy issues pertaining to the internet. The Vanuatu IGF was established under the Council of Ministers Decision No. 083 of 2019.
Vanuatu IGF exists to foster dialogue between all local stakeholders from government, private sector,
civil society, technical community and consumers on internet governance issues. We aim to grow our internet governance capacity
that is based on our traditional values, respect, inclusiveness,and trust. Our scope of work revolves around raising awareness to promote a better understanding
of internet governance.
As a platform for discussions, the Vanuatu IGF brings various people and stakeholder groups to the table as equals to exchange information,
share good policies and practices relating to the Internet and technologies, facilitate common understandings and
knowledge exchange of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges as they arise.
While the Vanuatu IGF does not have decision-making mandate, we serve to inform and inspire those who do.
Our Vision
Grow our internet governance capacity based on our traditional values, respect, inclusiveness, and trust.
Our Mission
To foster dialogue between all stakeholders, government, parliamentarians, private sector, civil society,
technical community and consumers on issues of Internet governance in Vanuatu.
The Importance of Vanuatu IGF
As seen in the past Internet Governance forums (2015, 2016, 2017), it is important to maintain an open
and safe Internet environment. Where Internet communities in Vanuatu come together and discussed issues
and find solutions that will help shaped the Internet policy of Vanuatu. Over the past decade,
there had been many innovations, all of which affects all Internet users, whether as professionals,
online shoppers, or on-line bank users, thus it is important that all Internet users in Vanuatu participate in such discussion.
In addition, Vanuatu IGF is a unique platform of discussion, and has the ability
to facilitate discourse between representatives of the government, intergovernmental organizations,
private companies, technical community and civil society organizations that deal with, or, are interested
in Internet governance related public policy issues. VanIGF gatherings, also discussed proposed responses
that includes regulatory frameworks, potential risks, global trends, as well as best and worst practices that had been
adopted or might currently be under discussion. Other topics of interests discussed during Van IGF gatherings includes topics such as the impact of recommendations and other
documents adopted in previous forums within the Internet governance ecosystem.
Key Issues Discussed
• Cybersecurity and cyber-threats
• Critical internet resources
• Fake news
• The role of government in policy making in the digital age
• Emergence of global, internet societies
• Access, diversity, inclusion
• Artificial Intelligence
Impacts of VanIGF
• Raise awareness, build capacity and promote a better understanding of Internet governance related matters among the stakeholders of their respective communities
• Facilitate multistakeholder discussion and exchanges of ideas and opinions
• Seek to foster multistakeholder collaboration among the stakeholders from their respective communities and
• Bring the perspectives of the respective communities to the global IGF agenda and reflect the perspectives of the global IGF into the NRIs events, where and when relevant and needed.
How is VanIGF funded
• VanIGF depends on the generosity of donors and Sponsors
Who participates at the VanIGF
All Stakeholders are welcome to participate. This includes; representatives from government,
private sector, civil society, technical and academic communities.
All of us are affected by the Internet one way or the other, hence the involvement of all
stakeholders in dialogue and cooperation is crucial in the development of Internet here in Vanuatu.
In regards to public policy issues relating to Internet, VanIGF acknowledges that while there is no negotiated outcome, VanIGF facilitates common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and
challenges that arise, and serves to inform and inspire those with policy-making powers,in public and private sectors, so that they make well informed decisions that will not only have a positive impact on the development of the internet, but also
promote a safe, open and transparent Internet here in Vanuatu.
The lack of decision-making power is not a weakness, but rather the strength of the Van IGF. With such strength,
VanIGF serves to identify issues that needed to be dealt with by the Internet community in Vanuatu and aids in shaping decisions that will be taken elsewhere.
Hence, after Van IGF identifies issues of concern among the Vanuatu Internet Communities, it puts those issues onto the domestic policy agenda for decision makers.
This in turn, informs the decision-makers, and aid in shaping the policy-making processes of other institutions and sectors.
VanIGF Mandates to hold forums is to:
• Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability and development of the Internet;
• Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting national public policies regarding the Internet and discuss issues that do not fall within the scope of any existing body;
• Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organizations and other institutions on matters under their purview;
• Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this regard make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific and technical communities;
• Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world;
• Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or future Internet governance mechanisms;
• Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies and the general public, and, where appropriate, make recommendations;
• Contribute to capacity building for Internet governance in the national level, drawing fully on local sources of knowledge and expertise;
• Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical Internet resources;
• Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the Internet, of particular concern to everyday users;
• Publish its proceedings.
