IGF Berlin 2019 Main Session on:
Promoting Data Free Flow with Trust in a Digitally Connected World〜Osaka Track, Biarritz Strategy, and the Future~
1. Brief Overview
The world is facing a crucial point in time when the flow of data, ICT products and services are subject to scrutiny and international trade enabling the flows is also subject to intensive discussion. While international discussion on how to further facilitate the free flow of data and ICT-related free trade which are indispensable for SDGs-oriented digital innovation and economic growth in every country is ongoing, there are growing concerns about privacy, data protection, intellectual property rights, and security. With the complex background and also taking into account the legislative and enforcement jurisdictions of each state, this main session sheds light on the following questions:
1) What consensus can be achieved on the free flow of data, ICT products and services in a digitally connected world?
2) What is the role of international bodies such as WTO and others?
3) What are the applicable rules?
4) Are there any conflicts of laws (extraterritorial effects of state actions) and how to solve them?
5) What are the roles of bilateral or plurilateral trade agreements?
6) How to ensure the implementation of international rules and principles in each member state?
2. Purpose
The purpose of this main session is to facilitate a thoughtful dialogue on how to further promote the free flow of data across borders while addressing various challenges related to privacy, data protection, intellectual property rights, and security, with the concept of “trust”. This will be done taking into account the progress of digital transformation as well as recent geopolitical and trade tensions which have impacted the global economy.
3. Policy Questions to be Discussed
1) New laws and regulatory initiatives impacting data flows and trust are adapted at increasing speeds in jurisdictions around the world. New statistics and research show a lack of coordination between those actions. Do you think we need more coordination, and can such uncoordinated actions and the passing of new laws impact the future of cross-border data flows and trust even if not intended to do so? Will we reach a point of no return after which joint actions in favour of cross-border data flows and trust will be futile because of the compiled uncoordinated actions?
2) According to the Internet & Jurisdiction Global Status Report, only 14 of stakeholders (governments, companies, IGOs, civil society) say we have the right frameworks and standards in place to address cross-border legal challenges in cyberspace. How can we enhance legal interoperability to ensure cross-border data flows in the future? What norms and frameworks are needed?
3) What is the value of multi-stakeholder cooperation to ensure cross-border data flows and trust? Are we taking concrete actions quick enough for the future of the cross-border internet?
4. Agenda
1) Opening Remarks: MAG Member (5 min.)
2) Reports from this year’s G20 and G7 Chairs (Japan and France) (10 min. each]
3) Multi-stakeholder Discussion on the Reports (Government, International Organization, Private Sector, Academia, Tech Community, Civil Society) (60 min.)
4) Open Discussion with the Audience (20 min.)
5) Statement of Commitment from next year's G20 Chair (Saudi Arabia) (10 min.)
6) Wrap-up (5 min.)
5. Moderators
1) Moderator
-Mr. Paul Fehlinger, Deputy Executive Director, Secretariat of the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network
2) Online Moderator
-Ms. Afi Edoh, Network and System Engineer / Cofounder and CTO, E-hub and Afrotribune
6. Speakers
1) Opening Remarks (*Scene-setting)
-Mr. Kenta Mochizuki, IGF/MAG member, Public Policy Councillor/Attorney at Law (New York) , COO Office, Mercari, Inc.
2) Reports from this year’s G7 and G20 Chairs
-Mr. Yoichi Iida, Chair, G20 Digital Economy Task Force (DETF) / Deputy Director-General for G7 and G20 Relations, Global Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan [G20 Chair]
-Ms. Salwa Toko, Head of the French Digital Council (« Conseil national du numérique » in French), France [G7 Chair]
3) Multi-stakeholder Discussion
-Ms. Lidia Stepinska-Ustasiak, Deputy Director, Department of Foreign Affairs in the Office of Electronic Communications, Poland
-Ms. Lee Tuthill, Counsellor, Trade in Services and Investment Division, World Trade Organization (WTO)
-Mr. Tilmann Kupfer, Vice President, Trade & International Affairs at BT Group
-Ms. Rachael Stelly, Policy Counsel, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
-Ms. Luiza Brandão, lawyer, head of the Reference Institute on Internet and Society, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
-Mr. Sebastian Bellagamba, LAC Regional Bureau Director, ISOC
-Mr. William J. Drake, International Fellow and Lecturer, Institute of Mass Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich
4) Statements of Commitment from next year’s G20 Chair
-Mr. Esam Algawait, Chair of G20 Digital Economy Task Force, Saudi Arabia [G20 Chair]
