Global digital cooperation in focus as 20th Internet Governance Forum concludes in Norway

The 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) concluded last week in Lillestrøm, Norway, celebrating two decades of advancing open, inclusive, and secure digital development. Hosted by the Government of Norway in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), this milestone gathering brought together more than 9,000 participants onsite and online from across the globe, including policymakers, civil society leaders, academics, youth, and the private sector.

In his opening remarks earlier in the week, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reflected on the significance of the occasion, noting: “Two decades ago, digital cooperation was a bold aspiration. Today, it is an absolute necessity – and a shared responsibility.” He also highlighted the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, which recognized the Internet Governance Forum as the primary multistakeholder platform for digital governance issues.

This year’s IGF welcomed high-level participation from governments, especially from Africa and the Global South, alongside representatives from leading technology companies including Meta, OpenAI, and TikTok. Actor and producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt also took part, engaging in discussions that explored the creative and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence. Through its inclusive multistakeholder format, the IGF provided a trusted platform for open dialogue and cooperation on the world’s most pressing digital issues.

In his closing statement, Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasized that as we look toward the General Assembly’s review of the IGF mandate this December, “We have a critical opportunity to reaffirm and re-energize the IGF’s role as the global home for inclusive dialogue and digital policies.” He further underscored that “ensuring safe and secure deployment of digital technologies is a shared responsibility—and a critical priority—for the global multistakeholder community. We must deliver it.”

Held under the overarching theme “Building Digital Governance Together,” the Forum featured more than 260 sessions over five days. Discussions covered critical areas such as data governance, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, universal connectivity, digital rights, and the future of global digital cooperation.

Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance of Norway, remarked in her closing statement, “We are proud that this year’s Internet Governance Forum, hosted in Norway, has laid a strong foundation for the forthcoming WSIS+20 process. A continued, permanent, and strengthened IGF mandate will be vital in shaping the future of global digital governance. I extend my sincere gratitude to all stakeholders who engaged in vibrant, thoughtful discussions here in Norway, and who played a key role in the success of IGF 2025.”

A key outcome of the Forum was the Lillestrøm IGF Messages, which reflect shared priorities and recommendations from IGF participants. These Messages offer actionable guidance for policymakers, focusing on digital governance, human rights online, the opportunities and risks of digital innovation, and the role of digital technologies in advancing peace, sustainability, and development.

Throughout the week, participants underscored the urgent need to address rising challenges in the digital landscape. Concerns were raised about the erosion of digital trust, driven by the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malicious content. The emergence of generative AI has made it easier to produce convincing yet false content, exacerbating the risks—particularly for young people who increasingly rely on digital platforms for information and interaction.