Accessible, united, friendly int@rn@t for everyone

Let me ask a somewhat provocative question: how can we gain from organising the summit, aside from prestige?

We want to be perceived as a country and region actively participating in discussions concerning the digital world’s future. We also wish to show that such discussions can take place on equal terms between all stakeholders. The UN has always ensured that the agenda and all debates offer an equal playing field to five predefined groups: administration, business, academia, local governments, and non-governmental organisations. The intent is for all groups to have the same influence over the course of debates and methods of formulating conclusions. Ninety per cent of the programme is developed in collaboration with the UN within the framework of the so-called MAG (Multistakeholder Advisor Group) in which I also have the honour of serving as its deputy chairman this year. The host country is responsible for organising the so-called Day Zero and a number of cultural and integration events. This has largely been the general rule of organising UN IGF Summits, which is of particular importance to us in view of the fact that the Internet Governance Forum is growing stronger as a major event involving debates concerning digital areas of increasing strategic importance. Slowly but surely, meeting agendas have been drifting away from bespoke web governance debates (regardless of the suggestion behind the IGF name) and leaning towards internet regulation methods, the rights of internet users, potential new technology or service arrivals, and current cybersecurity challenges. Such discussions are closer to what we in Europe consider to be of key importance.

What about the global picture?

As half of all world citizens have no web access at all, the debate involves rather basic issues such as how to secure any kind of solution or hardware to provide internet access. The array of subjects spans multiple areas. We have planned around 300 panels, roundtable format events, and one-on-one meetings. We intend to showcase Poland as a place where such topics are discussed and decided, and guidelines and recommendations drafted. We are aspiring to submit an IGF Summit closing document currently referred to by its working title – the Katowice Protocol: a brief summary of key discussion topics, or those that trigger the most emotion.

The UN IGF is a place where anyone can speak out to influence the digital world’s future. We hope that tentative conclusions are ready by the time the summit closes. This is something we will be drafting and working on throughout the week as well. The UN drafts a report that is more statistical in nature, with considerable delay. It is usually available several months after the summit ends.

What will the Polish side present?

Well, over one hundred assorted applications have been filed for Day Zero – the Polish Day. Interest in events organised by Poles, Polish institutions, public authorities and business organisations is huge. The agenda includes panels organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy on subjects ranging from technological diplomacy and technology to cybersecurity. Some panels will be hosted by NASK (Research and Academic Computer Network), a leading Polish institute with a focus that includes cybersecurity. They are actually a Computer Emergency Response Team. The agenda includes a Polish Academy of Sciences panel, as well as corporate presentations by such entities as Exatel and the Kościuszko Institute, the latter an organiser of major CYBERSEC conferences. Multiple interesting and important events have been planned. Public administration representatives will most certainly present top-quality projects that are currently recommended worldwide and enjoying considerable interest.

Which projects are you referring to?

The OSE (Nationwide Educational Network), for example – 30,000 schools have been provided with a fast internet connection as part of a web access framework development effort. The mObywatel (mCitizen) application – while the market response was originally mixed, today it is used by approximately 6 million persons and has proven very reliable; the COVID certificate is its most recent functionality. The trusted profile – our digital world authorisation mark, one we have separated with considerable effort from the massive Government Gateway, and disseminated via electronic banking systems. Thirteen million citizens are using it today. These are just some of the services that have become a success, as has been the project to develop a single public administration gateway – the main www.gov.pl portal with well-organised public authority websites and logotypes. The process of adding new institutions continues. We will most certainly mention the free data flow proposal submitted by Poland and supported by a group of so-called digitally like-minded states. The proposal was tabled several years ago in Brussels during a meeting at the Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU, which later became a pivot for the EU’s leading Digital Single Market strategy. We are also planning to present regional cooperation in the field of digital tropes within the Three Seas and V4 joint formats, and other informal European formats we are part of, such as the D9+.

Are you expecting any specific decisions to be made during summit debates? What are you most interested in?

It would be excellent if we were able to reach conclusions and design key joint operational directions, in emulation of what usually happens in the wake of G-20 Digital Ministers’ Summits, for example. In 2017 in Düsseldorf, I had the pleasure of becoming the only Polish representative to be invited to a G-20 Digital Ministers’ Summit, which ended with a joint process of drafting and publishing follow-up declarations. In the course of the IGF in Katowice, a number of important subjects will certainly be discussed; from the domestic perspective, four are of particular importance. Firstly, continued access infrastructure development via cable, 5G mobile networks, or other solutions. The purpose is to secure fast digital access as a gateway that will determine subsequent technologies which are built upon it, such as 5G and related developments: autonomous transport or online access to complex or “heavy” medical files. Secondly, the design of new services by the business and administrative worlds alike. The inherent purpose is that of building trust in public administration structures by introducing new services, as has been the case with the online tax return package for years, or the relatively new e-prescription, which originally triggered multiple doubts and yet is used by practically everyone today. Thirdly, any and all digital competencies. The stronger our cyberworld presence, the higher our awareness and the better our practical knowledge must be in order to navigate safely, handle authorisation procedures and electronic signatures properly, and remain vigilant to potential hazards. Fourthly, broadly defined cybersecurity in every dimension imaginable; the more intensive our online activity, the more exposed we are to negative developments and assorted dangers – whether at the state or corporate level or when shopping online. User awareness is an indispensable component which needs to be firmly emphasised and addressed. We are also very much interested in close cooperation on political digital projects.

What do you mean specifically?

The Three Seas Initiative, mainly. As initiators of the format and a number of digital project-related discussions, Poland and Croatia have a shared vision for a Three Seas digital highway. Importantly, it needs to be filled with content, i.e. specific projects. Such projects are in the pipeline. Coordination mechanisms have been designed to allow short-term development. In addition, we will most certainly discuss brand-new solutions such as quantum technologies for quantum computers and communications alike. From my own perspective – that of someone basically representing the ICT business – I am particularly concerned with interpreting European discussions, guidelines and/or legislation in terms of what they can offer regular citizens or small and medium-sized companies as prevalent entities in Poland. They continue to be technologically underdeveloped, as regularly evidenced by the EU’s Digital Economy and Society Index. Funds and investments are enormously important in the corporate context as well – another topic on the agenda of the UN IGF 2021 in Katowice.

How can the business community benefit from the summit?

Firstly, it would benefit them to attend. I really want the largest number of people possible to listen to what is discussed globally. It is a unique opportunity. The IGF differs from other large events organised in Poland in that admission is entirely free of charge. You just have to register to attend. The number of registered participants has already demonstrated the enormous interest in the forum. Eighty per cent of the individuals intending to attend in person are foreign, hailing from all continents and various internet stakeholder groups. Interestingly enough, we have a large group arriving from African countries, possibly because Ethiopia is the organiser of the 2022 Digital Summit.

In what other ways will this forum differ from previous editions?

We suggested “Internet United” as the lead motive, because the pandemic has clearly shown that education, administration and business cannot operate without the World Wide Web. We proposed the aforementioned investment tropes and conversations with a focus on investment funds and assorted European programmes with the intent of showcasing potential sources of digital development funding, for small and medium-sized innovative companies in particular, in order to avoid an exclusive focus on large corporations who are frequently responsible for setting the scene for all players. We also suggested that a Summit of the Young be held; it is also important for young people to be aware of what is being discussed and what the challenges are, because they will shortly be taking over in terms of digitisation- and digital development-related activities. Looking at the extensive and attractive programme, I believe that everyone will be able to find something of particular interest to them.

Let me refer to the slogan you have already mentioned: “Internet United” – accessible, united, user-friendly internet for everyone. When will that happen?

One would be hard-pressed to answer this particular question precisely. Firstly, there are many challenges. Secondly, the task remains within the remit of all countries of the world – UN members – including those which restrict and censor internet access. For example, we have been discussing the role and responsibility of the largest platforms for years – browsers and social media moderating content with the use of algorithms that are far from transparent, and/or blocking posts or selected materials. Their presence and availability for complaints is essential. Consequently, there are multiple tropes and topics we wish to discuss and we will certainly be engaging in detailed discussion. Joint awareness of challenges is important as well. I am deeply convinced that the UN IGF Digital Summit in Katowice and conclusions developed over the course of the proceedings will largely influence the delivery of this year’s leitmotif: “Internet United”. ©℗

Interview by Marta Czerwińska