The CVISNET team is among the Philippine delegates who attended the 18th Annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto, Japan last October 8-12, 2023. IGF has become a global platform that brings together stakeholders from various sectors to converse about concerning issues on the governance and future of the internet. This 2023, there were more than eight thousand registrants from across the globe who participated the conference.

Throughout the forum, there were 80 sessions delivered that were being engaged in lively discussions aligning to the theme "The Internet We Want - Empowering All People" which set the stage for significant thought-provoking conversations on the following topics:

AI & Emerging Technologies
Avoiding Internet Fragmentation
Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety
Data Governance & Trust
Digital Divides & Inclusion
Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
Human Rights & Freedoms
Sustainability & Environment

CVISNET, along with ATR Japan, Wisflux, Educating Nepal, and Global Plan Japan, secured one session among the 80 and were given the opportunity to expound the topic "Bridging Connectivity Gaps and Harnessing e-Resilience".

The discussions in the sessions centered around digital inclusion, privacy and security, digital literacy, and the importance of multistakeholder collaboration. By fostering a global dialogue, the IGF plays a vital role in shaping the policies and practices that will enable a more inclusive, accessible, and empowering internet for all.

May the learnings and experiences of IGF 2023 lead to more collaborations and project implementations that will serve the disadvantaged and marginalized sectors and communities worldwide, as we look forward to the next IGF 2024 that will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Arigatou gozaimasu Japan, our IGF memories with you will forever live on!