The Collaborative Nature of the Internet and Its Current Threats to Stability

In a landscape of growing global debates about the future governance of the Internet, two prestigious technical institutions, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Internet Society (ISOC), have jointly highlighted the importance of collaboration that has kept the Internet stable and operational for over two decades. Their recent report emphasizes the critical role that coordinated efforts across international borders and sectors have played in nurturing an open and effective Internet.

The report, titled "20 Years of the Internet Governance Forum: A Legacy," lays bare the impressive achievements made possible through the multilateral cooperation between governments, engineers, civil society, and businesses. This collective action has been essential for maintaining a unique, safe, and accessible Internet globally. As noted by Kurtis Lindqvist, CEO of ICANN, the unity of the Internet is not a mere coincidence but a result of focused efforts by various stakeholders across nations and professional realms.

Furthermore, Sally Wentworth, the President of ISOC, remarked that the effectiveness of multilateral governance, proven over twenty years, extends to areas where traditional governance structures fall short. However, she also cautions that these accomplishments depend on a sustained commitment to invest in the frameworks that have underpinned them.

Key Findings of the Report

Infrastructure Impact

One significant finding shows a substantial increase in Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), which have more than doubled in Africa in the last decade. This expansion has allowed for more efficient local Internet traffic exchange, which in turn has reduced latency, enhanced service quality, and helped cut operational costs for providers.

Global Reach

The report highlights that over 4.4 million domain names in non-Latin scripts have already been registered, vastly improving digital access for communities using Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, and other alphabets. This year, the Universal Acceptance Day was celebrated with over 50 international events promoting full linguistic functionality within the Internet ecosystem.

Large-Scale Internet Security

Currently, 93% of top-level domains are fortified by Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a protocol designed to thwart DNS-based cyberattacks by authenticating the legitimacy of data. Concurrently, more than 1,000 networks worldwide have adopted the Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS), an initiative focused on fostering responsible routing practices and mitigating systemic vulnerabilities.

Political Commitment

Around the globe, over 180 National and Regional Internet Governance Forums (NRI) are operational. Youth Internet Governance Forums are infusing new perspectives into national and international political dialogues, while the IGF's Parliamentary Pathway has significantly influenced legislative thought regarding digital trust, rights, and inclusion.

A Crucial Moment

This report comes at a pivotal moment before the review of the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), an event anticipated to shape the trajectory of global digital cooperation in the coming decade. In this milieu, both ICANN and ISOC urge for renewed focus on the institutions and frameworks that have sustained a unified, secure, and open Internet.

Rather than drawing abstract conclusions, the report adopts a practical approach, showcasing global examples to inform current discussions on what has worked in the past and what may be at risk if support for distributed and collaborative governance wanes.

For further details, download the complete report at ICANN's website.

About ICANN

Established in 1998 as a non-profit organization, ICANN aims to ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. They facilitate the coordination of unique identifiers across the globe to allow computers to connect effectively.

About the Internet Society

Founded in 1992 by internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization committed to ensuring the Internet remains a resource for everyone. The organization advocates for policies, standards, and protocols that support an open and secure Internet globally.