auIGF 2025 program

 The Internet is a powerful global resource and to realise the opportunities it presents will always require broad collaboration and cooperation among diverse stakeholders. The Internet also poses challenges that we can only manage by working together. Internet governance and digital governance are the terms we use to describe how we collaborate to shape the Internet’s future and its impact on our societies. The global vision of an Internet that is a force for good requires both global, regional and local action. This year’s auIGF will explore the local impact of these global challenges and opportunities, and consider what Australia can do to build a better Internet for everyone.  

 In 2025, the future of internet governance is once more on the table. The main question under consideration globally is whether the open, collaborative "multistakeholder" model will continue or whether it will be replaced by a model that gives governments more control. The upcoming 20-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) may provide some answers. What can Australia do to improve and strengthen internet governance? How can we ensure that the outcomes of these global processes support the evolution of an Internet that benefits Australia. 

Trust is essential for a thriving internet. We need to be able to trust the internet's underlying technology, its services, and its governance, if we are to unlock its full potential. Recent challenges have highlighted the fragility of this trust. Australia has an important role in sustaining digital trust and resilience by promoting online safety, cybersecurity, and responsible data practices. How can we address these important issues and make sure the internet is a force for good for all Australians? 

 Everyone should be able to benefit from the internet, and the opportunities the digital world offers. This means having physical and reliable access to the internet, as well as the skills and knowledge to use it safely and effectively. This subtheme will explore what Australia can do to achieve sustainable digital inclusion for all Australians and our regional neighbours, so everyone can participate in the digital world.