Context:

Recently, the Union Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY) inaugurated the 4^th edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) in New Delhi.

India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF):

The India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) is the Indian version of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).

IIGF is a multistakeholder platform aiming to bridge the digital divide, enhance trust and safety in the online environment, and leverage advanced technologies for nation-building while emphasizing the need for a secure, inclusive, and ethically governed Internet.

The 4^th edition is being conducted under the theme “Innovating Internet Governance for India.”

This edition is being held with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

• NIXI is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2003 for peering of internet service providers (ISPs) among themselves for the purpose of routing the domestic traffic within the country, instead of taking it all the way to the US/Abroad, thereby resulting in a better quality of service (reduced latency) and reduced bandwidth charges for ISPs by saving on International Bandwidth. 

The first successful edition of the Forum was held in 2021.

Key Highlights of IIGF 2024: 

• Empowering Connections: To emphasize enhanced access, inclusion, and digital rights to bridge the digital divide.
• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: To create balanced, growth-oriented policies that strengthen Internet governance. 
• Responsible AI: To promote the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence for societal benefit.
• Building a Greener and Sustainable Internet: For energy-efficient practices and environmental sustainability in the digital realm.