Liberia will this year join the rest of the world in hosting the local version of the Internet Governance Forum.
The Liberia IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that Liberia face.
The annual meeting provides delegates with an opportunity discuss, exchange information and share good practices in the technology sector with each other.
The local theme for this year is “Bridging the digital divide in Liberia” and the Liberia Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is hosted in line with the global UN IGF, Africa IGF and West Africa IGF as partner, it is an annual event to bring Liberians from the ICT sector in a multi-stakeholder groups as equals to discuss issues on public policy relating to Internet governance.
The IGF serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet. The Liberia IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors.
The forum is slated for Tuesday 21st December 2021 and will also be used to primarily highlight the gains the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication has made, key for this year’s event will be the National Cyber security Strategy for Liberia and also discuss efforts on how to improve Liberia’s current state of internet development. The keynote speaker for this year event will be the Minister of Post and Telecommunication, Copper Kruah Snr., and other key stakeholders from civil society, technical, business, media and youth to the discussion internet development issues in Liberia.
Speaking in an interview with Peterking Quaye, National Convener/Coordinator, he explains that the event will be used to discuss issues confronting Liberia in the internet sector challenges faced by Liberians in the area of internet development and successful implementation of internet development programs in Liberia.
“The discuss will be on issues stakeholders research has revealed Liberia is faced with currently when it comes to development of internet in Liberia” we will be a call on corporate Liberia to ensure the support for the development of internet in Liberia as this is key on the agenda,” he added .
Peterking also disclosed that a lot has been done by various stakeholders in the back to ensure that Liberia’s internet development progress is visible through internet quality, cost and accessibility by citizens whilst commending previous government efforts and current government achievement signing the 2019-2024 Liberia Information and Communication Policy , which will shape the technology sector development progress and also the Liberia National Cybersecurity Strategy.
The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise.
The Liberia IGF Multi-stakeholder Group representing (Ministry of Post and Telecommunication , Liberia Telecommunication Authority, LIBTELCO, The technical Community , Business , Security Sector and ISOC –Liberia Chapter and the National IGF Convener) ,On behalf of the planning committee and the MAG of Liberia.
The outcome of the Liberia IGF communiqué/report will be shared with institutions, government, agencies as well as policymakers in both the public and private sectors to shape the internet development issues in Liberia.
A special communiqué will be issues at the end of the event to share with policymakers at the level of the legislature and with the UN IGF as well as Africa and West Africa IGF forum.