Riyadh, December 20th – Cuba had an outstanding participation in the XIX Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2024), which held from December 15th to 19th at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in the Saudi capital, under the overarching theme: "Building our multistakeholder digital future".
This event, organized annually by the United Nations, brings together world experts to discuss and organize international policies and trends in Internet governance in a collaborative way, involving governments, the private sector and non-profit organizations. In addition, it aims to discuss policy issues related to Internet governance, exchange experiences, information and best practices, and identify emerging digital challenges and solutions to improve international cooperation and raise awareness.
The IGF 2024 included different segments and the holding of several debate panels, conferences and high-tech exhibitions related to the network of networks. It was attended by a Cuban delegation made up of Aylin Febles Estrada, deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power and president of the Union of Computer Scientists of Cuba; Juan Alfonso Fernandez Gonzalez, senior specialist at the Ministry of Communications; and Vladimir Gonzalez Quesada, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
A specific parliamentary segment took place within the framework of the forum, where deputies dedicated to digital affairs and Internet policy issues engaged in a dialogue with the private sector, the tech community and civil society, including young people, about the challenges and possible solutions to create an inclusive, risk-free, ethical and sustainable digital space. Cuban deputy Aylin Febles was present.
On the closing day, senior specialist Juan Alfonso Fernandez was invited to speak on behalf of the Ministry of Communications, presenting Cuba's position on the mechanisms and processes of governance of the digital world and the need to give them a more inclusive character, to reduce the digital gap globally, contributing to build a prosperous and inclusive digital economy for all, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. (EmbaCuba Arabia Saudita)