From its earliest days, the internet has involved academic researchers, government entities, private companies and networks of engaged individuals. Today’s internet is vastly different in scale, but the diversity of actors remains the same; it is a place where people from across the world can come together to collaborate in seizing the benefits of transformative information and communication capacities.

It is in this spirit of multi-stakeholder collaboration that the Internet Governance Forum emerged from the 2005 meeting of the United Nations World Summit of the Information Society. Supported by an intergovernmental body and overseen by an advisory group, the IGF provides a platform for rich discussion among private sector representatives, government ministers, technology leaders and civil society groups.

Internet governance must lead to policies that improve lives. We cannot leave our fate in the digital era to the invisible hand of the market force. At the same time, classical approaches to regulation do not easily apply to a new generation of technologies. Non-traditional, multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation will be crucial.

Policy-setting and cooperation among actors in the digital space have not kept pace with the impact and implications of new technologies. Digital advances touch the economy, human rights, national security and much else, yet discussions can often be siloed.

In June of this year, the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation that I convened put forward wide-ranging recommendations that point the way towards a shared digital future of safety and opportunity for all. One of the Panel’s recommendations calls for an enhanced IGF.

The thoughtful work contained in this book underscores the need for a holistic approach to internet governance, and for an effective and inclusive multilateralism that advances the well-being of all. I look forward to working with all partners towards securing a more prosperous and peaceful digital future.