Official: Ethiopia to Host UN Digital Summit Next Year

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia will host the 17th edition of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) next year, said Ministry of Innovation and Technology.

The announcement was made official at the end of the 2021 IGF held in Katowice, Poland, from 6-10 December under the overarching theme: ‎‎”Internet United”.

Ethiopia’s State Minister for Innovation and Technology Huria Ali, who attended the Forum, assured her government’s commitment for a “successful and truly African” Internet Governance Forum.

The 16th IGF hybrid event brought together more than 10, 300 innovators, big tech executives, young people, ministers and parliamentarians from 175 countries online and inperson to spur efforts to build an open, secure and free digital future for all.

Ensuring the protection of human rights and social and economic inclusion in the digital age was front and centre at the five-day discussions.

The Forum concluded on December 10 with a call to urgently connect the 2.9 billion people who still cannot access the Internet and to make the global network an open, free and safe space where everyone’s human rights and basic freedoms are respected.