Challenges and Prospects of Opportunities for Internet Governance in the Arab Region

Abstract

Internet governance issues do not always mean the same thing for different stackholders. This paper studies the development of issues discussed at the global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and at the Arab IGF. The lack of participation among Arab countries in the forum, is affecting the progress of the debate at the regional level thus hindering the progress of the Internet in this important region. To identify the reasons for this reluctance of participation is to help in a more active involvement in the future of the Internet. The paper describes and identifies six major challenges and identifies seven important opportunities for Arab countries that would help in a more active role in dictating the future directions of the Internet in the wake of the 4th industrial revolution.