My speech as delivered at the program commemorating the Internet Governance Forum at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
THE
INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM
UNESCO HEADQUARTERS
PARIS, FRANCE
NOVEMBER 12, 2018
Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France;
Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations;
Madam Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO;
Excellencies;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let me use this opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to President Macron and UNESCO for the honor accorded me to attend this very important forum, and to share my perspectives on the critical issue of internet governance in this ever-progressing digital age.
Before I do so, however, I cannot help but remind you that this meeting is being held on the heels of the First Edition of the World Peace Forum here in Paris, which was convened by Your Excellency, President Macron, to observe the 100th Anniversary of the ending of World War One, and which brought together more than 75 world leaders to discuss the importance of peace and security to international stability and the growth and development of nations.
It is my strong conviction that, without peace, the world can never be stable. Peace is an essential element for global advancement, and provides a positive framework for international cooperation and the enhancement of global trade and commerce.
It is therefore incumbent upon all nations, if we are to establish a new world order where peace prevails, to seek to resolve conflicts through dialogue, negotiations, and mediation, rather than war. The time for war is over.
While military force can be used to counter a military threat, it cannot, on its own, resolve profound underlying political, social, economic and governance problems or create sustainable peace.
It is therefore important that the international community should give serious consideration to changing the paradigm for resolving differences and threats, by moving away from military action as a primary option, to conflict resolution by non-violent means.
It is only through our success as global and national peace-builders that we will be able to achieve social and economic justice, reconciliation among and between our respective countries and peoples, enhance our individual and collective security, and provide the conducive environment for sustainable development.
The internet can be a fulcrum to drive peace and security in the world. It has now become a platform which impacts every facet of our lives; social, political and economic. This global platform has propelled and accelerated innovation.
The internet has also bridged the communication gap, and has made our world a smaller and better place in many ways. It has enhanced development in the areas of technology, education, health and welfare.
Today, a farmer in a remote village can now use the internet to get price updates and better earnings from his produce. A nurse in a faraway community can get instructions and prescriptions from a doctor on the other side of the globe and can then be enabled to give propert treatment to patients. Teachers can use internet-based tools to improve learning outcomes. The valuable power of the internet cannot be over-emphasized.
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
While we extol the positive and progressive impact of the internet on our lives, we cannot and must not overlook the dark forces which are lurking. With its huge capabilities, the internet has a direct reach into our homes, placing every kind of information into our hands through the prevalence of various devices such as mobile phones.
However, this provides great opportunities for exploitation by criminal elements. These elements are using the internet to carry out various cyber crimes, including terrorism and financial crimes. The internet is also now being used to stoke hatred among our people and to spread dangerous false information which can lead to violence and the destruction of societal fabric.
It is therefore necessary that we put proper structures in place to ensure that this very strong instrument for the advancement of human development, is not transformed into an instrument of terror, hate, crime and destruction.
Civil society actors, international bodies, and technology companies must work together with governments in developing a governance structure which will ensure that the internet is used for the good of society, and not for its destruction.
At the same time, while attempting to eradicate criminal elements, such governance structures must not inhibit or stifle free speech and expression, or innovation and development, which is essential to global progress.
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
In closing, let me urge all participants at this 2018 World Internet Governace Forum, to deliberate in good faith, build upon the experience of IGF 2017, and derive solutions for the betterment of humanity.
May God bless you.
I thank you
