MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Internet Governance Forum in Georgia - GeoIGF 2022 was held for the eighth time in Georgia. The event was held in a hybrid format and was open to all interested participants. All sessions of the forum were broadcast live on the website www.igf.ge, where all other information about the forum was also provided.

The event was organized and supported by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the Communications Commission, the Internet Society of Georgia (ISOC Georgia) and the Council of Europe, with the coordination of the Association of Small and Medium Telecommunications Operators (TOA).

Guram Guramishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Eka Sefashvili, First Deputy Chair of the Sectoral Economy and Economic Policy Committee, Ekaterine Imadedze, a member of the Communications Commission, and David Frautschy, Senior Director of the Internet Society (ISOC), European Government and Regulatory Affairs participated in the event.

“One of the main priorities of the Georgian Government is the development of the digital economy and information society of Georgia. It is impossible to talk about the development of digital economy, modern technologies, artificial intelligence and similar innovations without a well-developed telecommunication infrastructure, which is the basis of the development of the digital economy. Reforms and programs implemented in the electronic communications sector in Georgia in recent years have significantly contributed to the development of the field and the growth of Internet use,” – Deputy Minister noted.

According to Guramishvili, GeoIGF has already gained international recognition as one of the important events in the direction of the development of Internet governance and for discussing important issues and projects in the direction of the development of electronic communications and information technologies in the country during the year.

“I am sure that the involvement of all parties, public and private sector, telecommunication companies, civil society, international organizations in this process is the way that ultimately serves the further development of the digital economy and information society in the country,” –  Guram Guramishvili said.

The forum included about 20 thematic sessions and speeches about main challenges and future opportunities in the Internet space of Georgia. Special attention was paid to cyber security, personal data protection, information openness, and other issues. Within the framework of the forum, the participants had the opportunity to meet international and local specialists in Internet management.

A special emphasis was placed on the establishment of a regional digital hub in Georgia, as well as issues related to the challenge of IP addresses and Internet exchange centres.

The Internet Governance Forum (GeoIGF) is an annual conference established in 2015 with the support of the Council of Europe. Nowadays, the forum unites over 30 members from different fields. The Forum is the most important multilateral platform for discussing current issues and projects in the direction of the development of electronic communications and information technologies in the country.

The Forum is supported by various international organizations: the Internet Society (ISOC), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Coordination Committee of the RIPE Network (RIPE NCC).