Global internet governance: promoting efficient, stable and inclusive structures The internet is a complex piece of global infrastructure. No single entity controls the internet. Moreover, there are no internationally binding agreements that regulate how countries should respond to specific challenges arising in the context of internet development. However, both the global organisations that control key internet resources and relevant authorities are showing increasing interest in the development and adoption of principles for good resource management and administration. Both private bodies and authorities are involved in these vital efforts to prevent the internet from becoming fragmented and losing its global nature. Robust resource management and principles for internet administration and development – internet governance – are thus growing in importance. Confidence that services delivered via the internet are stable and secure is a fundamental prerequisite for continued internet and service expansion. In order to promote robust global governance of the internet that fosters effective, stable and inclusive structures, the Government will: • Help ensure that the internet remains an open, accessible and robust platform for growth and social and cultural development. Norway will work with other countries to promote a global internet policy that encourages innovation and the development of content, applications and services. Norway will engage actively in international arenas serving this aim. • Promote the principle of role clarification. In collaboration with other countries and the business sector, Norway will promote the principle that businesses should generally bear operational responsibility for internet operation and maintenance, while administration should fall to the so-called “multi-stakeholder community”, which includes not only the authorities but also businesses, civil society and academic institutions. • Promote robust management. Norway will in cooperation with other states seek to refine the multistakeholder model and emphasise and promote good management principles such as openness, responsibility, transparency, representativeness and impartiality among the organisations that control fundamental internet resources. • Avoid unnecessary governmental intervention. Norway will work with other countries to avoid official regulation of the internet that hinders development, innovation and communication, or that facilitates censure and the dissemination of propaganda. • Promote openness and freedom. In collaboration with other states, Norway will seek to ensure that the internet remains an open and freely accessible arena in which all individuals can disseminate and receive information, and in which fundamental human rights are protected. Breaches of universal rights can never be justified by national or global internet governance objectives. 10