The Shura Council participated in a two-day parliamentary meeting organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), on the topic of legislative approaches to a user-focused digital space, on the sidelines of the Internet Governance Forum 2021. The council was represented in the meeting, which was held via video conference, by member of the Shura Council Dr Ahmed bin Hamad al-Mohannadi.
Al-Mohannadi said during the session that the internet has become one of the necessities, and that it is shameful that half of the world's population does not have access to the internet, and to the development that the world is witnessing. He pointed to what the world has experienced during the past year from the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), noting the great role that technology has played in the continuity of life at the global level, and the continuity of business, education, communication and others.
He added that there was no doubt the internet has become essential with great benefits, but maintained that it also has downsides.
The Internet Governance Forum seeks to enhance its parliamentary dimension by facilitating the participation of parliamentarians in discussions on some pressing issues related to the use, evolution and governance of the Internet and related digital technologies, through the co-operation of national parliaments and the exchange of good practices on dealing with digital policy issues. (QNA)
He added that there was no doubt the internet has become essential with great benefits, but maintained that it also has downsides.
The Internet Governance Forum seeks to enhance its parliamentary dimension by facilitating the participation of parliamentarians in discussions on some pressing issues related to the use, evolution and governance of the Internet and related digital technologies, through the co-operation of national parliaments and the exchange of good practices on dealing with digital policy issues. (QNA)
