Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group: see WSIS Contribution 83)
 

Having studied the Preliminary Report by the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) and having reviewed the proposals of the Group in section 5 therein concerning action to be taken, and also the recommendations in paras. a) and b) of section 5 concerning Internet governance mechanisms and related questions, the Arab Group presents its views as follows:

1. The Arab Group supports the Working Group’s proposal to establish an open ended forum for discussion and dialogue concerning all subjects related to Internet questions, with the participation of all stakeholders: Governments, public sector, and civil society. However, such a forum would not be enough to deal with all Internet related questions, especially public policies and supervision.
2. Regarding the proposals of the Working Group concerning global public policies and supervision, the Arab Group, after reviewing the four models presented, considers that the first model, i.e. that of establishing a world council on the Internet, would meet the minimum requirements to deal with the subject of public policies and supervision, and therefore is the best among the presented models.
3. As for institutional coordination, the Arab Group considers the recommendation presented by the Working Group to be ambiguous, and therefore the Arab Group reserves its right to revisit the subject when it has received further clarifications.
4. The Arab Group initially supports the recommendation by the WGIG concerning national and regional coordination, and would propose rewording of the present text to reflect respect for sovereignty of States and leaving the selection of mechanisms to States to decide what is suitable for their respective circumstances.
5. The Arab Group also supports the recommendations by the Working Group on questions related to the internet in general and considers that implementation of such recommendations is important.