Madam President of the General Assembly,
Mr Under-Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I thank the Albanian and Kenyan Co-Facilitators for guiding us through the inclusive consultation process and bringing us to consensus - thank you. Germany wishes to add the following remarks in our national capacity.
We are here to reaffirm our commitment to the free, open, and interoperable global Internet. Its greatest strength is openness:
• connecting people across borders,
• enabling innovation,
• and expanding access to knowledge.
An open Internet underpins modern societies and is essential for prosperity and sustainable, human-centered development. Its strength comes from a decentralisation and cooperation among governments, civil society, business, academia, the technical community, and users. This is a global endeavour. Open Internet infrastructure is built and maintained by contributors worldwide – often on a voluntary basis.
Germany is committed to these open principles and supports the people behind the code. Our Sovereign Tech Agency maintains key open-source components that underpin security, stability, competitiveness and innovation. By strengthening essential elements of global digital infrastructure, we aim to improve security and resilience.
Germany values the WSIS resolution because it is clear: Internet governance is multi-stakeholder and rooted in international human rights law. The resolution reaffirms this global consensus. It also makes the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum permanent. The IGF is the United Nations’ central platform for shaping the digital future.
It is where the world comes together – nowhere else can we discuss such a range of issues so openly. The IGF continues to evolve. To increase its impact, it must communicate its value and contribution more clearly. Germany will contribute 1 million Euros to strengthen the IGF and its mission.
WSIS asks us to choose: a digital world shaped by a shared vision - or by none. Germany is clear: The internet is strongest when it is shared, shaped, and safeguarded by all. WSIS is the right framework. And the IGF is the right venue. I encourage all of us to be pragmatic and seek consensus. Let us choose cooperation – for economic prosperity. And for sustainable development.
Thank you.