Motion for a resolution - B8-0121/2015Motion for a resolution
B8-0121/2015

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum

4.2.2015 - (2015/2526(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Michel Reimon, Julia Reda on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Cornelia Ernst, Curzio Maltese on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0099/2015

Procedure : 2015/2526(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B8-0121/2015

B8‑0121/2015

European Parliament resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum

(2015/2526(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to its resolution of 23 June 2005 on the information society[1],

–       having regard to its resolution of 14 January 2008 on the second Internet Governance Forum[2],

–       having regard to the Declaration of Principles and the Plan of Action of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) adopted in Geneva on 12 December 2003,

–       having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘Towards a Global Partnership in the Information Society: Translating the Geneva Principles into Actions’ (COM(2004)0480),

–       having regard to the Tunis Commitment and Agenda for the Information Society, adopted on 18 November 2005,

–       having regard to the Commission communication following the WSIS in 2006 (COM(2006)0181),

–       having regard to its resolution of 15 June 2010 on Internet governance: the next steps,[3]

–       having regard to the NETmundial Multistakeholder Statement presented on 24 April 2014,

–       having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘Internet Policy and Governance - Europe’s role in shaping the future of Internet Governance’ (COM(2014)0072),

–       having regard to the joint statement by the EU delegation to the Internet Governance Forum held from 2 to 5 September 2014 in Istanbul,

–       having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas in our understanding the internet constitutes a public space that fosters democracy, cultural diversity, human rights, innovation and trade, and is a fundamental pillar of the Digital Single Market;

B.     whereas the purpose of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is to implement its mandate from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), to discuss a wide range of issues related to internet governance, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to the international community;

C.     whereas on 20 December 2014 the UN General Assembly decided to extend the mandate of the IGF for a further five years, and the discussion and decision on further renewing the mandate of the IGF will take place in 2015 at the UN General Assembly;

D.     whereas Parliament sent an ad hoc delegation to the WSIS in 2005 and has done so to every annual meeting of the IGF since then, playing a pivotal role regarding the promotion of European values and the interaction with civil society organisations and representatives of national parliaments present at those events, in cooperation with the Commission;

E.     whereas in April 2014 the ad hoc NETmundial-Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the future of Internet Governance elaborated a set of principles for internet governance and a roadmap for future development of the internet ecosystem; whereas, nevertheless, a more inclusive and predictable mechanism is needed for all stakeholders;

F.     whereas on 27 November 2014 the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) ministers approved the Council conclusions underlining the importance of a coordinated European position on internet governance;

1.      Considers that the European Union has the responsibility to support the IGF and to take inspiration from its exchanges, as this will offer a positive and concrete context for the shaping of the internet’s future;

2.      Stresses that Parliament should continue to participate with a substantial delegation, including representatives of all political groups, in the future IGF meetings so as to effectively contribute to formulating a coherent and comprehensive EU approach, together with the Member States and the Commission;

3.      Stresses that it is firmly committed to finding the best model of internet governance; calls on the Commission, the Member States and all relevant stakeholders to further strengthen internet governance by making actors and processes at national, regional and international level more inclusive, transparent and accountable;

4.      Calls on the EU institutions to contribute to increasing the participation of stakeholders and support an equal opportunity participation of all organisations;

5.      Calls on the EU institutions concerned to keep the IGF high on their agendas and to continue to financially support the IGF secretariat, contributing to the development of an efficient and independent organisation capable of exercising its mandate and contributing to the evolving model of internet governance;

6.      Calls on the UN General Assembly to renew the mandate of the IGF, strengthen its resources, and further develop the bottom-up model of internet governance so as to ensure inclusiveness, transparency and accountability;

7.      Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Member States and the national parliaments.