Session
Description:
The rapid expansion of advanced digital technologies in general, and Artificial Intelligence in particular, is creating new opportunities for participation in global economic, but simultaneously introduces new internet governance challenges. Developing and emerging economies face increasing complexities and systemic risks, particularly regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities, fragmented data governance, and a lack of national and cross-border interoperability. Addressing these critical governance gaps requires a coherent, scalable and sustainable intervention. International standards provide established frameworks and internationally recognised good practice needed to ensure that this transformation is secure, resilient and inclusive. This interactive workshop explores how international standards serve as a practical bridge between global digital and AI governance principles and local regulatory frameworks. Drawing on the “Standards-led Digitalization Toolkit” that has been implemented across six key geographies (Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam) through a strategic partnership between the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British Standards Institution (BSI), under the FCDO’s Digital Access Programme, the session moves beyond theoretical debate into practical experience-sharing. Participants will hear directly from practitioners in emerging economies who are using standards to build digital trust. The session will also leverage insights from the newly launched guide, “Enabling Digital Transformation through Standards,” providing attendees with an actionable framework to scale secure and inclusive digital transformation.
The rapid expansion of advanced digital technologies in general, and Artificial Intelligence in particular, is creating new opportunities for participation in global economic, but simultaneously introduces new internet governance challenges. Developing and emerging economies face increasing complexities and systemic risks, particularly regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities, fragmented data governance, and a lack of national and cross-border interoperability. Addressing these critical governance gaps requires a coherent, scalable and sustainable intervention. International standards provide established frameworks and internationally recognised good practice needed to ensure that this transformation is secure, resilient and inclusive. This interactive workshop explores how international standards serve as a practical bridge between global digital and AI governance principles and local regulatory frameworks. Drawing on the “Standards-led Digitalization Toolkit” that has been implemented across six key geographies (Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam) through a strategic partnership between the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British Standards Institution (BSI), under the FCDO’s Digital Access Programme, the session moves beyond theoretical debate into practical experience-sharing. Participants will hear directly from practitioners in emerging economies who are using standards to build digital trust. The session will also leverage insights from the newly launched guide, “Enabling Digital Transformation through Standards,” providing attendees with an actionable framework to scale secure and inclusive digital transformation.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can emerging economies foster technological innovation with the appropriate digital and AI governance strategies to build public trust?
B. How can international standards help to overcome the widening global “Digital divide” and build the necessary capability for meaningful participation in an AI-driven digital economy?
C. How can policymakers utilise international standards as agile, risk-based tools alongside regulations to mitigate systemic cyber and operational risks across critical sectors?
Expected Outcomes
The session will build consensus on the importance of international standards (including ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System and ISO/IEC 42001 AI Management System) as agile, risk-based tools to complement technical regulations. This will strengthen alignment between consensus-based global best practices and domestic regulations, empowering governments to enhance national digital environments, embed standards within digital strategies, and improve awareness of their role in managing risk and enabling innovation.
Specific Outputs:
A. Promotion of newly launched Joint FCDO-BSI publication “Enabling Digital Transformation through Standards”
B. Strategic insights and debates captured during this workshop will directly feed into upcoming capacity-building activities, including the curriculum of AI governance workshops for public and private sector leaders in Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A 60-minute roundtable format is deliberately chosen to keep the session lively, practical, and focused. The shorter timeframe prevents people from tuning out and ensures we skip the theory to get straight to problem-solving. The roundtable setup is important as it removes the barrier for discussion at the end of the session and allows all participants to talk as equals for constructive discussion.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A 60-minute roundtable format is deliberately chosen to keep the session lively, practical, and focused. The shorter timeframe prevents people from tuning out and ensures we skip the theory to get straight to problem-solving. The roundtable setup is important as it removes the barrier for discussion at the end of the session and allows all participants to talk as equals for constructive discussion.
Hybrid Format: A. Drawing on our extensive experience managing major international hybrid events, including the WSIS 2026 Forum, we will have a dedicated online co-moderator will monitor virtual hand-raises and chat, working directly with the room moderator to ensure equal airtime and seamless dialogue between remote and on-site participants.
B. Building on proven best practices from delivering global hybrid sessions, the session is designed around active discussion rather than static presentations. We will ensure clear audio-visual integration, shared access to digital materials, and mirrored interactive exercises so online attendees receive the exact same quality of experience as those in the room.
C. We will use engagement tools such as live polling and/or Mentimeter that integrate with the official IGF event software. Tested and refined in previous international events, this simple approach avoids the risk of technical hiccups while maximising real-time audience participation.
Organizer 1: Nahyun Kim, British Standards Institution
Speaker 1: Alessandra Lustrati, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: charles wesonga Juma, Government, African Group
Speaker 3: Jennifer Bisset, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Nigel Croft, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 5: Nahyun Kim, Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: charles wesonga Juma, Government, African Group
Speaker 3: Jennifer Bisset, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 4: Nigel Croft, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 5: Nahyun Kim, Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization
Moderator
Nigel Croft, Technical Community, African Group
Online Moderator
Nahyun Kim, Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization
Rapporteur
Jennifer Bisset, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
What will participants gain from attending this session?
