IGF – the most important meeting place for Internet Governance

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Excellencies, colleagues, dear delegates – friends of IGF,

As we come to the end of an incredible week here at IGF 2025 in Lillestrøm, let me first say — what a fantastic forum this has been!

Over the past days, we have witnessed high-level panels, deep-dive workshops, and lively discussions that covered everything from internet governance, cybersecurity, and infrastructure resilience to AI, digital inclusion, and the rights of children and youth online. The level of engagement and the quality of contributions have been truly impressive. I am particularly pleased to note the broad participation from the Global South!

We have had the privilege of welcoming voices from all sectors, all regions, and all generations — united by a common goal: Breaking down silos and Building Digital Governance Together! Only working together, can we ensure that the digital future remains open, safe, inclusive, and sustainable.

We politicians need to remind ourselves, continuously that there is no difference, really, between the digital world and the physical world when it comes to respect, inclusion and human rights. What we want for the physical world, we must also strive for in the digital world. We must make sure that everyone can attend, that the digital space is not fragmented, that it’s safe and that it’s secure.

As Norway’s Minister for International Cooperation, I will do my part in contributing to narrowing the digital divide between wealthy and poor countries, and between population groups in developing countries. In fighting inequalities, we must ensure digital inclusion. An important vehicle for our engagement remains investing in digital public goods, open data and digital public infrastructure that are digital public goods. Only by sharing open-source, safe, scalable and inclusive solutions, can we ensure efficient digital cooperation.

I thank the United Nations for entrusting Norway with the opportunity to host this important gathering. Let me extend my warmest gratitude to the IGF Secretariat and UNDESA for their tireless work and for the close collaboration with us as host country. It has been a true partnership.

Let me also express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated Norwegian team — across ministries, agencies and private sector who made this forum come together on record time.

Looking ahead, we wish you all the best as discussions continue towards WSIS+20. This is a pivotal year for global internet governance, and the reflections and outcomes from this week will no doubt shape the road to New York in December.

It is important that we all carry the energy and engagement from this forum forward into our work as WSIS+20 concludes.

And of course, as we close, let us not forget the future — our children and young people. The engagement of children and youth groups, like the Youth Coalition for Internet Governance, is among the many important voices of IGF.  Let us strive to give our children a digital heritage where we close the digital divide and create a future with safe digital services.

To everyone who have joined us this past week — in person and online — thank you.

Thanks to all who contributed to workshops, panels, in the village, the hallway conversations and dancing on Music Night!

And thanks to all who helped organize, support, and carry out this unforgettable week, including our invaluable partner Medvind Event Bureau!

On behalf of the Norwegian Government, I wish you all a safe travel back home and that you return to your homelands with good memories of IGF 2025, Norway, Oslo and Lillestrøm.

Let us continue working — together — for a better digital future for all!

Thank you