Wuzhen Initiative

Background

The initiative was proposed on The 2nd World Internet Conference (WIC for short, or Wuzhen Summit). The conference was held at Wuzhen, China, from December 16 to 18, 2015. Wuzhen summit 2016 gathered more than 2000 representatives from over 120 countries and regions and over 20 international organizations. On the Conference a high-level advisory council (HAC for short) for the WIC's organizing committee secretariat was established. And pursuant to discussions at the High-Level Advisory Council, the WIC Organizing Committee proposes the Wuzhen Initiative.

Initiative

Imperative to promote Internet deployment and development.

Speed up Internet infrastructure construction; promote innovation and collaboration in Internet technologies. Bolster the use of the Internet technology across the world, especially in developing countries and less-developed regions.

Fostering cultural diversity in the cyberspace.

Preserve civilization's cultural legacy by digitalized means, encourage cultural exchanges in the cyberspace, and nurture the cultural diversity.

Sharing the fruits of the Internet development.

A digital economy, promote deeper convergence between the Internet and other industries, facilitate and protect free and orderly data flow, accelerate the rise of a globally connected digital market, and create more employment opportunities.

Ensuring peace and security in cyberspace.

Respect for nation's sovereignty in cyberspace, and protect the critical  information infrastructure from threats, interference, attacks and destructions, safeguard privacy and intellectual property rights, and undertake collective efforts to combat cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism in joint efforts.

Improving the global Internet governance.

The international community should cooperate in making cyber-related norms and regulations. The community should protect and respect basic rights to establish a peaceful, secure, open and cooperative cyberspace as well as a global Internet governance system.

Influence

A Milestone in Global Internet Governance

The Second Wuzhen Summit closed with the release of the Wuzhen Initiative, which can be regarded as a milestone calling on all countries to promote Internet development, foster cultural diversity in cyber space, share the fruits of Internet development, ensure peace and security in cyber space, and improve global Internet governance. The initiative was released with the conference.

Wuzhen Initiative has reflected each stakeholder's hope and responsibility to promote the construcction of cyberspace and the innovation of management, technology and system of development and governance, as well as their confidence and determination to enhance the interconnected cyberspace shared and governed by all the intenational society. No doubt it is a remarkable acheivement in global Internet governance.

Adequate Consideration on Humanity and Mankind

Besides, Wuzhen Initiative is also highly praised for its thoughtful and adequate consideration on humanity. It includes one time of "people" and seven times of "mankind" in the text, and specifically mentions the Internet needs and online protection of teenagers. The ultimate goal of the Initiative is to build a common spiritual homeland for all people on this planet.

International Comments

Fadi Chehadé, the president of ICANN, thinks the Wuzhen Initiative is a good step in stimulating technological innovation and new approches to innovate and govern the Internet.