HYBRID 31 JUL – 1 AUG 10:00 UTC – 3rd Small Island Developing States Internet Governance Forum

A graphic for the 3rd Small Island Developing States Internet Governance Forum. The design features a tropical beach scene with turquoise water, palm trees, and a steep green volcanic mountain on the right, evoking a small island setting. A large white angled panel overlays the left and center of the image, containing the event branding.Across the top are the logos of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Dynamic Coalition on Small Island Developing States in the Internet Economy (DC-SIDS), and the Halley Movement. Below them, the organizers are identified, followed by the word "present."The centerpiece displays the colorful forum logo alongside the title "3rd Small Island Developing States Internet Governance Forum." A teal banner near the bottom highlights the theme: "Navigating the Digital Tide: Resilience, Security and Innovation in SIDS." The footer lists the event dates, 31 July and 1 August 2026, and the location, Mauritius. The overall color palette combines white, teal, blue, and the vibrant greens of the tropical landscape, conveying a professional yet island-focused identity.
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On Friday – Saturday, 31 July – 1 August 2026, 14:00 MUT (10:00 UTC) each day, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Secretariat and the Dynamic Coalition of SIDS in the Internet Economy (DC-SIDS), together with national and regional IGF coordinators across the Caribbean, Pacific and Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) regions, host the 3rd Small Island Developing States Internet Governance Forum (SIDS IGF) in Mauritius, under the theme ‘Navigating the Digital Tide: Resilience, Security, and Innovation in SIDS‘. The forum is held in partnership with the Halley Movement Coalition, which simultaneously hosts the collocated Mauritian and Indian Ocean IGF.

Building on the 2nd SIDS IGF, the 3rd SIDS IGF undertakes a comprehensive stocktaking exercise to assess achievements, challenges and emerging priorities across the SIDS Internet governance landscape. A central thematic priority is strengthening cyber resilience, alongside emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced data analytics – the digital implications of climate change, and digital sustainability. Proposed as the first in-person IGF for the Indian Ocean region, it is designed to bridge the three recognised SIDS groupings: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and AIMS.

DAY 1 – Friday, 31 July 2026

10:00 UTC SIDS IGF High Level Opening Remarks
Representative – Mauritius Government
Mahendra Busgopaul – Halley Movement, Mauritius
Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU

10:10 UTC Fireside Chat: Why the IGF matters for SIDS
Olaf Kolkman – Executive Advisor and Spokesperson, Internet Society
Jennifer Chung – Chair, IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group; Vice President, Policy, DotAsia Organisation
MODERATOR
Maureen Hilyard

10:30 UTC The Digital Leap: Transforming SIDS through Secure, Resilient, and Smart Technologies
Tracy Hackshaw – Senior Digital Economy Strategist, Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Arthur Cardinal – AFRINIC
Russell Woruba – Deputy Secretary for Digital Government Coordination and Delivery, Government of Papua New Guinea
MODERATOR
Nigel Cassimire – Deputy Secretary-General, CTU

11:30 UTC Forging a Resilient and Trusted Internet for SIDS
Cherie Lagakali – Founder, Kairos Kapacity NZ
Shernon Osepa – CTU
MODERATOR
Tracy Hackshaw – UPU

12:30 UTC Wrap Up of Day 1

DAY 2 – Saturday, 1 August 2026

10:00 UTC Recap of Day 1
Tracy Hackshaw – UPU

10:15 UTC From Climate Frontlines to Cyber Frontiers
Dr. Arlene Laing – Coordinating Director, Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO)
MODERATOR
Pua Hunter – Cook Islands

11:00 UTC Charting Our Own Course: Digital Governance, Security, and Innovation in Small Island States
Ian Tairea – Educator/Technologist, Cook Islands Internet Action Group (CIIAG)
Shail Jhugroo – Youth Representative, Mauritius
Nigel Cassimire – CTU
MODERATOR
Maureen Hilyard – Cook Islands

12:00 UTC Mauritius IGF Closing Remarks & Call to Action / Closing DC-SIDS IGF

13:00 UTC End of SIDS IGF 2026

#SIDSIGF2026 #SIDS #IGF #InternetGovernance

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