On 23 and 24 April, the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance took place in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Commissioner Kroes represented the European Commission. The Meeting produced a 12-page framework declaration on the future steps to be taken in the field of global internet governance. As Commissioner Kroes has stated, internet has become a global resource which is in need of global governance. Also, global discussions are not easy, but are important for the fostering of the open internet. The Commissionnow pledges to push all stakeholders to pursue the steps envisaged in the declaration. The key principles a reform of internet governance should be based on, according to Commissioner Kroes, must underpin human rights, ensure transparent structures and must be global to include all communities. President of Brazil Dilma Rouseff initially called also for a strong condemnation of US actions in internet surveillance. However, the final declaration only states that right to privacy is to be ensured and “arbitrary” surveillance actions by governments should not happen.

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