Meeting Report

Photograph of attendees and speakers at the roundtable

The RIPE NCC hosted a Roundtable Meeting for the South East Europe (SEE) region at Hotel Crystal, Belgrade, to enhance coordination among public sector representatives, regulatory bodies and the RIPE NCC. The hybrid event facilitated discussions under the Chatham House Rule, allowing for an open and constructive exchange of ideas on key Internet governance and policy issues. Governments and regulators from Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Serbia attended, alongside other invited speakers and experts.

Opening and Key Discussions

The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from Desiree Miloshevic, RIPE Cooperation Working Group Chair, and Hisham Ibrahim, RIPE NCC Chief Community Officer (joining remotely). They underscored the importance of multistakeholder cooperation, particularly in light of the ongoing global discussions on Internet governance.

WTSA-24 Outcomes and IPv6 Deployment

A key discussion centred around the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), which took place in October 2024 in New Delhi. The session examined Resolution 64 on promoting IPv6 deployment. Speakers, including Mihail Ion of ANCOM, Romania, Marco Hogewoning of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Netherlands, and Cristiana Flutur of ANCOM, analysed its implications for the SEE region and the broader global Internet ecosystem.

Global Digital Compact (GDC) Implementation

The meeting also addressed the next steps in the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Mark Carvell of EuroDIG and Anriette Esterhuysen of the Association for Progressive Communication provided insights into the expected timeline and modalities for cooperation among stakeholders.

WSIS+20 Review Process

Participants engaged in a discussion on the WSIS+20 review process, focusing on stakeholder involvement and ITU Council Resolution 1332. Speakers included Peter Major of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Nebojsa Regoje of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Vladimir Stankovic of the International Telecommunications Union.

Policy and Regulatory Updates

Following a coffee break, the session on the World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF-26) outlined the significance of the upcoming forum in shaping policy discussions ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2026. Zdravko Jukić of HAKOM, Croatia, provided insights into the role of ITU members in shaping policy dialogues.

The RIPE NCC Policy Update was delivered by Romain Bosc and Alena Muravska of the RIPE NCC, highlighting recent developments at the European and global levels in Internet governance.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion, allowing participants to share feedback and discuss future priorities. The RIPE NCC announced that the next SEE Roundtable will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 7 April 2025.

RIPE NCC Roundtable Meetings continue to provide a crucial platform for public sector representatives and Internet technical experts to engage in meaningful discussions, fostering cooperation and strengthening regional and global Internet governance efforts.