Internet governance is one of the most pressing global public policy issues of our time. Some estimates put the economic contribution of the Internet as high as 4.2 trillion dollars in 2016. The Internet of things could result in upwards of 11.1 trillion dollars in economic growth and effciency gains by 2025. And, the Internet is more than simply a system of wealth generation; it also acts as a platform for innovation, free expression, culture and access to ideas. Yet across multiple levels, the Internet’s basic functionality and the rights of users are under strain.
The Global Commission on Internet Governance (GCIG) was launched in January 2014 by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and Chatham House in response to trends toward fragmentation of the Internet, with the aim of offering guidance on how to address new challenges as they emerge. APC's Anriette Esterhuysen is a member of the Commission.