The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Permanent Mission of Lebanon in Geneva and the RIPE NCC have jointly hosted a session on the technical foundations of the internet, public policy and international cooperation.
The session, titled “How the Internet Works: Technical Coordination, Public Policy and Practical Cooperation,” was held as part of the ITU’s Demystifying Digital Series and brought together representatives from 35 diplomatic missions and delegations.
The event examined how the internet’s technical infrastructure is coordinated and how governments, international organisations and the technical community can work together to translate digital policy objectives into practical outcomes.
ITU Highlights Need for Multistakeholder Cooperation
Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU, opened the session alongside H.E. Caroline Ziadeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, and Hans Petter Holen, CEO of the RIPE NCC.
Lamanauskas highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, international organisations, industry and the technical community in strengthening digital resilience and expanding meaningful connectivity.
He also pointed to the multistakeholder model and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum as platforms for bringing together different areas of expertise to support inclusive digital development.
Lebanon Stresses Digital Infrastructure Resilience
Ambassador Caroline Ziadeh emphasised the importance of resilient connectivity and digital infrastructure, particularly in light of the challenges facing Lebanon.
She said reliable communications infrastructure is essential for economic and digital development, as well as for maintaining continuity during periods of disruption.
“Resilience must be understood in all its dimensions, including connectivity and digital infrastructure,” Ziadeh said, adding that strengthening resilience requires cooperation between governments, operators, the technical community and international partners.
She also highlighted Lebanon’s support for multistakeholder cooperation and closer coordination between technical expertise, public policy and diplomacy.
RIPE NCC Explains Internet's Technical Foundations
Hans Petter Holen stressed the importance of cooperation between the RIPE NCC, governments, regulators, the ITU and the broader internet community.
He explained that the internet relies on globally coordinated resources, open standards, interoperable networks and cooperation across national borders. He also encouraged policymakers and diplomats to involve technical experts at an early stage of policy discussions.
Hisham Ibrahim, Chief Community Officer at the RIPE NCC, provided an overview of the internet ecosystem and the role of the technical community.
The discussion distinguished between internet technical coordination, internet governance and broader digital governance, noting that although these areas increasingly intersect, they have different functions.
The session also examined the importance of open standards, globally unique identifiers, interoperability and trust in maintaining a single global internet.
Regional Internet Registries Play Key Role
Holen also outlined the role of Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) and the RIPE NCC in coordinating internet number resources.
The RIR system supports the registration and coordination of internet number resources, while the RIPE NCC works with network operators, governments, regulators and other stakeholders to support a stable, secure and resilient internet.
The final section of the session focused on translating international digital policy commitments into practical implementation.
Chafic Chaya, Regional Manager for Public Policy and Government Affairs at the RIPE NCC, discussed how cooperation with governments, regulators and international organisations can support institutional partnerships, operational capabilities and capacity building.
From Global Commitments to Practical Implementation
The discussion linked the implementation of digital policies with the WSIS+20 outcome, the Global Digital Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers stressed that international commitments provide policy direction, but their effectiveness depends on implementation through technical expertise, institutional cooperation, capacity building and measurable outcomes.
A central message of the session was that the technical community can help bridge the gap between international digital commitments and practical outcomes through open standards, trusted coordination, measurement and multistakeholder cooperation.
The event also highlighted the role of diplomats and policymakers in engaging technical experts early, strengthening national digital capabilities and connecting international policy processes with organisations responsible for implementation.
The session concluded with an emphasis on understanding how the internet operates, the respective responsibilities of different stakeholders and the role of cooperation in developing effective digital policy.
An open dialogue followed the session, allowing diplomats, ITU representatives and members of the technical community to discuss potential areas for further cooperation.
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