Authorized Authorized

296 WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2016
Map 6.1 A divided world: Country positions on the International Telecommunication Regulations
Countries that approved the draft
Countries that maintained
reservations against the draft
Not applicable
Source: International Telecommunication Union. Data at http://bit.do/WDR2016-Map6_1.
IBRD 41790
Protecting the interests of users is
paramount
This inability of internet stakeholders to reach a
consensus on future governance mechanisms could
be costly. The lingering uncertainty is likely to affect
the private sector’s long-term investment planning.
Delay in agreeing on new protocols and standards
could slow the pace of innovation. Some have even
suggested that the internet is at risk of being split, so
that the world ends up with several local internets—
Google CEO Eric Schmidt calls it the splitnet—destroying
the essential global character of the internet.
The new governance structure of the internet
needs to accurately reflect the plurality and the multifarious
nature of internet actors and be flexible
enough to accommodate its rapid and continuous
evolution. 15 The MSM model is evolving, and that
is one of its great strengths. However, care should
be taken to ensure respect for principles of good
governance (including transparency, accountability,
inclusiveness, and representativeness); safeguard
meaningful dialogue among stakeholders; empower
stakeholders to participate effectively across groups;
and prevent capture by special interests. 16 According to
one recent survey in 24 countries, the MSM is also the
preferred governance model of end users (figure 6.2).
It is therefore likely that a multistakeholder format—
one that addresses the concerns over the digital divide
and trust and use of the internet; provides meaningful
forums for “left out” stakeholders; and balances universal
community acceptance with appropriate local
flexibility—could be the accepted way forward.