Lebanon (Enmaeya Features) - December 10, 2025
The Lebanese Internet Governance Forum (LIGF) gathered stakeholders from across Lebanon’s digital ecosystem on December 10 and 11 under the theme “Building a Future Together: Inclusive Digital Growth.”
Hosted by the American University of Beirut (AUB) at Beirut Digital District (BDD) and streamed online via Zoom, the forum brought together representatives from government, business, civil society, academia, and the technical community to discuss Lebanon’s path forward in digital governance.
Opening Remarks Highlight Collaboration and Innovation
The forum opened with a strong emphasis on cross-sector cooperation. Anja Gengo, Programme Management Officer at the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government, emphasized that “the digital future cannot be built alone; it requires cooperation across all sectors.”
She highlighted the effectiveness of the LIGF as a model for multi-stakeholder collaboration and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s digital governance initiatives.
Dr. Mark Ibrahim described the forum’s bottom-up approach, explaining that LIGF channels real challenges faced by citizens into high-level discussions and policy drafts. Looking ahead, he shared plans for collaboration with a Middle Eastern school focused on governance to engage students across sectors in digital policy development.
Dr. Yousef Asfour, iPark Executive Director, praised Lebanon’s youth, noting that “despite all the hardships the country is facing, we continue to see creativity and flexibility among our young people.” He expressed hope that the two-day forum would generate bold ideas and actionable recommendations.
His Excellency Kamal Shahadeh, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence, reflected on Lebanon’s historic leadership in digital governance, stating that “Lebanon has always been a regional leader in digital governance, and we need to restore that position and lead once again.”
He assured participants that the forum’s recommendations would inform both national and international discussions, with a Lebanese team soon traveling to New York to contribute to global digital governance dialogues.
Panel Session 1: AI at a Crossroads – Responsible Governance
The first panel, moderated by Dr. Imad Bou-Hamad of AUB, focused on artificial intelligence and the need for responsible governance. Minister Shahadeh highlighted Lebanon’s decade-long efforts on cybersecurity and the development of upcoming laws on data protection and privacy.
He stressed the importance of preparing safe and transparent datasets for AI applications. Ms. Wadad Wazen Gergy from USJ emphasized that “no part of the data should be a black box,” highlighting the importance of ethical assessments, transparency, and practical frameworks.
Panelists recommended establishing a roadmap for AI adoption, developing codes of ethics, promoting AI training across sectors, and updating existing laws to keep pace with technological developments.
Panel Session 2: Resilient Internet Infrastructure for a Digitally Ready Lebanon
The second panel addressed connectivity, capacity, trust, and collaboration. MP Paula Yacoubian noted the urgent need for political will, stating that “the internet is no longer a luxury; it is an essential part of our lives. Providing proper tools and internet access is crucial to retaining our youth in the country.”
Viviane El Zraibi, CEO of TeddyNet, shared her initiative in Quobayet, Lebanon, demonstrating the importance of building trusted networks that provide reliable internet access to all regions. She emphasized that inclusive connectivity is essential to prevent migration and ensure equitable access to opportunities.
Panel discussions also focused on cybersecurity and privacy concerns, including the risks of foreign access to private data through hacking. Experts stressed the need for comprehensive strategies to protect Lebanese citizens’ digital rights while fostering innovation.
Forum Outcomes and Future Prospects
LIGF reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement, innovative solutions, and practical approaches to strengthen Lebanon’s digital ecosystem. Participants highlighted the need for cooperation between the government, private sector, academia, and civil society to advance Lebanon’s digital governance and ensure that youth play a central role in shaping the country’s future.
As Minister Shahadeh concluded, “Cooperation and collaboration are essential. Lebanon can bring back the golden age, and we have all it takes to do so.”
Partners and Sponsors included AUB’s Office of Innovation & Transformation, OGERO, RIPE NCC, DXCTALKS, and Rethinking Lebanon, reflecting the forum’s commitment to inclusive collaboration and international engagement.
