Bangladesh positions itself as a swing state in the global internet governance debate, balancing elements of both the internet sovereignty and multi-stakeholder approaches. While traditionally aligned with the third block Non-Aligned Movement, which prioritizes state sovereignty and reducing US hegemony in global governance, Bangladesh has in recent years demonstrated a stronger commitment to a multi-stakeholder model through its participation in international forums as well as other regional organizations. Domestically, Bangladesh has further expanded participation in multi-stakeholder forums via the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) outreach, yet its absence from the Budapest Convention and Paris Call, along with restrictive cybersecurity laws, aligns it with the internet sovereignty model. While moving toward multi stakeholder governance, Bangladesh’s Non-Aligned Movement ties and domestic policies maintain elements of internet sovereignty, reinforcing its swing state position.
Bangladesh actively engages in key internet governance venues, including the UN Open ended Working Group (OEWG) on Cybersecurity, the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), the UN Cybercrime Treaty, and regional organizations. At the OEWG in 2019, Bangladesh aligned with Indonesia’s Non-Aligned Movement backed statement, emphasizing state sovereignty, non-interference, and the central role of governments in information and communication technology (ICT) security—principles reflecting an internet sovereignty approach (Gold, 2019; Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia, 2019). However, the statement also underscored cooperation with civil society, academia, and industry, incorporating multi-stakeholder elements (Non-Aligned Movement, 2020). Bangladesh itself has recognized the OEWG as an “important mechanism for intergovernmental and multi stakeholder consultations on the security of and in the use of ICT” and has emphasized cyberspace as a “global public good which should benefit everyone and which no single government should and can manage on its own” (Bangladesh Delegation, 2021). These statements highlight Bangladesh’s swing state stance, blending sovereignty elements of the Non-Aligned Movement with its own increased focus on stakeholder inclusion.
Bangladesh’s commitment to the multi-stakeholder model is further evident in its participation in international initiatives, forums and venues. Since 2006, it has hosted the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF)—its first national IGF initiative (Global Digital Compact, 2024)—in partnership with the UN IGF, bringing together government, civil society, corporate, and academic sectors (Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum, n.d.). Recent expansions, including Bangladesh Schools on Internet Governance, the Youth IGF, and the Women IGF, underscore its commitment to inclusive internet governance (Tawrit, 2023). Furthermore, in the Global Digital Compact put out for the 2024 BIGF, Bangladesh highlighted future measures for internet governance, including “enhancing cooperation and coordination among stakeholders,” echoing an increased commitment to a multi-stakeholder approach (Global Digital Compact, 2024).
Regionally, Bangladesh also participates in the Asia Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF) and serves on the forum’s Multi Stakeholder Steering Group, engaging a diverse set of stakeholders from civil society, academia, and the private sector (APrIGF.asia, n.d.). In addition to APrIGF, Bangladesh is involved in other regional internet governance and telecommunications bodies, including the South Asia Telecommunications Regulators Council under the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (SATRC, n.d.), as well as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Working Group on Communication Technology, which focuses on regional digital infrastructure and cybersecurity cooperation (SAARC, 2020). These engagements highlight Bangladesh’s recent and ongoing efforts to foster regional collaboration on internet governance, reinforcing its adherence to a more multi-stakeholder approach.
Additionally, Bangladesh is a member of ICANN, hosts an annual ICANN outreach program (ICANN Bangladesh, n.d.), has received Top Level Domain status (Global Digital Compact, 2024), and recently secured ICANN accreditation for the Bangladeshi tech firm Innovadeous (Daily Sun, 2018), further deepening its integration into the global multi-stakeholder model.
However, despite these efforts, Bangladesh maintains elements of an internet sovereignty approach, particularly in its domestic policies and selective international engagement. Bangladesh has not joined key multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime or the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace—nor have any Bangladeshi organizations signed onto the latter. While Bangladesh has enacted its own Cyber Security Act and Digital Security Act, these laws have been criticized by groups like Amnesty International for restricting free expression and enabling government control over digital communications (Amnesty International, 2024). Additionally, while Bangladesh participates in the OEWG, it was absent from the UN’s Governmental Group of Experts (GGE) on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security.
Sources
Amnesty International. (2024, August 8). Bangladesh: Interim Government must restore freedom of expression in Bangladesh and repeal Cyber Security Act. Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/08/bangladesh-interim-government-must-restore-freedom-of-expression-in-bangladesh-and-repeal-cyber-security-act/
APrIGF.asia. (n.d.). Multi-stakeholder Steering Group. APrIGF.asia. https://ap.rigf.asia/msg/
Bangladesh Delegation. (2021, December 13). Statement by Bangladesh delegation at the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025 [Paper presentation]. Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021-2025. https://documents.unoda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bangladeshs-statement-at-OEWG-on-security-of-ICT.pdf
Daily Sun. (2018, May 27). Bangladesh firm gets ICANN accreditation. Daily Sun. https://www.daily-sun.com/post/311805/Bangladeshi-firm-gets-ICANN-accreditation
Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia. (2019, September 9). Statement by Delegation of the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement [Paper presentation]. First Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security, New York City, New York, United States of America. https://statements.unmeetings.org/media2/21996964/indonesia.pdf
Global Digital Compact. (2024). Bangladesh Initiative for Connecting, Empowering & Amplifying Unified Voices on Global Digital Compact & Summit of the Future 2024. Global Digital Compact. https://www.un.org/digital-emerging-technologies/sites/www.un.org.techenvoy/files/GDC-submission_Bangladesh_NGOs_Network_for_Radio_and_Communication.pdf
Gold, J. (2019, September 30). The First Ever Global Meeting on Cyber Norms Holds Promise But Broader Challenges Remain. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/blog/first-global-meeting-cyber-norms
ICANN Bangladesh. (n.d.). ICANN Outreach Program Dhaka, Bangladesh. ICANN Outreach Bangladesh. https://www.icannoutreach.com.bd/
Non-Aligned Movement. (2020). NAM Working Paper for the Second Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (OEWG) [Paper presentation]. Second Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (OEWG). https://front.un-arm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/nam-wp-to-the-oewg-final.pdf
SAARC. (2020, July 12). Working Groups. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. https://www.saarc-sec.org/index.php/about-saarc/saarc-structure/working-groups
SATRC. (n.d.). What is SATRC?. South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council. https://satrc.apt.int/index.php/about-satrc/
Tawrit, M. (2023, May 24). Project Review Meeting of Joint IPv4/IPv6 Research Project [PowerPoint Slides]. BdREN. https://www.cgtf.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ISIF-Beijing-Final.pdf
