The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is now moving through its second year and two institutional issues have emerged in the open-ended consultations and in the discussions among stakeholders: how is the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that is supposed to provide advice on management of the IGF to be structured and how is stable, long-term financing of the IGF Secretariat to be arranged. Given the innovative status of the IGF, resolving these issues will set important precedents for similar initiatives, as well as for the long-term success of the IGF.

The attached paper suggests approaches to both, by showing how the MAG is consistent with past practice and its composition can be adapted. It argues that the funding for the IGF Secretariat should be built into the assessed budget of the United Nations in order to ensure continuity and permit medium-term planning.