Governance and the MSG

• Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) – the apex governing body of yIGF South Asia, composed of representatives from all recognised stakeholder groups, responsible for the overall direction and governance of the forum.
• yIGF South Asia Cycle – the period between successive annual yIGF South Asia events, equalling approximately one calendar year.
• Voting Member – an MSG member who meets the eligibility criteria to vote in formal decisions.
• Advisory Council – a group of internet governance practitioners, regional experts, and well-wishers who provide strategic guidance and mentorship to the MSG.
• Equal Basis – a principle whereby each stakeholder group is accorded equal respect and standing; no stakeholder is hierarchically superior to another. Equal basis does not mean equal representation in absolute numbers.
• Internet Governance – interpreted in accordance with the definition established by the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) and the Tunis Agenda.
• South Asia – the geographic region comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

• The MSG exercises final authority on all operational and policy matters on behalf of yIGF South Asia, in an open, transparent, and accountable manner.
• Membership of the MSG is open, transparent, and determined solely by voluntary participation in the designated public MSG mailing list.
• The MSG operates in accordance with the principles of Openness, Transparency, Inclusion, Bottom-Up Process, Multi-stakeholderism, and Non-Commercial orientation.
• All MSG meetings are open to any individual to observe and participate. Minutes and decisions are published to the MSG mailing list within seven (7) days of any meeting.
• The MSG comprises at least four (4) active stakeholder representatives and is open to Government, Civil Society, Private Sector, Technical Community, Academia and Research, and the Media Community, each participating on an equal basis.
• For geographic diversity, the MSG actively seeks representation from each of the seven South Asian nations. No single country shall constitute more than forty percent (40%) of total active MSG membership.
• For gender diversity, at no time shall any single gender identity constitute more than sixty six percent (66%) of the active MSG membership.
• Each MSG member must state an affiliation to one, and only one, recognised stakeholder group. This affiliation may be changed no more than once per year, and no less than one (1) month prior to any event at which the affiliation is relevant.

• Age eligibility – members must be aged between 15 and 35 at the time of joining. The MSG may adopt a fellowship pathway for individuals up to 40 who serve in a mentorship or advisory capacity.
• Geographic eligibility – members must be residents or nationals of a South Asian country, or members of the South Asian diaspora who are actively engaged in South Asian internet governance issues.
• Commitment to principles – members must commit to the organisational principles of Openness, Transparency, Inclusion, and Multi-stakeholderism; to devoting reasonable time and effort in support of yIGF South Asia; and to maintaining and demonstrating respect for all other members, consistent with the highest standards of professional and collegial conduct.
• Due diligence – the MSG conducts appropriate due diligence of applicants and adopts membership based on a transparent review process.
• Participation obligations – members who demonstrate a sustained lack of commitment, or who act contrary to the principles of the founding document, may be suspended from or removed from MSG participation, subject to appropriate due and democratic process.
• All members are equal and have the same rights and responsibilities, acting in their personal capacity.

• To ensure yIGF South Asia is organised and its work conducted in alignment with the UN IGF principles and the values of the founding document.
• To coordinate the preparatory process for the annual yIGF South Asia event, including programme planning, logistics, and financial management.
• To initiate and coordinate outreach toward the wider South Asian youth and internet governance community.
• To streamline outreach activities that bring new stakeholders into the process, either as MSG members or as partners and supporters.
• To actively explore fellowship, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities supporting annual events and year-round capacity building.
• To coordinate public consultations on the programme agenda, call for session inputs, and ensure proper classification and integration of received inputs.
• To prepare an annual event report and ensure it is made publicly available and presented to relevant stakeholders, the South Asian internet governance community, APrIGF, the UN IGF, and other relevant forums.
• To ensure consultation with concerned stakeholders on all important matters related to local and regional internet governance processes, integrating received input into decision-making.
• To develop and implement a structured fellowship programme supporting participation of youth from underrepresented South Asian countries, communities, and backgrounds.
• To represent yIGF South Asia at national IGFs, APrIGF, APyIGF, and the UN IGF.

• All decisions shall, wherever possible, be made by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached following genuine effort, a formal vote may be held.
• An MSG member is a Voting Member if they are subscribed to the MSG mailing list at least six (6) months before any election or formal vote, and have attended at least two (2) MSG meetings during the relevant cycle.
• A list of Voting Members is published publicly prior to any formal vote being undertaken.
• Votes may be carried out using appropriate electronic or online means, including web applications, email, and video or teleconferencing, as determined by the Chair.
• Face-to-face or virtual MSG meetings may be called by the Chair, or in the absence of the Chair by a Co-Chair, with at least seven (7) days notice. Minutes and decisions must be published within seven (7) days.
• Advisory Council members may be invited to MSG meetings as observers and do not hold voting rights.
• Amendments to the founding document require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all Voting Members.

1. The MSG forms a three-member Election Committee for each election of Chair and Co-Chair.
2. The Election Committee has authority to establish rules and regulations for the relevant election, and its decisions are final.
3. Candidates for Chair or Co-Chair must have completed at least one (1) full yIGF South Asia Cycle as an active MSG member. This requirement does not apply to the inaugural Ad Hoc Chair and Co-Chairs.
4. Vacant leadership positions are declared open at the conclusion of each annual yIGF South Asia event and are filled at the next MSG meeting, which occurs no less than one (1) month later.
5. A no-confidence motion against the Chair or a Co-Chair may be submitted if supported by at least one-quarter (1/4) of active MSG members. Such a motion is heard by a specially constituted Committee and requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of total active MSG members to pass.

The MSG may establish Committees, Sub-Committees, and Working Groups as needed, each with a clearly defined mandate, timeline, and Convenor, constituted through an open Call for Volunteers with due regard to diversity.

Such bodies make decisions by rough consensus, report regularly to the MSG, and stand dissolved upon completion of their mandate. Indicative Committees include Programme, Fellowship, Event, and Outreach, which the MSG may merge, rename, or add to as needed.

• yIGF South Asia convenes an annual event, held in a South Asian country, combining capacity-building activities with multi-stakeholder policy dialogue sessions aligned with the themes of the UN IGF and APrIGF.
• The location of each annual event is determined by MSG decision and announced at the conclusion of the preceding annual event, at the latest.
• A transparent bidding process for hosting is opened at least three (3) months before the announcement of the decision, and closed at least one (1) month before the announcement.
• The MSG prioritises rotation of the annual event across different South Asian countries to promote regional equity, build national internet governance capacity, and strengthen the network in each country.
• The annual event format may include hybrid or virtual components to maximise accessibility and inclusion of youth from countries or communities unable to participate in person.

• An organisation or a designated MSG member, the Liaison Coordinator, is appointed to function as the Secretariat of yIGF South Asia.
• The Secretariat is responsible for maintaining the yIGF South Asia website and mailing lists, recording and publishing meeting minutes, managing communications, and performing administrative functions.
• The Secretariat works in close collaboration with the local host of each annual yIGF South Asia event.