The Secretary-General of the United Nations established the Advisory Group (now referred to as the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). Its purpose is to assist the Secretary General in convening the Internet Governance Forums. The MAG comprises of 50 Members from governments, the private sector and civil society, including representatives from the academic and technical communities. The MAG holds meetings three times a year—February, May and September—at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and is preceded by open consultations meetings.

A press release announcing the renewal of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) was issued on 6 May 2009.