www.giplatform.org
Open in
urlscan Pro
85.10.203.4
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.giplatform.org/topics/internet-governance-and-digital-policy/page/6/
Submission: On December 21 via api from US — Scanned from IL
Submission: On December 21 via api from US — Scanned from IL
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
GET https://www.giplatform.org/
<form role="search" aria-label="Search for:" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://www.giplatform.org/">
<label for="search-form-1">
<span class="screen-reader-text"> Search for: </span>
<input type="search" id="search-form-1" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s">
</label>
<input type="submit" class="search-submit" value="Search">
</form>Text Content
Skip to content
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools
Accessibility Tools
* Increase TextIncrease Text
* Decrease TextDecrease Text
* GrayscaleGrayscale
* High ContrastHigh Contrast
* Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
* Light BackgroundLight Background
* Links UnderlineLinks Underline
* Reset Reset
Skip to the content
Search
GIPLATFORM
Menu
* Digital Watch
* Geneva Engage
* Events
* Upcoming events
* Past Events
* Archive
* The road to Bern via Geneva
* Background reserach: First Dialogue
* Background reserach: Second Dialogue
* Background reserach: Third Dialogue
* Background reserach: Fourth Dialogue
* Background reserach: Fifth Dialogue
* Background reserach: Sixth Dialogue
* Data and international organisations
* Geneva Digital Talks
* The Geneva Initiative
* 12 Digital Tours
* How digital issues are covered in global media: The good, the bad, and
the ugly
* Newsletter
* About
Search
Search for:
Close search
Close Menu
* Digital Watch
* Geneva Engage
* EventsShow sub menu
* Upcoming events
* Past Events
* ArchiveShow sub menu
* The road to Bern via GenevaShow sub menu
* Background reserach: First Dialogue
* Background reserach: Second Dialogue
* Background reserach: Third Dialogue
* Background reserach: Fourth Dialogue
* Background reserach: Fifth Dialogue
* Background reserach: Sixth Dialogue
* Data and international organisations
* Geneva Digital Talks
* The Geneva Initiative
* 12 Digital ToursShow sub menu
* How digital issues are covered in global media: The good, the bad, and
the ugly
* Newsletter
* About
TOPIC: INTERNET GOVERNANCE AND DIGITAL POLICY
Internet governance, also referred to as digital policy, deals with the policy
issues associated with digital technology.
Diplo has been providing capacity development support for many years. This
includes online and blended courses, policy research, policy immersion, and
community support. Since many small and developing countries have limited
resources and institutional capacity in this sector, Diplo provides special
assistance to practitioners from these countries.
What is internet governance?
Internet governance refers to the shared principles, norms, rules,
decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of
the Internet. Governments, the private sector, and civil society each contribute
to developing these principles, rules, and processes, in their respective roles.
(WGIG, 2015)
Although internet governance deals with the core of the digital world, the
digital-binary logic of true and false, or good and bad, is inadequate when
talking about technology. Instead, there are many subtleties and shades of
meaning and perception. In order to shape and engage in internet governance,
practitioners require an analogue approach. Such approach needs to cover a
continuum of options and compromises.
The book An Introduction to Internet Governance (7th ed.), by Dr Jovan
Kurbalija, needs no introduction. In fact, today it is one of the most
widely-used books by digital policy professionals and across universities. It
has also been translated into 10 languages.
The book provides a comprehensive overview of the main issues and actors in the
field through a practical framework for analysis, discussion, and resolution of
significant issues.
Download the latest edition, or any of the translated versions.
EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: CERN
Established: 1954
Address: 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
Website: https://www.cern.ch/
Stakeholder group: NGOs and associations
CERN is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading laboratories for
particle physics. At CERN, physicists and engineers probe the fundamental
structure of the universe. To do this, they use the world’s largest and most
complex scientific instruments – particle accelerators and detectors.
Technologies developed at CERN go on to have a significant impact through their
applications in wider society.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
CERN has had an important role in the history of computing and networks. The
World Wide Web (WWW) was invented at CERN by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. The web was
originally conceived and developed to meet the demand for automated
information-sharing between scientists at universities and institutes around the
world.
Grid computing was also developed at CERN with partners and thanks to funding
from the European Commission. The organisation also carries out activities in
the areas of cybersecurity, big data, machine learning (ML), artificial
intelligence (AI), data preservation, and quantum technology.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AI-RELATED PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED AND REFERRED TO AS
PART OF THE CERN OPENLAB ACTIVITIES.
Through CERN openlab, CERN collaborates with leading information and
communications technology (ICT) companies and research institutes. The R&D
projects carried out through CERN openlab address topics related
to data acquisition, computing platforms, data storage architectures, computer
provisioning and management, networks and communication, ML and data analytics,
and quantum technologies. CERN researchers use ML techniques as part of their
efforts to maximise the potential for discovery and optimise resource usage. ML
is used, for instance, to improve the performance of the Large Hadron Collider
(LHC) experiments in areas such as particle detection and managing computing
resources. Going one step further, at the intersection of AI and quantum
computing, CERN openlab is exploring the feasibility of using quantum algorithms
to track the particles produced by collisions in the LHC, and is working on
developing quantum algorithms to help optimise how data is distributed for
storage in the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG). This research is part of the
CERN Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI) activities, launched in 2020 to shape
CERN’s role in the next quantum revolution.
– CERN openlab: a public-private partnership in which CERN collaborates with
ICT companies and other research organisations to accelerate the development of
cutting-edge solutions for the research community, including ML.
– CERN QTI: a comprehensive R&D, academic, and knowledge-sharing initiative to
exploit quantum advantage for high-energy physics and beyond. Given CERN’s
increasing ITC and computing demands, as well as the significant national and
international interests in quantum-technology activities, it aims to provide
dedicated mechanisms for the exchange of both knowledge and innovation.
CLOUD COMPUTING WITHIN ITS WORK, CERN REFERS TO ‘CLOUD COMPUTING’ AS
‘DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING.
The scale and complexity of data from the LHC, the world’s largest particle
accelerator, is unprecedented. This data needs to be stored, easily retrieved,
and analysed by physicists worldwide. This requires massive storage facilities,
global networking, immense computing power, and funding. CERN did not initially
have the computing or financial resources to crunch all of the data on-site, so
in 2002 it turned to grid computing to share the burden with computer centres
around the world. The WLCG builds on the ideas of grid technology initially
proposed in 1999 by Ian Foster and Carl Kesselman. The WLCG relies on a
distributed computing infrastructure, as data from the collisions of protons or
heavy ions are distributed via the internet for processing at data centres
worldwide. This approach of using virtual machines is based on the same paradigm
as cloud computing. It is expected that further CERN developments in the field
of data processing will continue to influence digital technologies.
TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN ITS WORK, CERN REFERS TO
‘TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE’ AS ‘NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE’.
In the 1970s, CERN developed CERNET, a lab-wide network to access mainframe
computers in its data centre. This pioneering network eventually led CERN to
become an early European adopter of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) for use in connecting systems on site. In 1989, CERN opened
its first external TCP/IP connections and by 1990, CERN had become the largest
internet site in Europe and was ready to host the first WWW server. Nowadays, in
addition to the WLCG and its distributed computing infrastructure, CERN is also
the host of the CERN Internet eXchange Point (CIXP), which optimises CERN’s
internet connectivity and is also open to interested internet service providers
(ISPs).
* How the Internet came to CERN
* CERN Internet eXchange Point (CIXP)
DIGITAL STANDARDS WITHIN ITS WORK, CERN ADDRESSES ‘WEB STANDARDS’ AS ‘OPEN
SCIENCE’.
Ever since releasing the World Wide Web software under an open-source model in
1994, CERN has been a pioneer in the open-source field, supporting open-source
hardware (with the CERN Open Hardware Licence), open access (with the Sponsoring
Consortium for Open Access Publishing in Particle Physics SCOAP3) and open data
(with the CERN Open Data Portal). Several CERN technologies are being developed
with open science in mind, such as Indico, InvenioRDM, REANA, and Zenodo.
Open-source software, such as CERNBox, CERN Tape Archive (CTA), EOS, File
Transfer Service (FTS), GeantIV, ROOT, RUCIO, and service for web-based analysis
(SWAN), has been developed to handle, distribute, and analyse the huge volumes
of data generated by the LHC experiments and are also made available to the
wider society.
* Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) (in the context of the additional work
done by IETF on internet standards)
* Pushing the Boundaries of Open Science at CERN: Submission to the UNESCO Open
Science Consultation
DIGITAL TOOLS
DATA GOVERNANCE WITHIN ITS WORK, CERN REFERS TO ‘DATA GOVERNANCE’ AS ‘DATA
PRESERVATION’.
CERN manages vast amounts of data; not only scientific data, but also data in
more common formats such as webpages, images and videos, documents, and more.
For instance, the CERN Data Centre processes on average one petabyte (one
million gigabytes) of data per day. As such, the organisation notes that it
faces the challenge of preserving its digital memory. CERN also points to the
fact that many of the tools that are used to preserve data generated by the LHC
and other scientific projects are also suitable for preserving other types of
data and are made available to wider society.
The CERN Open Data Policy for scientific experiments at the LHC is essential to
make scientific research more reproducible, accessible, and collaborative. It
reflects values that have been enshrined in the CERN Convention for more than 60
years that were reaffirmed in the European Strategy for Particle Physics (2020),
and aims to empower the LHC experiments to adopt a consistent approach towards
the openness and preservation of experimental data (applying FAIR standards to
better share and reuse data).
EOSC Future is an EU-funded project that is contributing to establishing the
European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) to provide a Web of FAIR Data and Services
for science in Europe. The implementation of EOSC is based on the long-term
process of alignment and coordination pursued by the Commission since 2015.
CERN joined the recently formed EOSC Association in 2020. The EOSC Association
is the legal entity established to govern the EOSC and has since grown to more
than 250 members and observers.
* DPHEP (Data Preservation in High Energy Physics) (CERN is a founding member)
* The CERN Open Data Policy
* EOSC (European Open Science Cloud) (CERN is a mandated organisation and a
member of the EOSC Association)
* Online learning opportunities – through CERN academic training
* Online introductory lectures on quantum computing – through CERN QTI
FUTURE OF MEETINGS
More information about ongoing and upcoming events, you can find on the events
page.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Facebook @cern
Instagram @cern
LinkedIn @cern
X @CERN
YouTube @CERN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRADUATE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: Geneva Graduate Institute
Established: 1927
Address: Case postale 1672, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Website: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch
The Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (Geneva
Graduate Institute) is an institution of research and higher education at the
postgraduate level dedicated to the study of world affairs, with a particular
emphasis on the cross-cutting fields of international relations and development
issues.
Through its core activities, the Institute promotes international cooperation
and contributes to the progress of developing societies. More broadly, it
endeavours to develop creative thinking on the major challenges of our time,
foster global responsibility, and advance respect for diversity.
By intensely engaging with international organisations, non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), governments, and multinational companies, the Institute
participates in global discussions and prepares future policymakers to lead
tomorrow’s world.
In 2022, the Institute launched a new Competence Hub on digital technologies.
The Tech Hub brings together a diversity of internal and external expertise to
explore technologies from a human-centred and human-biotype-centred perspective.
The focus will be the exploration of current and future technological
innovations from a social science perspective, with an interest in the
socio-political, governance, and geopolitical consequences of the current
technological revolution. It will progressively structure different kinds of
activities as well as welcome and foster research projects.
This transdisciplinary and horizontal initiative enables the Institute to forge
and express its own unique voice on the digital turn and its consequences. It
has indeed a particular role to play in the exploration of all those questions
that need a transdisciplinary social science and humanities perspective and are
by nature profoundly inter-transnational. The reality is that the Institute is
already producing research and knowledge on those questions and diffusing them
through teaching and events.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
As part of its main strategy, the Institute seeks to develop digitally driven
innovation in teaching and research, as well as information technology (IT)
services. At the same time, as a research institution focusing on global
challenges and their impacts, the digital turn has become one of its fundamental
and policy-oriented research areas.
In terms of research, a growing number of researchers and PhD candidates analyse
the impact of digitalisation on international relations and development issues.
A few examples of research topics are cybersecurity, hybrid threats and warfare,
surveillance technologies, internet governance, digital diplomacy, digital
health, digital rights, digital trust, digital economy, the future of work,
blockchain and cryptocurrencies, AI and humanitarian law, and AI and peace
negotiations among others. The Institute has also developed expertise in using
digital technologies as new research methods, including computational social
scientific methods and big data analytics.
In terms of teaching, its Master, PhD, and executive education courses are
increasingly focused on the effects of digitalisation on society and the
economy, and more generally the global system. Some examples of courses are
Digital Approaches to Conflict Prevention, Digital Innovation in Nature
Conservation, Internet, Technology and International Law, Introduction to
Digital Social Science Research, Technology, Society and Decision- making, The
Politics of Digital Design, AI and Politics, Internet Governance and Economics,
Technology and Development, and Digital Diplomacy and Power Relations on
Cyberspace. Digital skills workshops are also organised for students to provide
them with basic digital competence for their future professional or academic
life, including big data analysis, introduction to programming with R and
Python, and data analysis in various contexts.
The Executive Education Course, upskill series, titled Artificial Intelligence:
A Strategic Asset for Diplomacy and Organisations, caters to diplomats and
professionals in international missions and organisations. Recognising the
increasing reliance on AI and digital technologies in these settings, the
two-day course delves into the transformative impact of these tools on
decision-making, negotiation, administrative tasks, and future scenario
prediction. Through concrete applications and case studies, participants explore
the promises and pitfalls of AI, including its geopolitical implications. The
second day is dedicated to hands-on practice, allowing participants to use and
discuss innovative digital tools for enhancing their professional activities.
Over the years, the Institute has developed a performing IT infrastructure with
secured data storage space and digital platforms (e.g. Campus, Moodle, TurntIn,
Zoom, MyHR, Salesforces, Converis) to provide seamless services as well as
dematerialised/paperless processes (e.g. student applications, course
registration) for students, staff, and professors.
The Institute has developed digital tools (e.g. app for students, responsive
website) and used digital services (e.g. social media, Facebook, Google ads) for
many years in its student recruitment and communication campaigns.
Digital tools are also part of the pedagogical methods to improve learning.
Flipped classrooms, MOOCs, SPOCs, and podcasts, to name a few, are used by
professors in Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as in executive education.
The Institute also supports professors in developing pedagogical skills and in
using digital tools. Workshops are offered to all faculty members at the end of
the summer to prepare them for hybrid teaching and the use of new technological
tools in the classroom.
The Institute also organises workshops, seminars, film screenings, and other
events on the digital turn, ranging from the digital divide and the governance
and regulatory aspects of data to cybersecurity.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
Some of the Institute’s prominent research initiatives are listed under
respective digital policy issues sections.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
CONFLICT AND PEACEBUILDING
The faculty carries out a number of digital policy-related research projects,
some of which focus on AI in particular. For example, the project titled Lethal
Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) and War Crimes: Who is to Bear Responsibility?
aims to clarify whether and to what extent the requirements for ascribing
criminal responsibility for the commission of an act – and in particular, the
key concepts of culpability theories – can be applied to the use of LAWS in
combat operations. This analysis will serve to identify lacunae and
inconsistencies in the current legal framework in the face of the advent of
military robotics.
This project explores how the increasing digitalisation of peace processes
affects international peace building efforts that take place in a global
environment characterised by friction between liberal and authoritarian
approaches. To make sense of these dynamics, the project draws on the concept of
apomediation, to suggest that solutions to conflict are no longer simply
supplied by human agents, but through a complex entanglement of human-machine
networks.
The Intrepid Project aims to develop a general understanding of how policy
announcements by state agencies are interpreted by journalists in ways that send
signals, indicate intent, and otherwise provoke economic and political
reactions. Machine learning (ML) techniques and the semantic and syntactic
properties of announcement texts are then used to develop models of the
announcement interpretation process.
GLOBAL HEALTH
A number of projects carried out by the Institute’s members address the
relationship between digital technologies and health. For instance, the
Modelling Early Risk Indicators to Anticipate Malnutrition (MERIAM) project uses
computer models to test and scale up cost effective means to improve the
prediction and monitoring of undernutrition in difficult contexts.
The Institute hosted the new Digital Health and AI Research Collaborative
(I-DAIR) (new HealthAI) directed by former Ambassador of India and Visiting
Lecturer at the Institute Amandeep Gill. I-DAIR aims to create a platform to
promote responsible and inclusive AI research and digital technology development
for health. This platform is supported by the Geneva Science and Diplomacy
Anticipator (GESDA).
The project Governing Health Futures 2030: Growing up in a Digital World, hosted
at the Global Health Centre (GHC), explores how to ensure that digital
development helps improve the health and well-being of all, and especially among
children and young people. It focuses on examining integrative policies for
digital health, AI, and universal health coverage to support the attainment of
the third sustainable development goal (SDG).
DEMOCRACY
Questions about the potential impact of the internet are now routinely raised in
relation to political events and elections in most places. The project on the
Digital Infrastructuring of Democracy asks how the digital infrastructuring of
democracy unfolds through regulatory and political processes, with a heuristic
focus on both its transnational dimension and its specific reverberations in
democracies of the Global South. The project concentrates on one thematic
controversy related to each aspect of infrastructure: the accountability of
algorithms for code, data protection for content, and encryption for
circulation.
Taking stock of the centrality of AI in society and in the citizen-government
relation, this project hosted at the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy seeks
to engage with youth in Switzerland to explore the future role of AI in
democracy through storytelling and narrative foresight. It will give a voice to
the citizens of tomorrow and collaborate with art schools to design
participatory AI art.
FUTURE OF WORK
Focusing on the Global South, the project African Futures: Digital Labor and
Blockchain Technology strengthened empirical knowledge on changing trends in
employment in the region by way of a two-pronged approach to the increasingly
interconnected global division of labour: (1) App-based work mediated by online
service platforms and (2) the use of blockchain technology in mining sites for
ethical sourcing, traceability, and proof of origin.
The emergence of AI and digitally mediated work represents a fundamental
challenge for most developing economies. Coupled with jobless economic growth,
rising human productivity, and the exponential increase of the available labour
pool, few jobs can be said to be safe from automated labour. This project
examines the impact of digital work and automation in the Global South, from
blockchain technology to ride-sharing apps, to inform debates on automation,
computerisation and non-standard forms of work.
INCLUSIVE FINANCE
Projects carried out by the Institute’s members also address the role of digital
technologies in enhancing financial inclusion. The project Effects of Digital
Economy on Banking and Finance studies digital innovations and how fintech
extends financial services to firms and households and improves credit
allocation using loan-account level data comparing fintech and traditional
banking.
DIGITAL TOOLS
* Digital collections that allow free access to historical documents, texts,
and photographs on international relations from the sixteenth to the
twentieth century.
* Two free online courses (MOOCs) on globalisation and global governance.
* Podcasts showcasing professors’ and guests’ expertise (What matters today, In
conversation with, Parlons en).
* Podcasts are also integrated into the curricula of several international
histories and interdisciplinary Master’s courses to encourage students to use
social network platforms to popularise their findings.
FUTURE OF MEETINGS
Events, sessions, and seminars are held online (usually on Zoom), for example,
information sessions for admitted and prospective students take place online.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Facebook @graduateinstitute
Instagram @graduateinstitute
LinkedIn @geneva graduate institute
X @GVAGrad
YouTube @Geneva Graduate Institute
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR DISARMAMENT RESEARCH
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: UNIDIR
Established: 1980
Address: Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Website: https://www.unidir.org/
Stakeholder group: International and regional organisations
Founded in 1980, UNIDIR is a voluntarily funded, autonomous institute within the
United Nations. One of the few policy institutes worldwide focusing on
disarmament, UNIDIR generates knowledge and promotes dialogue and action on
disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR assists the international
community to develop the practical, innovative ideas needed to find solutions to
critical security problems.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
The research areas of UNIDIR’s SecTec focus on cybersecurity, such as threats
and vulnerabilities related to information and communications technologies
(ICTs), and the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI)
applications in warfare. SecTec has supported the UN processes on ICTs Group of
Governmental Experts (GGE) and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and continues
to support the OEWG on security of and in the use of ICTs (2021–2025). It
focuses on research and awareness raising on this topic with a broad range of
stakeholders and maps the cybersecurity policy landscape.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
CYBERSECURITY
SecTec builds knowledge and raises awareness of the security implications of new
and emerging technologies. Cyber stability is one area of focus for UNIDIR, the
work of which supports the implementation of specific norms and recommendations
previously agreed by member states. It also explores options to strengthen cyber
stability and crisis management mechanisms. UNIDIR provides technical and expert
advice to the chairpersons of the UN GGE and OEWG on norms, international law,
confidence-building measures, capacity building, cooperation, and
institutional dialogue. The annual Cyber Stability Conference brings various
stakeholders together to promote a secure and stable cyberspace and in
particular the role of the UN processes such as the OEWG on Security of and in
the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (2021–2025).
Launched in 2019, the Cyber Policy Portal is an interactive map of the global
cyber policy landscape. It provides profiles of the cyber policies of all 193 UN
member states, in addition to various intergovernmental organizations and
multi-stakeholder instruments and other initiatives. This confidence-building
tool supports informed participation by relevant stakeholders in all policy
processes and promotes trust, transparency, and cooperation in cyberspace. The
updated version of the portal was launched in May 2022, providing several new
features, such as full text search, and is available in all UN official
languages.
Accessible from the portal, the National Survey of Implementation of United
Nations Recommendations of Responsible Use of ICTs by States in the Context of
International Security collates national take-up of the recommendations from the
2015 GGE report, with a view to assisting assessment of their further
development and implementation. The survey allows UN member states to conduct
regular self-assessments of national implementation of the recommendations.
It can also support UN member states in responding to an invitation from the UN
General Assembly (UNGA) to continue to inform the Secretary-General of their
views and assessments on the issue of developments in the field of ICTs in the
context of international security.
It supports transparency, information sharing, and confidence building by giving
UN member states the possibility of making the results of the survey publicly
available on their national profiles on UNIDIR’s Cyber Policy Portal.
The Cyber Policy Portal Database provides direct access to documents and
references through the profiles of all 193 UN member states on the Cyber Policy
Portal. The database allows searching across several categories, including
state, type of document, topic, issuing body, and more.
Publication
* Drawing Parallels: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on the Cyber PoA Scope,
Structure and Content
* Use of ICTs by States: Rights and Responsibilities Under the UN Charter
* Unpacking Cyber Capacity-Building Needs: Part I. Mapping the Foundational
Cyber Capabilities
* Unpacking Cyber Capacity-Building Needs: Part II. Introducing a Threat-Based
Approach
* Operationalizing a Directory of Points of Contact for Cyber
Confidence-Building Measures
* Towards a More Stable and Secure ICT Environment: Unpacking Inter-State
Cooperation (Conference Summary Report)
* Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State
Behaviour
* Cyber Stability Conference: Protecting Critical Infrastructure And Services
Across Sectors
* India’s International Cyber Operations: Tracing National Doctrine and
Capabilities
* A Taxonomy of Malicious ICT Incidents
* 2021 Cyber Stability Conference: Towards a More Secure Cyberspace
* Enhancing Cooperation to Address Criminal and Terrorist Use of ICTs
* Non-Escalatory Attribution of International Cyber-Incidents: Facts,
International Law and Politics
* Due Diligence in Cyberspace: Normative Expectations of Reciprocal Protection
of International Legal Rights
* ICTs, International Security, and Cybercrime
* Applying Chapters VI and VII of the United Nations Charter in the Cyber
Context
* International Cyber Operations: National Doctrines and Capabilities Research
Paper Series
* International Cooperation to Mitigate Cyber Operations Against Critical
Infrastructure
* Supply Chain Security in the Cyber Age: Sector Trends, Current Threats and
Multi-Stakeholder Responses
Events
* Digital Tools for Disarmament: An Overview of UNIDIR Portals and Databases
* Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Internet Fragmentation
* Unpacking Cyber Capacity-Building Needs: From Research to Action
* Technology Breakfast: Quantum and Cybersecurity
* Protecting Global Internet Infrastructure: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue
* Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible
State Behaviour –
https://unidir.org/event/multi-stakeholder-dialogue-subsea-communications-cables-and-responsible-state-behaviour/
* 2023 Cyber Stability Conference – Use of ICTs by States: Rights and
Responsibilities Under the UN Charter
* Side Event: A Taxonomy of Malicious ICT Incidents
* 2022 Cyber Stability Conference: Protecting Critical Infrastructure and
Services Across Sectors
* International Cyber Crisis Management Regional Workshop Series
* National Survey of Implementation of United Nations Recommendations on
Responsible Use of ICTs by States in the Context of International Security
* Open-ended Working Group Cyber 201: Framework Recap
* 2021 Cyber Stability Conference: Towards a More Secure Cyberspace
* ICTs, International Security, and Cybercrime: understanding their
intersection for better policy making
* 2020 Cyber Stability Conference: Exploring the Future of Institutional
Dialogue
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI and the weaponization of increasingly autonomous technologies is one of
UNIDIR’s current research areas. It aims to raise awareness and build capacities
of various stakeholders, including member states, technical communities,
academia, and the private sector. Research on AI covers a broad range of topics
from human decision-making, autonomous vehicles, and swarm technologies.
UNIDIR SecTec recently launched the Artificial Intelligence Policy Portal. This
tool gathers available information at the national, regional, and international
levels on policies, processes, and structures that are relevant to the
development and use of AI for military or security purposes. The Portal has been
developed to support transparency, information sharing, and confidence building
in the field of AI
Publications
* AI and International Security: Understanding the Risks and Paving the Path
for Confidence-Building Measures
* Artificial Intelligence Beyond Weapons: Application and Impact of AI in the
Military Domain
* Proposals Related to Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous
Weapons Systems: A Resource Paper (updated)
* The 2022 Innovations Dialogue: AI Disruption, Peace and Security
* Uncrewed Aerial, Ground, and Maritime Systems: A Compendium
* Towards Responsible AI in Defence: A Mapping and Comparative Analysis of AI
Principles Adopted by States
* Confidence-Building Measures for Artificial Intelligence: A Framing Paper
* Uncrewed Maritime Systems: A Primer
* Uncrewed Aerial Systems: A Primer
* Uncrewed Ground Systems: A Primer
* Human-Machine Interfaces in Autonomous Weapon Systems
* UNIDIR on Lethal Autonomous Weapons
* Table-Top Exercises on the Human Element and Autonomous Weapons System
* Known Unknowns: Data Issues and Military Autonomous Systems
* The Black Box, Unlocked: Predictability and Understandability in Military AI
* Modernizing Arms Control: Exploring Responses to the Use of AI in Military
Decision-Making
* The Human Element in Decisions About the Use of Force
Events
* Digital Tools for Disarmament: An Overview of UNIDIR Portals and Databases
* Risks of AI (Report Launch)
* The Application and Impact of Artificial Intelligence Beyond Weapons
(Publication Launch)
* 2023 Innovations Dialogue: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Future
Battlefields
* Empowering AI Policy: Introducing the UNIDIR Artificial Intelligence Policy
Portal
* Technological Advances of Uncrewed Systems in the Air, Land and Maritime
Domains
* Human–AI Teaming
* 2022 Innovations Dialogue: AI Disruption, Peace, and Security
* Towards Ethically Driven Robotics and Automation Systems
* Predictability and Understandability in Military AI
* The 2021 Innovations Dialogue: Deepfakes, Trust and International Security
* Known Unknowns: Data Issues and Military Autonomous Systems
* Webinar series on the technological, military and legal aspects of lethal
autonomous weapon systems
* Predictability and Understandability in Lethal Autonomous Weapons
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
UNIDIR’s research equally focuses on security dimensions of innovations in
science and technology. In synergy with the Secretary-General’s Agenda for
Disarmament and recent UNGA resolutions on the role of science and technology in
the context of international security, UNIDIR proactively identifies and
examines emerging and over-the-horizon innovations. It analyses potential
implications for international security and facilitates dialogue among relevant
stakeholders to encourage cross-sector cooperation.
Publications
* Exploring the Use of Technology for Remote Ceasefire Monitoring Aad
Verification
* 2021 Innovations Dialogue Conference Report
* Exploring Distributed Ledger Technology for Arms Control and
Non-Proliferation: A Primer
* Exploring Science and Technology Review Mechanisms Under the Biological
Weapons Convention
* Advances in Science and Technology in the Life Sciences
* Magnifying Nanomaterials
Events
* Introduction to Wargaming
* Quantum Technologies and Their Implications for International Peace and
Security
* Exploring Directed Energy Weapons and the Implications of Their Use Under
International Law
* Preparing for the Future of International Peace and Security/
* Brain-Computer Interfaces Webinar Series, Part 3: Legal and Ethical
Challenges
* Brain-Computer Interfaces Webinar Series, Part 2: BCIs in the Context of
International Security: Military Uses, Applications and Risks
* Brain-Computer Interfaces Webinar Series, Part 1: Existing and Near-Term Uses
of BCIs
* Virtual Launch of the Technology and Ceasefires Publication: Exploring the
Use of Technology for Remote Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification
* Exploring Science and Technology Review Mechanisms under the Biological
Weapons Convention
* New Technological Opportunities to Bolster Treaty Compliance
* Innovations in Life Sciences
* The 2020 Innovations Dialogue: Life Sciences, International Security and
Disarmament
* Scientific and Technological Responses to Pandemics: Drawing Parallels
Between International Security and Public Health
DIGITAL TOOLS
Directed Energy Weapons: The ‘new’ Option for Militaries 2021 Innovations
Dialogue: Deepfakes, Trust and International Security Drones and Counter-Drone
Technology: An Escalating Dynamic New Technological Opportunities to Bolster
Treaty Compliance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: UNECE
Established: 1947
Address: Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Website: https://www.unece.org/info/ece-homepage.html
Stakeholder group: International and regional organisations
UNECE is one of five regional commissions of the UN. Its major aim is to promote
pan-European economic integration. To do so, it brings together 56 countries in
Europe, North America, and Central Asia, which discuss and cooperate on economic
and sectoral issues.
UNECE works to promote sustainable development and economic growth through
policy dialogue, negotiation of international legal instruments, development of
regulations and norms, exchange and application of best practices, economic and
technical expertise, and technical cooperation for countries with economies in
transition. It also sets out norms, standards, and conventions to facilitate
international cooperation.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
UNECE’s work touches on several digital policy issues, ranging from digital
standards (in particular in relation to electronic data interchange for
administration, commerce, and transport) to the internet of things (IoT) (e.g.
intelligent transport systems). Its activities on connected vehicles and
automated driving systems are essential to seize the benefits of technical
progress and disruptions in that field and to operationalise new mobility
concepts such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS). Its UN/CEFACT develops trade
facilitation recommendations and electronic business standards, covering both
commercial and government business processes. UNECE also carries out activities
focused on promoting sustainable development, in areas such as sustainable and
smart cities for all ages; sustainable mobility and smart connectivity; and
measuring and monitoring progress towards the sustainable development goals
(SDGs).
UNECE’s work in the field of statistics is also relevant for digital policy
issues. For example, the 2019 Guidance on Modernizing Statistical Legislation–
which guides countries through the process of reviewing and revising statistical
legislation – covers issues such as open data, national and international data
exchanges, and government data management.
UNECE carries out extensive work in the area of sustainable transport leading on
several UN Conventions. Accession to the conventions continues to increase as
more and more member states realise the benefits in the time taken and
associated costs in the movement of goods. Numerous digitised systems have been
developed, and are maintained, hosted, and administered under the auspices of
UNECE. For a number of other tools and mechanisms, work is underway.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
DIGITAL STANDARDS
UNECE’s intergovernmental body UN/CEFACT continues making great strides in the
area of digital standards. In a recent collaboration with the International
Federation of Freight-Forwarders Associations (FIATA), it developed the
electronic FIATA Multimodal Bill of Lading (eFBL) data standard. The basis of
the mapping of the Negotiable FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FBL)
with the UN/CEFACT Multimodal Transport (MMT) reference data model, allows the
exchange of BL data in a standardised way, facilitating interoperability between
all modes of transport and industry stakeholders. Similar to other data
standards developed by UN/CEFACT, the data standard is offered as open-source
for all software providers and industry stakeholders to implement. UNECE’s
standardisation work builds on a family of reference data models in alignment
with its strategy to become the next generation of global standards for trade
and transport information exchange. Other digital standards in the areas of
supply chain management, agriculture, and travel and tourism (e.g. Buy Ship Pay
Reference Data Model, Textile and Leather Data Model (Part 1 and Part 2), and
Travel and Tourism Experience Programme Data Model) are a great step toward
paperless trade and benefit all actors of the supply chain by reducing costs,
increasing security, and gaining efficiency.
* UN/EDIFACT
* UN/CEFACT eCert
* UN/CEFACT FLUX
* UN/CCL
* XML Schemas
* Various other standards cover areas such as supply chain management,
transport and logistics, agriculture, accounting and audit, travel and
tourism, and the environment.
* UN Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)
* UN/CEFACT Github Repository
* UN/CEFACT Collaborative Environment (CUE)
* UNECE Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide
* UN/CEFACT Streamline Presentation of Standards
* UN/CEFACT Guidance Material
INTERNET OF THINGS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As the UN centre for inland transport, UNECE hosts international regulatory
platforms in the field of automated driving and intelligent transport systems.
It hosts multilateral agreements and conventions ruling the requirements and the
use of these technologies (such as the UN agreements on vehicle regulations and
the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic). Its activities (e.g. facilitating policy
dialogue and developing regulations and norms) contribute to enabling automated
driving functionalities and ensuring that the benefits of these technologies can
be captured without compromising safety and progress achieved in areas such as
border crossing and interoperability. It also collaborates with other interested
stakeholders, including the automotive and information and communications
technology (ICT) industries, consumer organisations, governments, and
international organisations.
Another area of work for UNECE is related to harnessing smart technologies and
innovation for sustainable and smart cities. In this regard, it promotes the use
of ICTs in city planning and service provision and it has developed (together
with ITU) a set of key performance indicators for smart sustainable cities.
UNECE also works to facilitate connectivity through sustainable infrastructure.
For instance, it assists countries in developing smart grids for more efficient
energy distribution, and it administers international e-roads, e-rail, and
e-waterway networks.
UNECE launched the Advisory Group on Advanced Technology in Trade and Logistics
(AGAT) in 2020 on topics, such as distributed ledger technologies (DLT)
including blockchain, IoT, and AI.
The UNECE High-Level Group on Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) has
been at the forefront of modernisation initiatives in the field of official
statistics. These initiatives include innovative areas such as big data,
synthetic data, and machine learning (ML). A UNECE guide, Machine Learning for
Official Statistics, can help national and international statistical
organisations to harness the power of ML to modernise the production of official
statistics. Responding to the growing interest in LLM, HLG-MOS is working on a
white paper to establish a common understanding of LLM’s potential within the
statistical community by exploring implications and opportunities for official
statistics.
In trade, the newly released UN/CEFACT JSON-LD Web Vocabulary complements and
enhances the capabilities of AI systems for trade-related exchanges. It aims to
support the interoperability of trade by allowing supply chain actors to more
easily integrate a common vocabulary in their business tools (e.g. software
applications, AI algorithms) to ensure that data shared between different
entities (e.g. suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, transporters, financiers,
and regulators) is consistent and easily interpretable, reducing errors and
misunderstandings.
Access to the text of UN Regulations UN Regulation No. 155 on Cyber Security and
Cyber Security Management UN Regulation No. 156 on Software Updates and Software
Updates Management Systems World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations
(WP.29) Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles Access to
the text of UN Regulations
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ENERGY
AI and other technologies are inspiring energy suppliers, transmission and
distribution companies, and demand sectors (buildings, industry, transport) to
establish new business models to generate, deliver, and consume energy in a more
sustainable way.
UNECE established a task force on digitalization in energy to offer a platform
for cross-industry experts from the energy sector and digital innovation to
develop a unified voice on digitalisation in energy.
The group found that AI and digitalisation have the potential to reduce
residential and commercial buildings’ energy use by as much as 10% globally by
2040 if applied throughout a building’s value chain and life cycle. In
particular, applications of AI may help optimise a building’s orientation for
solar heat gain and predict power and heat needs, thus increasing overall energy
security and maximising the integration of renewable energy sources.
The group also found that AI and digitalisation could help achieve energy
savings of at least 10%–20% in the industrial sector (which consumes around 38%
of global final energy and produces 24% of greenhouse gasses).
UNECE has partnered with the University of Zürich to develop an AI-powered tool
that will offer a real-time interactive compendium of information and data
resources on the resilience of energy systems. The platform will equip
policymakers with a cutting-edge tool that will inform their policy decisions by
facilitating knowledge management and dissemination capabilities. It is also
meant to help identify technology and policy breakthroughs and mobilise
financial flows for resilience. The European Investment Bank, the International
Atomic Energy Agency, the International Energy Agency, the International
Telecommunication Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Bank, and other
organisations contribute their knowledge base to support and shape this tool.
AUTOMATED DRIVING
* Revised Framework Document on Automated/Autonomous Vehicle (2022)
* Guidelines and Recommendations Concerning Safety Requirements for Automated
Driving Systems (document endorsed in June 2022)
* Guideline for Validating Automated Driving System (document endorsed in June
2022)
* Paper on Artificial Intelligence and Vehicle Regulations (2018) and update
(2022)
* UN Regulation No. 157 on the Type Approval of Automated Lane Keeping Systems
(ALKS) (2020), amended in June 2022
* Resolution on the Deployment of Highly and Fully Automated Vehicles in Road
Traffic
* Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968)
* All You Need To Know About Automated Vehicles (2022)
* UN Regulation on Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with
regard to Cyber Security and of their Cybersecurity Management Systems
* UN Regulation No. 156 – Software Update and Software Update Management System
* Key Performance Indicators for Smart Sustainable Cities (2015)
* Resolution on the Deployment of Highly and Fully Automated Vehicles in Road
Traffic
* Artificial Intelligence and Vehicle Regulations I. Introduction II. Some Terms
And applications
* World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29)
* Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
* Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (WP.1)
* UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management
* Advisory Group on Advanced Technologies (AGAT) | UNECE
* ITU and UNECE co-organise the annual Future Networked Car symposium
* ITU and UNECE have developed key performance indicators for smart sustainable
cities
* United for Smart Sustainable Cities – UNECE is one of the coordinators
* Artificial Intelligence Demystified – Background, Principles and the Main
Applications of Artificial Intelligence and Related Concepts
BLOCKCHAIN
UNECE’s subsidiary body UN/CEFACT has been exploring the use of blockchain for
trade facilitation. For instance, work carried out within the Blockchain White
Paper Project has resulted in two white papers: One looking at the impact of
blockchain on the technical standards work of UN/CEFACT and another looking at
how blockchain could facilitate trade and related business processes. The
ongoing Chain Project is focused on developing a framework/mechanism for the
development and implementation of blockchain services infrastructure, and
creating a whitepaper on strategy for the development and implementation of
interoperable global blockchain technology infrastructure. Another
blockchain-related project looks into the development of a standard on the
creation of a cross-border inter-customs ledger using blockchain technology.
* White Paper: Technical Applications of Blockchain to UN/CEFACT Deliverables
(2019)
* White Paper: Blockchain in Trade Facilitation (2019)
* Briefing Note on Blockchain for the United Nations SDGs (2018)
* UN/CEFACT Chain Project
* UN/CEFACT Project: Cross Border Inter-ledger Exchange for Preferential COO
Using Blockchain
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
UNECE achieved a transformative milestone with regard to cybersecurity in the
broad automotive sector with the adoption of UN Regulation No. 155 (Cyber
Security and CSMS) and UN Regulation No. 156 (Software Updates).
Before that, cyber risks related to connected vehicles were apparent but not
systematically addressed. Security researchers alerted the public of them by
revealing various vulnerabilities. There were only narrow standards and
guidelines for securing vehicles, such as standards for secure communication
among Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and for hardware encryption.
UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (Working Party on
Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) WP.29) adopted two important
new regulations on cybersecurity and over-the-air software updates and led to
the situation where cybersecurity became non-negotiable for securing market
access via type approval for those countries applying this regime. GRVA also
developed recommendations on uniform provisions concerning cybersecurity and
software updates for countries applying the self-certification regime.
* Proposal for Recommendations on Uniform Provisions Concerning Cyber Security
and Software Updates (Global recommendation)
Under the 1958 Agreement (binding to 54 countries)
* UN Regulation No. 155 on Cyber Security and Cyber Security Management
* UN Regulation No. 156 on Software Updates and Software Updates Management
Systems
* World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29)
* Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
* Access to the text of UN Regulations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: WTO
Established: 1995
Address: Centre William Rappard, Rue de Lausanne 154, 1211 Geneva 21,
Switzerland
Website: https://www.wto.org/
Stakeholder group: International and regional organisations
WTO is an intergovernmental organisation that deals with the rules of trade
among its members. Its main functions include administering WTO trade
agreements, providing a forum for trade negotiations, settling trade disputes,
monitoring national trade policies, providing technical assistance and training
for developing countries, and ensuring cooperation with other international
organisations.
WTO members have negotiated and agreed upon rules regulating international
trade, fostering transparency and predictability in the international trading
system. The main agreements are the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO,
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS), and the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
Several internet governance and digital trade policy-related issues are
discussed in WTO. E-commerce discussions are ongoing under the Work Programme on
Electronic Commerce and among a group of 90 WTO members currently negotiating
e-commerce rules under the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce.
Discussions focus on several digital issues, including data flows and data
localisation, source code, cybersecurity, privacy, consumer protection, capacity
building, and customs duties on electronic transmissions.
As part of its outreach activities, WTO organises numerous events such as the
Aid for Trade Global Review and an annual Public Forum, which brings together
governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academics, businesses, and
other stakeholders for discussions on a broad range of issues, including many
relating to the digital economy.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
In 1997, WTO members successfully concluded negotiations on market access for
basic telecommunications services, which resulted in new specific commitments in
the sector for a significant part of WTO membership. These negotiations also
resulted in the Reference Paper, a set of regulatory principles for basic
telecommunication services that various members have inscribed in their
schedules of commitments. Since 1997, the number of members that have undertaken
market access commitments on telecommunications and subscribed to the Reference
Paper has continued to increase as a result of new governments joining WTO
through the process of accession. Under the JSI negotiations, participants are
discussing a proposal that seeks to update the provisions of the Reference
Paper.
DIGITAL STANDARDS THE ISSUE OF DIGITAL STANDARDS IS ADDRESSED AS ‘STANDARDS AND
REGULATIONS’ WITHIN THE WORK OF WTO.
International standards are important to the global digital economy as they can
enable interconnectivity and interoperability for telecommunications and
internet infrastructures. The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement (TBT
Agreement) aims to ensure that technical regulations, standards, and conformity
assessment procedures affecting trade in goods (including telecommunications
products) are non-discriminatory and do not create unnecessary obstacles to
trade. The TBT Agreement strongly encourages that such regulatory measures be
based on relevant international standards. The TBT Committee serves as a forum
where governments discuss and address concerns with specific regulations,
including those affecting digital trade. Examples of relevant TBT measures
notified to or discussed at the TBT Committee include (1) measures addressing
the internet of things (IoT) and related devices in terms of their safety,
interoperability, national security/cybersecurity, performance, and quality; (2)
measures regulating 5G cellular network technology for reasons related to, among
others, national security and interoperability; (3) measures regulating 3D
printing (additive manufacturing) devices; (4) measures regulating drones (small
unmanned aircraft systems) due to risks for humans/consumers, interoperability
problems, and national security risks; and (5) measures dealing with autonomous
vehicles, mostly concerned with their safety and performance.
CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity issues have been addressed in several WTO bodies. For example, the
TBT Committee has discussed national cybersecurity regulations applicable to
information and communications technology (ICT) products and their potential
impact on trade. In the TBT Committee, WTO members have raised specific trade
concerns related to cybersecurity regulations. Some of the specific issues
discussed include how cybersecurity regulations discriminating against foreign
companies and technologies can negatively impact international trade in ICT
products. Proposals on cybersecurity have also been tabled in the JSI on
e-commerce where negotiations are ongoing.
DATA GOVERNANCE
The growth of the global digital economy is fuelled by data. Discussions on how
provisions of WTO agreements apply to data flows are ongoing among WTO members.
In this context, is particularly relevant, as it applies to trade in services
such as (1) data transmission and data processing by any form of technology
(e.g. mobile or cloud technologies); (2) new ICT business models such as
infrastructure as a service (IaaS); (3) online distribution services e.g.
(e-commerce market platforms); and (4) financial services such as mobile
payments. The extent to which members can impose restrictions on data or
information flows affecting trade in services is determined by their GATS
schedules of commitments. Under the JSI, proposals on cross-border data flows
have been submitted and are being discussed. These proposals envision a general
rule establishing the free flow of data for commercial activities. Proposed
exceptions to this general rule are, to a large extent, similar to the existing
GATS General and Security Exceptions and relate to, for example, protection of
personal data, protection of legitimate public policy objectives, national
security interests, and exclusion of governmental data. Issues related to data
flows have also been raised by members in other contexts at the WTO, such as in
the Council for Trade in Services, for instance, when national cybersecurity
measures adopted have been considered by some members as trade barriers.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
The TRIPS Agreement is a key international instrument for the protection of IP
and is of relevance to e-commerce. The technologies that underpin the internet
and enable digital commerce such as software, routers, networks, switches, and
user interfaces are protected by IP. In addition, e-commerce transactions can
involve digital products with IP-protected content, such as e-books, software,
or blueprints for 3D-printing. As IP licences often regulate the usage rights
for such intangible digital products, the TRIPS Agreement and the international
IP Conventions provide much of the legal infrastructure for digital trade.
These conventions include:
* Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1967)
* Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic works (1971)
* International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of
Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (the Rome Convention) (1961)
* Treaty on Intellectual Property in Respect of Integrated Circuits (1989)
The role of IP in promoting innovation and trade in the digital age has been
highlighted in recent WTO World Trade Reports.
* WTR 2018 – The Future of World Trade – How Digital Technologies are
Transforming Global Commerce;
* WTR 2020 – Government Policies to Promote Innovation in the Digital Age.
IP-related issues are also being discussed in the JSI. Submitted proposals
include text on limiting requests to the access or transfer of source code. The
source code or the data analysis used in the operation of programmes or services
is often legally protected by IP law through copyright, patent, or trade secret
provisions. The main goal of the JSI proposals on access to source code is to
prevent members from requiring access or transfer of the source code owned by a
national of another member state as a condition for market access. Some
exceptions to this general prohibition have also been proposed. For example, for
software that is used for critical infrastructures and public procurement
transactions.
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
WTO agreements cover a broad spectrum of trade topics, including some related to
e-commerce, which has been on the WTO agenda since 1998 when the ministers
adopted the Declaration on Global Electronic Commerce. The Declaration
instructed the General Council to establish a Work Programme on electronic
commerce. In that Declaration, members also agreed to continue the practice of
not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions (the ’moratorium’). The
Work Programme provides a broad definition of e-commerce and instructs four WTO
bodies (Council for Trade in Goods; Council for Trade in Services; TRIPS
Council; and the Committee on Trade and Development) to explore the relationship
between WTO Agreements and e-commerce. The Work Programme and the moratorium on
customs duties on electronic transmissions have been periodically reviewed and
renewed. At its recently concluded 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June
2022, WTO members agreed to reinvigorate the Work Programme, particularly in
line with its development dimension, and to intensify discussions on the
moratorium, including on its scope, definition, and impact. Furthermore, members
agreed to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions
until MC13. WT/MIN(22)/32; WT/L/1143
At MC11 in 2017, a group of members issued the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI)
on E-Commerce to explore work towards future WTO negotiations on trade-related
aspects of e-commerce. Following the exploratory work, in January 2019, 76
members confirmed their ‘intention to commence WTO negotiations on trade-related
aspects of electronic commerce’ and to ‘achieve a high standard out- come that
builds on existing WTO agreements and frameworks with the participation of as
many WTO members as possible’. Negotiations are continuing among 90 members 90
Members as of end of October 2023: Albania; Argentina; Australia; Austria;
Bahrain, Kingdom of; Belgium; Benin; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Bulgaria;
Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Côte
D’Ivoire; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Ecuador; El Salvador;
Estonia; Finland; France; Gambia, Georgia; Germany; Greece; Guatemala;Honduras;
Hong Kong, China; Hungary; Iceland; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan;
Kazakhstan; Kenya; Korea, Republic of; Kuwait, the State of; Kyrgyz Republic;the
State of; Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania;
Luxembourg; Malaysia; Malta; Mauritius; Mexico; Moldova, Republic of; Mongolia;
Montenegro; Myanmar; Netherlands; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Nigeria; North
Macedonia; Norway; Oman; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Poland; Portugal;
Qatar; Romania; Russian Federation; Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of; Singapore; Slovak
Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory of
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; United Arab
Emirates; United Kingdom; United States; and Uruguay and are structured under
five broad themes, namely enabling e-commerce, openness and e-commerce, trust
and e-commerce, cross-cutting issues, and telecommunications. JSI participants
have reached a high degree of convergence on e-authentication and e-signatures,
e-contracts, open government data, online consumer protection, unsolicited
commercial electronic messages (spam), transparency, open internet access,
paperless trading, cybersecurity, electronic transactions frameworks,
e-invoicing and single windows. Negotiations on electronic transactions
frameworks, source code, cybersecurity, electronic invoicing, privacy,
telecommunications, and customs duties on electronic transmissions continue. On
the margins of the MC12, the co-convenors of the JSI (Australia, Japan, and
Singapore), issued a statement underlining the importance of developing global
rules on e-commerce and, together with Switzerland, launched the E-commerce
Capacity Building Framework to strengthen digital inclusion and to help
developing and least developed countries to harness the opportunities of digital
trade.
ACCESS THE ISSUE OF ARBITRATION IS REFERRED TO UNDER THE ISSUE OF ‘MARKET
ACCESS’ WITHIN THE WORK OF WTO.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT (ITA-I AND ITA-II)
The ITA-I was concluded by 29 participants in 1996. Through this agreement,
participating WTO members eliminated tariffs and other duties and charges (ODCs)
on hundreds of ICT products – including computers, laptops, servers, routers,
communication devices (i.e. mobile telephones), semiconductors, semiconductor
manufacturing equipment and parts thereof – to foster the development of ICT
global value chains and facilitate greater adoption of the ICT products that lie
at the core of a global digital economy and power the downstream innovative and
competitive capacity of every industry that deploys them. Currently, 83 WTO
members are participants in ITA-I, accounting for approximately 97% of world
trade in ITA-I products. As technology continues to evolve, ICT is found at the
core of an ever-increasing range of products. At the MC10 in Nairobi in 2015,
over 50 WTO members concluded ITA-II negotiations and agreed to expand the ITA
product coverage by around 200 products. ICT products such as GPS navigation
equipment, satellites, and medical equipment were included and tariffs on these
products have been eliminated among ITA-II participants. At present, the ITA-II
consists of 55 WTO members, representing over 90% of world trade in ITA-II
products. The ITA is being discussed in the JSI under the market access focus
group.
SOCIAL MEDIAL CHANNELS TEST TEST
Facebook @WorldTradeOrganization
Flickr @WorldTradeOrganization
Instagram @worldtradeorganization
Twitter @wto
YouTube @WorldTradeOrganization
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENEVA CENTRE FOR SECURITY POLICY
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: GCSP
Address: Chemin Eugene-Rigot 2D, CH - 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland
Website: https://gcsp.ch
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) is an international foundation
governed by a 54-member State Foundation Council serving a global community of
individuals and organisations. Our mission is to advance peace, security, and
international cooperation. We provide the knowledge, skills and network for 360°
effective and inclusive decision-making.
The GCSP believes that effective and forward-thinking leaders and organisations
need to build a broad picture of what is happening in an increasingly connected
world. We unravel the intricacies of geopolitics and help leaders develop new
skills and the agility to lead in times of tumultuous change. The GCSP creates
an inclusive environment for their global community from 174 nations and across
sectors who come together to exchange ideas and develop sustainable solutions
for a more peaceful future. Building Peace Together through Education, Dialogue,
Policy, Creativity and Community since 1995.
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
The GCSP provides analysis that covers several digital topics, including
cybersecurity and transformative technologies. Its executive education is
offered online and in blended formats. In response to COVID-19, the GCSP
launched a series of webinars titled Global Crisis, GlobalRisk and Global
Consequences.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
As part of its Transformative Technologies cluster, the GCSP looks at AI and
several ‘disruptive technologies’; the term refers to synthetic biology,
neuro-morphic chips, big data, quantum computing, 3D and 4D printing,
brain-computer interfaces, hypersonic technology, and cognitive enhancement. In
particular, the GCSP focuses on the dual-use character of these technologies,
their potential use in warfare and the future of warfare, and the existing legal
provisions among warfare and humanitarian rules in relation to such
technologies. Overall, activities as part of this cluster aim to alert
policymakers to both the challenges and opportunities associated with these
technologies. These aims are also reflected in associated educational
activities, such as the course on Transformative Technologies and the Future of
Geopolitics.
As part of its Global Risk and Resilience Cluster (GRRC), the GCSP has
positioned itself as a thought leader on risks at the nexus of geopolitics and
technology. To that purpose, it particularly monitors, analyses, and interprets
the impact that emerging technologies such as AI, synthetic biology,
neuroscience, quantum computing, and nanotechnologies will have on international
politics, geopolitics, warfare, and conflicts. In addition to identifying
emerging risks and future trends that will impact international security and
warfare, the GRRC also promotes new responses that can be brought to deal with
these emerging risks, notably through the concept of resilience.
* The Impact of Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence on Strategic Stability
* Perils of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems Proliferation: Preventing
Non-State Acquisition
* Geopolitical Leadership for Organisational Impact
* Looking at the Edge: Understanding the Frontiers of Geopolitical Risk
CYBERSECURITY
The GCSP tackles cybersecurity issues through education and training activities,
as well as policy analysis and events. It also provides a platform for dialogue
and exchanges on cyber challenges among cyber experts from the public, private,
and civil society sectors. The training and education activities cover areas
such as cybersecurity strategy formulation, international law relating to cyber
issues, cyber diplomacy, and broader capacity-building initiatives (e.g.
workshops and student challenges). Policy papers published by the GCSP focus on
the nature of cybersecurity, developing norms in the digital era, international
legal analyses, and developing holistic solutions. The flagship course is Cyber
Security in the Context of International Security; other bespoke courses cater
to public and governmental staff and private and non-governmental employees. The
GCSP’s flagship annual cybersecurity event is the Cyber 9/12 Strategy
Challenge. In partnership with the Atlantic Council, this strategy and policy
competition pits over 200 students from around the world in a strategy and
policy competition. Teams are judged by experts, high-level policymakers,
thought leaders from industry and the public sector (including NATO and the EU),
and government representatives. The challenge normally takes place at the GCSP
headquarters in Geneva, but in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022
competition took place entirely online.
* Podcast: The Battle for Cyberspace
* The World Health Organisation: The New Cyber Target During a Global Health
Crisis and What we can Learn
* Technology in the Time of COVID-19
* A Snapshot Analysis of the Crypto AG Revelations
* Going Digital Testimonials
* Why Cybersecurity Matters More than Ever During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
* The Increasing Importance of Hybrid Politics in Europe: Cyber Power is
Changing the Nature of Politics
* Spying in a Transparent World: Ethics and Intelligence in the 21st Century
* Why Should We Care about 3D-Printing and What are Potential Security
Implications?
* Cyber Jihad: Understanding and Countering Islamic State Propaganda
* Cybersecurity Challenges in the Middle East
* Cyber Security in the Context of International Security
* Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge 2022
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Many of the GCSP’s activities fall into the category of capacity development
activities. The GCSP offers courses and other educational and training
programmes related to the internet and digital policy, such as cybersecurity,
transformative technologies, and strategic foresight.
In addition to capacity building through its executive education programmes, the
GCSP leverages its considerable intellectual and networking resources (i.e. its
fellows and alumni) to engage with communities worldwide and foster trust
between regions. The GCSP’s cybersecurity dialogues aim to remove barriers to
communication and encourage the uptake of the opportunities today’s digital
landscape has to offer.
In partnership with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the
GCSP convenes a Track 1.5 dialogue process to ensure there is as much
communication as possible between parties who are often in conflict with one
another. This process provides a platform and a mechanism for the exchange of
ideas to build consensus on topics as diverse as international norms, agreement
on legal paradigms, and regional socio-economic development.
DIGITAL TOOLS
Several other events organised by the GCSP also have a capacity development
focus; one example is the annual Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, a student
competition in international cybersecurity strategy and policy. The challenge
was held entirely online in 2022 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In
addition, the publications produced by the organisation can help inform various
stakeholders about the challenges and concerns in the area of cyber governance.
* Cyber Security in the Context of International Security
* Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge 2022
* Global and Emerging Risks
* Geopolitics and Global Futures Symposium 2022
GCSP offers online courses, webinars, and an online dialogue series.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Facebook @thegcsp
Instagram @thegcsp
LinkedIn @thegcsp
Podcasts
X @TheGCSP
YouTube @Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: IGF
Established: 2006
Address: Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Website: https://www.intgovforum.org
Stakeholder group: International and regional organisations
The IGF provides the most comprehensive coverage of digital policy issues on the
global level. The IGF Secretariat in Geneva coordinates both the planning of IGF
annual meetings (working together with the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG)
and the wider IGF community) and a series of intersessional activities (run all
year long). These activities could be summarised in three ‘multi’ initiatives:
* Multistakeholder participation: It involves governments, business, civil
society, the technical community, academia, and other actors who affect or
are affected by digital policy This diversity is reflected in IGF processes,
events, and consultations.
* Multidisciplinary coverage: It relates to addressing policy issues from
technological, legal, security, human rights, economic, development, and
sociocultural perspectives. For example, data, as a governance issue, is
addressed from standardisation, e-commerce, privacy, and security
perspectives.
* Multilevel approach: It spans IGF deliberations from the local level to the
global level, through a network of over 165 national, subregional, and
regional IGF (as of November 2023). They provide context for discussions on
digital policy like the real-life impact of digitalisation on policy,
economic, social, and cultural fabric of local communities. The IGF
Secretariat supports such initiatives (which are independent) and coordinates
the participation of the overall network.
The IGF ecosystem converges around the annual IGF, which is attended by
thousands of participants. The last few IGFs include Paris (2018), Berlin
(2019), online edition due to the pandemic (2020), Katowice (2021), Addis Ababa
(2022), and Kyoto (2023), which engaged over 11,000 participants, and more than
1,000 speakers in over 300 sessions.
The intersessional work includes best practice forums (on issues such as
cybersecurity, local content, data and new technologies, and gender and access);
dynamic coalitions (on issues such as community connectivity, network
neutrality, accessibility and disability, and child safety online etc.); policy
networks (on AI, environment, meaningful access and Internet fragmentation); and
other projects such as Policy Options for Connecting and Enabling the Next
Billion(s) (which ran between 2015 and 2018) as well as a number of capacity
development activities.
IGF MANDATE
The IGF mandate was outlined in the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society of
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS, November 2005). It was
renewed for another 10 years by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 16 December
2015, (70/125).
The main functions of the IGF are specified in Article 72 of the Tunis Agenda.
The mandate of the Forum is to:
* Discuss public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance
in order to foster the sustainability, robustness, security, stability, and
development of the internet.
* Facilitate discourse between bodies dealing with different cross-cutting
international public policies regarding the internet and discuss issues that
do not fall within the scope of any existing body.
* Interface with appropriate inter-governmental organisations and other
institutions on matters under their purview.
* Facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, and in this
regard, make full use of the expertise of the academic, scientific, and
technical communities.
* Advise all stakeholders in proposing ways and means to accelerate the
availability and affordability of the Internet in the developing world.
* Strengthen and enhance the engagement of stakeholders in existing and/or
future internet governance mechanisms, particularly those from developing
countries.
* Identify emerging issues, bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies
and the general public, and where appropriate, make recommendations.
* Contribute to capacity building for internet governance in developing
countries, drawing on local sources of knowledge and expertise.
* Promote and assess, on an ongoing basis, the embodiment of WSIS principles in
internet governance processes.
* Discuss, inter alia, issues relating to critical internet resources.
* Help to find solutions to the issues arising from the use and misuse of the
internet, of particular concern to everyday users.
* Publish its proceedings.
In fulfilling its mandate, the Forum is institutionally supported by the UN
Secretariat for the Internet Governance Forum placed with the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Its working modalities also include MAG and
most recently the Leadership Panel, both appointed by the UN Secretary-General.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
Until 2019, IGF annual meetings used to host sessions tackling a wide range of
digital policy issues (for instance, IGF 2018 had eight themes: cybersecurity,
trust, and privacy; development, innovation, and economic issues; digital
inclusion and accessibility; human rights, gender, and youth; emerging
technologies; evolution of internet governance; media and content; and technical
and operational issues). In 2019, in an effort to bring more focus within the
IGF, the MAG decided (considering community input) to structure the IGF
programme around a limited number of tracks: security, safety, stability, and
resilience; data governance; and digital inclusion. This approach was kept for
IGF 2020, which saw four thematic tracks: data, environment, inclusion, and
trust. The thematic approach did not mean that the IGF saw some digital policy
issues as being less relevant than others, but rather that it encouraged
discussions at the intersection of multiple issues. The Geneva Internet Platform
(GIP) Digital Watch hybrid reporting (IGF 2023) illustrates this trend, showing
that the IGF discussed a wide range of policy issues (across all seven internet
governance baskets of issues) within the limited number of thematic tracks.
THE LEADERSHIP PANEL
In line with the IGF mandate and as recommended in the Secretary-General’s
Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, the UN Secretary-General established the IGF
Leadership Panel as a strategic, empowered, multistakeholder body, to address
urgent, strategic issues, and highlight Forum discussions and possible follow-up
actions to promote greater impact and dissemination of IGF discussions.
More specifically, the Panel provides strategic inputs and advice on the IGF;
promotes the IGF and its outputs; supports both high-level and at-large
stakeholder engagement in the IGF and IGF fundraising efforts; exchanges IGF
outputs with other stakeholders and relevant forums; and feeds input from these
decision-makers and forums to the IGF’s agenda-setting process, leveraging
relevant MAG expertise.
The 15-member Panel with ex-officios meet at least three times a year in person,
in addition to regular online meetings.
FUTURE OF MEETINGS
Since its first meeting in Athens (2006), the IGF has been a pioneer in online
deliberation and hybrid meetings. In addition to individual online
participation, the IGF has encouraged the development of a network of remote
hubs where participants meet locally while following online deliberations from
the global IGF. In this way the IGF has created a unique interplay between local
and global deliberations through the use of technology. For hybrid meetings
delivered in situ and online, the IGF developed the function of remote
moderator, who ensures that there is smooth interplay between online and in situ
discussions.
The 19th annual IGF meeting will be hosted by the Government of Saudi Arabia in
Riyadh in December 2024. The 2025 host is yet to be announced.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
Facebook @IGF – Internet Governance Forum
Flickr @IGF
Instagram @intgovforum
LinkedIn @intgovforum
X @intgovforum
YouTube @Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
* Post date March 1, 2022
Acronym: ITU, UIT
Established: 1865
Address: Place des Nations, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Website: https://www.itu.int
Stakeholder group: International and regional organisations
ITU is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communications
technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 member states
and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, research institutes, and
international organisations. Established nearly 160 years ago in 1865, ITU is
the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of
the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite
orbits, improving communications infrastructure in the developing world, and
establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a
vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge
wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, intelligent
transport systems, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based Earth
monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, internet, cable television
and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. For
more information, visit www.itu.int.
See also: Africa’s participation in the International Telecommunication Union
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
Some of ITU’s key areas of action include radiocommunication services (such as
satellite services, and fixed/mobile and broadcasting services), developing
telecommunications networks (including future networks), standardisation of
various areas and media related to telecommunications, and ensuring access to
bridge the digital divide and addressing challenges in ICT accessibility. ITU’s
work supports emerging technologies in fields such as 5G, artificial
intelligence (AI), Intelligent Transport Systems, disaster management,
agriculture, smart sustainable cities, and the internet of things (IoT); access
and digital inclusion; the accessibility of ICTs to persons with disabilities;
digital health; ICTs and climate change; cybersecurity; gender equality; and
child online protection, among others. These and many more ICT topics are
covered both within the framework of radiocommunication, standardisation, and
development work, through various projects, initiatives, and studies carried out
by the organisation.
DIGITAL POLICY ISSUES
TELECOMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Information and communication infrastructure development is one of ITU’s
priority areas. The organisation seeks to assist member states, sector members,
associates, and academia in the implementation and development of broadband
networks, wired (e.g. cable) and wireless technologies, international mobile
telecommunications (IMT), satellite communications, the IoT, and smart grids,
including next-generation networks, as well as in the provision of
telecommunications networks in rural areas.
ITU’s International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) have as an overall aim
the facilitation of global interconnection and interoperability of
telecommunication facilities. Through the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R),
ITU is involved in the global management of the radio frequency spectrum and
satellite orbits, used for telecommunications services, in line with the Radio
Regulations.
The international standards developed by ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization
Sector (ITU-T) enable the interconnection and interoperability of ICT networks,
devices, and services worldwide. It has 11 technical standardisation committees
called Study Groups (SGs), with mandates covering a wide range of digital
technologies:
* SG2 – Operational Aspects
* SG3 – Economic & Policy Issues
* SG5 – Environment, EMF & Circular Economy
* SG9 – Broadband Cable & TV
* SG11 – Protocols, Testing & Combating Counterfeiting
* SG12 – Performance, QoS & QoE
* SG13 – Future networks and emerging network technologies
* SG15 – Transport, Access & Home
* SG16 – Multimedia & Digital Technologies
* SG17 – Security
* SG20 – IoT, Smart Cities & Communities
The work on standards is complemented by short-term exploration/incubation ITU-T
Focus Groups (FGs) whose deliverables guide the ITU-T SGs in new areas of
standardisation work:
* ITU-T Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things
(IoT) for Digital Agriculture (FG- AI4A)
* ITU-T Focus Group on Artificial Intelligence for Health (FG-AI4H)
* ITU-T Focus Group on Environmental Efficiency for Artificial Intelligence and
other Emerging Technologies (FG-AI4EE)
* ITU-T Focus Group on Vehicular Multimedia (FG-VM)
* ITU-T Focus Group on AI for Autonomous and Assisted Driving (FG-AI4AD)
* ITU-T Focus Group on AI for Natural Disaster Management (FG-AI4NDM)
* ITU-T Focus Group on Autonomous Networks (FG- AN)
* ITU-T Focus Group on Testbeds Federations for IMT- 2020 and Beyond (FG-TBFxG)
Collaboration among various standards bodies is a high priority of ITU-T.
Various platforms were established to support coordination and collaboration on
various topics, for example:
* eCollaboration on Intelligent Transport SystemsCommunication Standards (CITS)
* Global Standards Collaboration (GSC)
* World Standards Cooperation (WSC)
* Digital Currency Global Initiative
* Financial Inclusion Global Initiative (FIGI) Symposium
* United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative
* Global Initiative on AI for Health (GI-AI4H)
The Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) establishes an enabling
environment and provides evidence-based policy-making through ICT indicators and
regulatory and economic metrics, and implements a host of telecommunications/ICT
projects.
In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, ITU-D launched the Global
Network Resiliency Platform (REG4COVID) to address the strain experienced by
telecommunication networks, which are vital to the health and safety of people.
The platform pools experiences and innovative policy and regulatory measures.
Discussions involving the World Bank, Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSMA), and the World Economic Forum identified how to bring together
communities to support ITU membership in their response to COVID-19. The
Speedboat Initiative issued a COVID-19 Crisis Response:
Digital Development Joint Action Plan and Call for Action to better leverage
digital technologies and infrastructure in support of citizens, governments, and
businesses during the pandemic.
Connect2Recover provides country-specific support to reinforce digital
infrastructures – using telework, e-commerce, remote learning, and telemedicine
to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to support recovery and preparedness for
potential future pandemics. ITU worked with the Government of Japan and the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this initiative. ITU/WHO Focus Group on AI for Health
worked on a standardised assessment framework for the evaluation of AI-based
methods for health, diagnosis, triage, or treatment decisions and in early 2020
it created an Ad-hoc Group on Digital Technologies for COVID-19 Health
Emergencies (AHG-DT4HE) to review the role of AI (and other digital
technologies) in combatting COVID-19 throughout an epidemic’s life cycle; it
also delivered guidance on digital technologies for COVID health emergency. The
Group also developed AI guidance specifically for health on ethics, regulatory
considerations, clinical evaluation, and data quality and continues work with
ITU, WHO, and WIPO on the Global Initiative on AI for Health.
The impact statement for the Telecommunications Development Bureau’s (BDT)
thematic priority on Network and Digital Infrastructure is ‘Reliable
connectivity to everyone’.
ITU-D SG1 also focuses on various aspects related to telecommunications
infrastructure, in particular, Question 1/1 on ‘Strategies and policies for the
deployment of broadband in developing countries’; Question 2/1 on
‘Strategies, policies, regulations, and methods of migration and adoption of
digital broadcasting and implementation of new services’; Question 4/1 on
‘Economic aspects of national telecommunications/ICTs’; Question 5/1 on
‘Telecommunications/ICTs for rural and remote areas’; Question 6/1 on ‘Consumer
information, protection and rights’; and Question 5/2 on ‘Adoption of
telecommunications/ICTs and improving digital skills’.
5G
ITU plays a key role in managing the radio spectrum and developing international
standards for 5G networks, devices, and services, within the framework of the
so-called IMT-2020 activities. ITU-R SGs together with the mobile broadband
industry and a wide range of stakeholders established the 5G standards.
The activities include the organisation of intergovernmental and
multistakeholder dialogues, and the development and implementation of standards
and regulations to ensure that 5G networks are secure, interoperable, and
operate without interference.
ITU-T is playing a similar convening role for the technologies and architectures
of non-radio elements of 5G systems. For example, ITU standards address 5G
transport, with Passive Optical Network (PON), Carrier Ethernet, and Optical
Transport Network (OTN), among the technologies standardised by ITU-T expected
to support 5G systems. ITU standards for 5G networking address topics
including network virtualisation, network orchestration and management, and
fixed-mobile convergence. ITU standards also address ML for 5G and future
networks, the environmental requirements of 5G, security and trust in 5G, and
the assessment of 5G quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE).
SATELLITE
ITU-R manages the coordination, notification, and recording of frequency
assignments for space systems, including their associated earth stations. Its
main role is to process and publish data and carry out the examination of
frequency assignment notices submitted by administrations towards their eventual
recording in the Master International Frequency Register.
ITU-R also develops and manages space-related assignment or allotment plans and
provides mechanisms for the development of new satellite services by determining
how to optimise the use of available and suitable orbital resources.
Currently, the rapid pace of satellite innovation is driving an increase in the
deployment of non-geostationary satellite systems (NGSO). With the availability
of launch vehicles capable of supporting multiple satellite launches,
mega-constellations consisting of hundreds to thousands of spacecraft are
becoming a popular solution for global telecommunications.
To this end, during the 2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19), ITU
established regulatory procedures for the deployment of NGSO systems, including
mega-constellations in low Earth orbit.
Regarding climate change, satellite data today is an indispensable input for
weather prediction models and forecast systems used to produce safety warnings
and other information in support of public and private decision-making.
ITU develops international standards contributing to the environmental
sustainability of the ICT sector, as well as other industry sectors applying
ICTs assembling technologies to increase efficiency and innovate their service
offer. The latest ITU standards in this domain address sustainable power-feeding
solutions for IMT-2020/5G networks, energy-efficient data centres capitalising
on big data and AI, and smart energy management for telecom base stations.
* Disruptive Technologies and Their Use in Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management, a 2019 report.
* Disruptive Technologies and Their Use in Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management, a 2019 report.
* Disruptive Technologies and Their Use in Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management, a 2019 report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTS NAVIGATION
← Newer Posts 1 … 5 6 7 8 Older Posts →
The Geneva Internet Platform is an initiative of the Swiss authorities (FDFA,
OFCOM) and the Canton of Geneva
Contact us Privacy policy Terms
Operated by
To the top ↑ Up ↑
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If
you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok