WITSA signs multi-association letter to make concrete policy recommendations to the G20 to drive the global digital recovery

MEDIA RELEASEMay 17, 2021Contact:Ms. Angela Mondou, WITSA Policy Chair: +1 (519) 589-4039 E: amondou@technationcanada.caMr. Anders Halvorsen: +1 571 265-5964 E: ahalvorsden@witsa.orgFairfax, VA: The World Information Technology and Services (WITSA) today co-signed a letter addressed to G20 governments. As we look ahead to this year’s G20 Summit in October, WITSA and our partners in the global digital and technology industries wish to emphasize the need to harness digital transformation to drive recovery and build resilience into the world economy WITSA and ten other leading international digital associations have put forward the following concrete policy proposals:

• Avoid digital protectionism or imposing barriers to trade in recovery planning and economic stimulus packages;

• Ensure that regulatory approaches impacting digital services, technologies and infrastructure are non-discriminatory;

• Invest in strengthening the resilience of global value chains;

• Commit to facilitating the free flow of data that recognizes the need for interoperability of regimes across borders and refraining from imposing damaging data localization requirements;

• Follow the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) principles;

• Support multilateral efforts at the OECD to establish a set of common practices and legal processes for ensuring trusted law enforcement; and

• Establish common approaches to the regulation of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI).

The signed letter can be found here. About WITSA: The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is the leading recognized international voice of the global ICT industry, whose members from over 80 countries and economies represent more than 90 percent of the world ICT market. WITSA is dedicated to advocating policies that advance industry growth and development; facilitating international trade and investment in ICT products and services; strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations; and providing members with a broad network of professional contacts.WITSA members are leaders in a globally interconnected marketplace. Because the challenges facing the ICT industry are undisputedly global in nature, WITSA members work together to achieve a shared vision on important issues of common interest. WITSA makes it possible for its members — ranging from Mongolia and Argentina to Kenya and the United States — to identify common issues and priorities, exchange valuable information, and present a united position on industry issues. For more information on WITSA, please visit www.witsa.org