Seoul and New York., June 18, 2008 – Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Seoul Ministerial on the Future of the Internet Economy, an American business leader hailed the outcomes of the high-level meeting.
“Ministers have taken the important step to reaffirm the principles from the 1998 OECD Ottawa Ministerial that allowed a platform for electronic commerce to evolve into a platform for all aspects of life over the last ten years,” stated Peter M. Robinson, president and CEO of the United States Council for International Business, which represents American business views to the 30-nation OECD.
Mr. Robinson commended ministers for their commitment to establish and maintain policy frameworks that will promote a secure and trusted Internet-based environment, continued investment, and increasing competition in order to expand Internet access worldwide, increase innovation and user choice.
“The Seoul Declaration affirms a continued commitment on the part of governments towards further development of the global Internet economy,” he said. “Such frameworks are essential for the future Internet economy – in which business is a key driver of innovation and growth.”
Mr. Robinson also addressed the evolving and increasing role that business plays in the diffusion of information and communications technologies (ICT) as well as Internet policy. “Today, business continues to lead the way in the innovation and development of ever-more efficient and focused services, applications, content, devices and networks that allow more users to share in the benefits of the Internet, including in the development of innovative ICT solutions to address major global challenges such as climate change, health care and education,” he stated.
“In particular, we have heard many examples of creative developments that demonstrate the power of networked solutions and ICTs to drive significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the global economy. All stakeholders must continue to work together to promote continued innovation and growth of the Internet economy and bring its benefits to more of the world’s people.”
Tadahiro Asami, secretary general of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), encouraged governments to pay careful attention to the important, unique and beneficial role that the OECD can play as they work towards further implementation of the commitments made in the ministerial declaration.
“The OECD will continue to be instrumental in furthering the objectives of the Ottawa and Seoul ministerial conferences, in particular by producing neutral, fact-based economic reports that examine current market conditions and the impact of new developments and emerging technologies and by facilitating co-ordination and consistency of broad policy frameworks across member economies by providing a forum for dialogue, involving all stakeholders,” stated Mr. Asami.
BIAC and other business groups represented at the ministerial released a joint “vision paper” with projections of what the future development of the Internet would mean for society over the next decade. In its paper, the groups observed that convergence of voice, data, video and audio, coupled with new business and information models, has enabled innovation to thrive among established companies and new players alike, empowering consumers and enhancing opportunities for further growth and societal benefit.
According to the paper, further investment will be needed to provide adequate capacity, security and capabilities for future Internet-supported development and connectivity. Business will also work with stakeholders to develop market-driven technical standards that will enable the Internet’s ongoing expansion, it said.
To view the full vision paper, click here or visit www.uscib.org/docs/oecd_seoul_vision_paper.pdf.
The OECD seeks to promote growth through the coordination of economic and regulatory policies between its member nations. Founded in 1962 as an independent organization, BIAC is the officially recognized representative of the OECD business community. Its members are the major business organizations in the OECD member countries and a number of OECD observer countries. USCIB is BIAC’s affiliate in the United States and regularly fields American industry experts for BIAC and OECD activities.
USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes some 300 U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations, whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including BIAC, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org.
More on USCIB’s Information, Communications and Technology Committee
