54 countries outline support for human-centric approach at the core of standardisation and connectivity
54 countries at the ITU conference advocate for human rights-centered standardization and connectivity. They highlight the importance of a human-centric approach throughout the technology life cycle. Countries urge ITU to collaborate with other organizations in creating international standards aligned with human rights frameworks, enhance transparency, and facilitate engagement with organizations focusing on telecommunications and human rights. Signatories include 27 EU member states, Australia, Canada, Ghana, Switzerland, and more.
In a joint statement delivered during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference, 54 countries endeavoured to promote ‘a human rights-based approach to the whole life cycle of telecommunication/ICT technologies – including design, development, deployment, use, and disposal – as part of a human-centric vision of the digital transformation, including in international standard-setting processes’. The countries encouraged the ITU to work with other standard development organisations to develop international technical standards consistent with existing international frameworks on human rights and fundamental freedoms. It also called on the organisation to intensify efforts to make its procedures more transparent and accessible, especially to organisations active on human rights aspects of telecommunications/ICTs.
Among the signatory countries were the 27 EU member states, Australia, Canada, Ghana, Chile, Japan, Rwanda, Switzerland, the UK, and others.