Page 4 - The 4th Global Standards Symposium 2022 - Conclusions

Main Conclusions of GSS-20

World Standards Cooperation Update on Sustainable Digital Transformation for
the SDGs

The GSS-20,

Recognizing that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO), and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) play a leading role in
facilitating and harmonizing the global standardization efforts for sustainable digital transformation,

– Calls for continued collaboration between the international standards developing organizations
(SDOs) including ITU, IEC and ISO as well as other standard-setting entities such as ETSI, IEEE, IETF,
W3C, 3GPP (among others), to facilitate digital transformation.
– Works towards bridging the standardization gaps between developed and developing countries and
scaling up of technology rollouts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
– Urges the adoption of international standards as a key enabler for digital transformation,
recognizing that international standards can facilitate the ongoing digitalization of cities,
communities, industries and sectors by enhancing productivity, security, efficiency and by
promoting interoperability between platforms.

High-level dialogue on unlocking the full potential of digital transformation for the
SDGs, with international standards

The GSS-20,

Recalling that international standards play a vital role in unleashing the full potential of digital
transformation, attaining the SDGs and implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact and Paris Agreement,

– Provides a platform for discussions relating to concrete technological and digitalization guidance,
digital transformation in addressing existing global challenges, including inequality and the digital
divide. Emerging economies are particularly at risk of being left behind.
– Leverages standards developed by ITU and other SDOs (e.g. ISO, IEC, as well as other standard-
setting entities) to help to build a shared vision of digital transformation, one that is rooted in
universal values as contained in the SDGs. Such a scenario can be fostered by opening up the
standardization domain to various stakeholders by sectors or regions to ensure that different
perspectives and requirements are captured in the quest for digital transformation.
– Calls for ITU to play a key role together with ISO and IEC, and contribute actively, for instance, to the
Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) to achieve net-zero emission by 2050 and to
provide a decarbonization pathway for the telecommunication/ICT sector in response to a decision
by António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, to establish a group of experts to propose
clear standards to measure and analyse net-zero commitments from non-state actors.

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