In an open letter to G20 ministers responsible for the digital economy, ICC proposes a set of policy interventions aimed at accelerating and strengthening the world’s collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The letter, signed by ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO, outlines immediate and long- policy priorities for policymakers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health and economic crisis, affecting the lives and livelihoods of workers, as well as the continued operations of businesses globally,” Mr Denton states.

“As the international community continues to respond to the pandemic, having the right policy settings in place to enable digital technologies to both tackle the crisis and build a more resilient global economy will prove essential.”

The five policy interventions outlined in the letter are:

• Devise long-term strategies to bridge the digital divide.
• Develop a robust global framework on cybersecurity.
• Advance data free flow with trust.
• Enable responsible, human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
• Maintain momentum on the Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce.

In addition, the letter calls upon the G20 to work in close partnership with business and civil society to address digital gaps and policy challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed.

“Only then will we be able to unlock the full potential of digital technologies as we look to rebuild the global economy,” the letter concludes.

Read the full text of the open letter.