Mr/Ms. Chair: 

Dear Secretary General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

First of all, I would like to thank the ITU for organizing and running the WTPF. This forum is an excellent opportunity for exchanging views and information and thereby creating a shared vision among decision makers worldwide. 

My thanks also go to the Informal Experts Group, headed by Italy, Fabio Bigi, which developed the draft opinions as the basis for the forum’s content. 

In view of the shortness of the time available, I would like to refer only to one of the draft opinions, namely opinion five, “: the use of telecommunications / ICTs in COVID-19 and future pandemic and epidemic preparedness and response”, which explicitly refers to the necessity to take an active role in developing and disseminating standards, guidelines and best practices thereby in cooperation with other stakeholders. The goal is the use of telecommunications/ICTs in response to the COVID-19 and future pandemics“.   

We very much welcome the effort. Certainly, the ITU has to take an active role here.  

However, what does it mean, taking an active role? I would suggest the meaning should be two-fold:  

First of course content-wise, and I think this is self-understanding.  

Second as in cooperation with other organizations, which could also mean supporting existing, proven solutions and developing them further. Duplication of work should be avoided. Since the topic at hand is of overwhelming global relevance. 

So, my delegation recommends to jointly work with WHO and other UN organizations and stakeholders, sectors related to telecommunications/ICTs and of course with the private sector, in this case represented by other international standard setting institutions but also with relevant companies at the forefront in the fight against the pandemics. 

In order to achieve the best and multi-focused set of standards and guidelines. 

In order to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 as well as future pandemics and epidemics. 

The ITU has an excellent technical reputation. Which qualifies to show leadership. The outstanding expertise of the experts from all over the world in the study groups is unique. Like no other international body of states and governments with all its contributers from the private sector and science, the ITU can advance the international standardization of communication technologies.  

Let us consider together how we could also include small and medium-sized companies and their innovative strength in this process. 

As you know, Germany has presented our own candidate for the ITU-T Director’s position in 2022 and does apply again for the council. Thus, we are very much looking forward to continue and even extend our contributing to ITU’s work.  

Looking forward to seeing you on the occasion of the first on-site event somewhen in 2022.  

Thank you to all of you!