Today topics are becoming more and more overlapping in all kinds of international standardization organizations. Digitalization and mobile communication networks influence our daily lives and have changed business and trade significantly.

Dr. Thomas Zielke had the chance to moderate the “Digital Affairs Roundtable” by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on 30 August 2022. The roundtable focused on key issues in international standardization and how ITU-T can address them.

Together with stakeholders, among them representatives from Argentina, Brazil and Morocco, he discussed the 5G and 6G standard, structures and procedures as well as further key topics the ITU should focus on. The discussion moreover focused on the needs of developing countries and the role of ITU member states and sector-members.

Zielke exchanged views with the participants, discussed the opportunities and challenges of the ITU beyond 2022 and his vision of Germany's involvement within the organization.

The roundtable discussion was a great opportunity to reflect on what are the most pressing and rewarding issues in international standardization and how ITU can address them in the future.

Special thanks go to Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Director of the Multilateral Dialogue Geneva, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.