In August 2022, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BDMV) published the Digital Strategy Germany. In this Digital Strategy, among other things, the Federal Government has set itself the goal of developing a strategy for Germany’s international digital policy. To pursue this goal, a broad-based consultation procedure with representatives from civil society, the research community and industry starts today under the lead responsibility of the BMDV.

Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport:

Free and secure internet can no longer be taken for granted. Therefore, it is all the more important that we as the Federal Government join forces with our partners to defend it and work on it. Moreover, we need internationally uniform standards that allow us to drive the digital transformation forward more quickly. To advance our digital policy goals, we are developing the International Digital Strategy. It will be the guideline for a strong and coherent international digital policy of the Federal Government. As a first step in the developing process, we are talking to stakeholders from civil society, the research community and industry. We want to know and consider their needs with regard to these important and groundbreaking issues.

On the occasion of today's kick-off meeting of the International Digital Policy Stakeholder Forum, the BMDV provided information on the plans for shaping the strategy and the further process. Joint guiding principles will ensure a coherent policy of the Federal Government, which will be implemented through the independent work of the ministries in their respective fields of responsibility.

At today’s online event, more than 250 registered participants from many different parts of society will have the opportunity to point out issues that should be taken into account when developing the Strategy for International Digital Policy.

The viewpoints of the various stakeholder groups are to help bring forward-looking, practical and urgent issues into the focus of Germany’s international digital policy. Further rounds of consultation will ensure that the strategy is based on strong technical expertise, guided by economic common sense and that it exemplifies and follows the principles of a people-centric digital transformation.

The BMDV will develop the International Digital Strategy on the basis of stakeholder feedback together with all ministries of the Federal Government. The Strategy is to be presented by the end of 2023.

The International Digital Policy Stakeholder Forum is organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the BMDV.

For more information, visit
https://www.digitalstrategie-deutschland.de/stakeholder-forum/ (German only).