innovation and creativity, support research and knowledge sharing, enhance trade
and e-commerce, enable the development of new businesses and services, and
increase people's welfare through policies, grounded in respect for human rights
and the rule of law, and reinforce the Internet’s openness, in particular its
distributed and interconnected nature, while respecting applicable frameworks for
privacy and data protection, and strengthening digital security.
iii. Supporting a multi-stakeholder approach
11. We reaffirm our commitment to a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet
governance, which includes full and active participation by governments, private
sector, civil society, the technical community, and international organizations,
among others. We will continue to prioritize multi-stakeholder inclusion in our
domestic policy making processes where appropriate and support multi-stakeholder
processes and initiatives internationally which are inclusive, transparent and
accountable to all stakeholders in achieving the digitally connected world.
iv. Strengthening digital connectivity and inclusiveness for all
12. The benefits of the digitally connected world depend on increased connectivity of
people and objects. Digital connectivity flourishes in supportive, enabling policy
and regulatory environments that provide transparent and predictable legal and
policy frameworks. This incentivizes investments in local infrastructure and
applications which enhance connectivity and promote the use of ICTs in the
development of local content, and cultural and linguistic diversity.
G7 ICT Strategy
13. Based on the foregoing principles, we support the following strategies to realize the
potential of the digitally connected world.
i. Promoting access to ICT
14. We should promote affordable and high quality access to global communications
networks, digital skills development and digital adoption for all people by working
to:
(a) bridge digital divides;
(b) improve the quality and affordability of ICT infrastructure, products and
services globally, through investment and fair and transparent policy and legal
frameworks that encourage competition;
3