The São Paulo Declaration Declaration of the 5 th WITSA Global Policy Action and Trade Summit

Preamble Representatives from 30 countries Objective: –to consider effective public policies to deliver the promises of the Digital Age Observed: –significant progress made by governments in developing and implementing digital agendas – continuing economic, social and cultural transformations through ICT

Preamble (2) Observed: –Internet access must be developed through open and transparent governance; –investment in infrastructure and connectivity must continue, encouraged by a competitive and supportive business environment

Concerns Significant challenges to access. –Disclosures about information protection are encouraging governments to seek greater control, both of governance arrangements, and of information flowing across their jurisdictions. –Consequences: Risks of global fragmentation, and isolation Unilateral actions intended to “protect citizens” may cause harm, impose costs, and reduce technology access and choice

Concerns (2) A growing trend towards closed preferential trade agreements, which are a departure from multilateral trade liberalization arrangements A tendency towards less transparency in trade negotiations, with reduced meaningful stakeholder engagement

Calls to Action All governments, stakeholder organizations and business leaders must work constructively to ensure ICTs, and the benefits of their application, are available to all, and to avoid unilateral protective measures all nations to recommit to the WTO’s “most favoured nation” and “national treatment” principles, and to the rapid removal of trade barriers

Declaration We declare to remove barriers to trade and avoid any actions that may limit access by all the world’s people to the Internet, so that – respecting privacy and security principles – everyone can participate and receive its benefits, and thus deliver the promises of the Digital Age

See you at WCIT 2014