Vint Cerf, founder of the Internet Society, Closing ceremony, 18th June on behalf of the Internet technical community
Mr. Chairman, Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
It is a great honor for me to represent today the Internet technical community in the Closing Ceremony of the ministerial. The Internet technical community was actively engaged in the preparation of this conference, and fully committed to its success. Coordinated by the Internet Society, the participating organizations from this community come from a wide range of entities around the world. As diverse as the participating technical organizations are in nature, they are also motivated by a common vision of an open and accessible Internet that brings economic and social benefits to all the world’s users, consumers and citizens.
During the past year, the Internet technical community has worked very hard with the OECD on the preparation of this ministerial. It has shaped a formal contribution to the ministers’ work, a Memorandum that attests to our willingness to join efforts with all stakeholders to achieve the fullest benefits of the Internet for all participants in the global economy. By this Memorandum, the Internet technical community calls upon governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals to work together to ensure that the human capacities that are enhanced or enabled by the Internet are preserved. Moreover, by this Memorandum, we commit ourselves to pursue our collaborative work with all governments and other stakeholders of OECD and non-OECD countries alike to enhance confidence, ensure security, and encourage innovation and interoperability at a global level.
It is in this spirit of collaboration only that we believe the Future of the Internet economy can guarantee economic growth and social progress for citizens around the world. Enhancing confidence, spurring innovation, encouraging interoperability: today’s challenges can only be dealt with the historical principle of the Internet, its essence and also the key of its success: collaboration.
I thank you for your attention.