Page 3 - The 5th Global Standards Symposium - Conclusions

Main Conclusions of GSS-24

World Standards Day update on advancing the voluntary, consensus-based
international standards system

The GSS-24,

Recognizing that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), along with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) play leading
roles in advancing the voluntary consensus-based international standards system,

- Calls for continued collaboration among the international standards development organizations
(SDOs), including ITU, IEC and ISO, as well as others, to continue to shape the landscape of
emerging digital technologies.
- Calls for continued efforts towards bridging the standardization gap between developed and
developing countries, through initiatives like the ITU Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG)
programme, to facilitate the scaling up of emerging digital technologies, and increased
participation of developing countries in standardization.

- Urges international standards that ensure transparency, interoperability, security, accessibility
and sustainability, emphasizes the role of international consensus-based standards in tackling
the global challenges, and encourages the uptake of international standards to further lower the
technical barriers to trade.
- Emphasizes the role of international standards in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) and innovation curricula, highlighting how standards support technological
development and innovation by ensuring interoperability, safety, security and quality across the
digital landscape.

- Urges the building of capacity among key stakeholders in developing countries and the targeting
of capacity-building initiatives for policymakers, industry leaders and workforces in least
developed countries (LDC) and developing countries. Focusing on these groups is essential for
empowering them with the knowledge and skills required to navigate, contribute to and shape
the future of, emerging digital technologies effectively.
- Highlights the role of international standards developed through broad participation and
consensus-building, underscoring their ability to drive technological advancements, influence
policy frameworks and facilitate the sharing of best practices. Moreover, standards built taking
into account wider perspectives are more likely to truly address the necessities of the diverse
community who will employ them in practice.

- Stresses the importance of capacity building in standards as part of the innovation
curriculum/ecosystem.