Press
Release ECE/TRADE/00/1
Geneva, 24 March 2000
ITU joins MoU on
electronic business
in support of e-commerce
Jointly issued with the ISO, IEC and
UN/ECE
The International Telecommunication
Union signed today a Memorandum of Understanding on electronic
business, joining three leading international standards-setting organizations already
party to the MoU, namely the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). In addition to the four signatories, CALS International and NATO CALS participate in implementation of the MoU as registered
international user groups.
"The purpose of the MoU is to
minimize the risk of divergent and competitive approaches to standardization, avoid
duplication of efforts and avoid confusion amongst users" said Houlin Zhao, Director
of ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau when signing the agreement on behalf of
the ITU. "The MoU will also provide greater intersectoral coherence in the field of
electronic business, an important step considering the uptake of e-commerce" Zhao
added.
Mr. Yves Berthelot, Executive Secretary of
the UN/ECE, stressed that the participation of ITU is essential to secure the
interoperability required by the network economy. He further added, "When countries
adopt international standards and harmonize their technical regulations worldwide,
everybody stands to gain. Moreover, the development of technical instruments shared by all
countries facilitates and strengthens their involvement in harmonious economic relations.
This vital role of international standards as the technical foundation for the global
market is explicitly recognized by the World Trade Organization".
The MoU establishes a coordination
mechanism under a unique cooperative model to produce mutually supportive standards
required in business transactions (data interchange and interoperability) as well as
products design and manufacturing to meet the urgent needs of both the industry and the
end users. Electronic business covers the information definition and exchange requirements
within and between enterprises, including customers. Given that it provides the vital
framework for e-commerce, it is intended that this MoU will support this rapidly changing
and fast growing business sector.
ISO Secretary-General, Dr. Lawrence D.
Eicher, commented: "This MoU is an excellent practical example of greater partnership
between the governmental and private sectors. It lays the foundation for a healthy future
development of e-commerce to the benefit of all stakeholders."
Under the MoU, the four organizations
undertake to review their standardization activities and develop a joint, coordinated
programme for standards development and publication which will benefit the marketplace.
The MoU is open to other international,
regional, governmental, industry and consumer organizations whose core mission involves
standards-setting.
For more information, please contact:
| Ms. Sophie
Clivio |
Mr. Gabriel
Barta |
Mr. Georges
Sebek |
Mr. Jean Kubler |
| Technical
Programme Manager |
Head of
Technical Coordination |
Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau |
Trade Division
Economic Commission for Europe |
| ISO |
IEC |
ITU |
UN/ECE |
| Tel: +41 22 749
7284 |
Tel: +41 22 919
0283 |
Tel: +41 22 730
5994 |
Tel: +41 22 917
2774 |
| Fax: +41 22 749
7349 |
Fax: +41 22 919
0300 |
Fax: +41 22 730
5853 |
Fax: +41 22 917
0037 |
| E-mail: [email protected] |
E-mail : [email protected] |
E-mail: [email protected] |
E-mail: [email protected] |