Malta welcomes draft declaration on the digital economy

The Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business Chris Cardona said that Malta agrees with the adoption of the draft declaration on the digital economy, arguing that a shared commitment to the digital economy needs to be made and that we must recognize that we are living in a digital era which is continuously evolving.

“We must ensure that we recognize the importance of the digital economy as a tool for social and economic development and a creator of growth and jobs on both sides of the Mediterranean”, said Cardona.

Cardona’s statement came as he attended the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Meeting on the digital economy where he also declared that Malta welcomes the draft declaration presented to the ministers responsible for ICT and the digital economy.

The minister said that “Malta agrees with the actions proposed in the declaration in the areas of digital economy and internet governance as well as on the mechanisms to implement these actions.”

On the subject of the development of ICT solutions, Cardona said that this is essential to address the economic and societal challenges Malta is facing. “Such solutions should ideally not be developed unilaterally, but need to be accompanied by an exchange of good practices, at bilateral and regional levels, as well as developing interoperability solutions. Ongoing initiatives in the Mediterranean should be encouraged and supported in order to reap the benefits of the current boost in the Euro-Mediterranean region”.

Regarding internet governance, Cardona said that “Malta believes that governments, policymakers and regulators have a key stake and role in achieving an open, fully inclusive and reliable internet”. The minister added that all relevant factors need to be considered in a democratic and transparent process towards a strengthened multi-stakeholder model for internet governance.

“This is the only way we can preserve the internet as a fast engine for innovation to continue to spur economic and social development”, reiterated the minister.

France, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Palestine and Portugal, also participated during the meeting.