WASHINGTON –  May 8, 2020 –  The Global Data Alliance welcomes the Statement on COVID-19 by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade, including the Ministers’ recognition of the importance of “[h]arnessing the opportunities of the digital economy and technologies, through utilisation of smart working solutions that enable seamless international business and cross border trade.” The Global Data Alliance also applauds the Ministers’ commitment to “strengthen APEC’s digital agenda, including electronic commerce and related services, with fresh perspectives and innovative means to navigate these new realities together.”

APEC’s digital agenda is more important today than ever. In many regions economies and sectors, connectivity and cross-border access to remote working, health, and learning technologies are helping mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future economic renewal. We encourage APEC economies to strengthen their cooperation under the APEC digital agenda to foster cross-border connectivity to help respond to the extraordinary health and economic challenges of this time.

About the Global Data Alliance

The Global Data Alliance (globaldataalliance.org) is a cross-industry coalition of companies that are committed to high standards of data responsibility and that rely on the ability to transfer data around the world to innovate and create jobs. The Alliance supports policies that help instill trust in the digital economy while safeguarding the ability to transfer data across borders and refraining from imposing data localization requirements that restrict trade.

Alliance members include BSA members and American Express, Amgen, AT&T, ITB360, Mastercard, Panasonic, United Airlines, Verizon, Visa, and WD-40 Company. These companies are headquartered across the globe and are active in the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, electronics, energy, financial services, health, supply chain, and telecommunications sectors, among others. BSA | The Software Alliance administers the Global Data Alliance.