​G7 ICT Mini​sters’ meeting highlights importance of NRENs and GÉANT


At the recent G7 ICT Ministers’ meeting held in Kagawa, Japan (the first such meeting the G7 group has held in nearly 20 years) strong and clear recognition was made of the importance of national research and education networks (NRENs) and of the global networking of the research and education community.  

The G7 ICT Ministers’ meeting is part of a series of meetings taking place across Japan in April and May. It brought together the ICT Ministers representing the G7 countries of USA, UK, Japan, France, Italy, Canada, and Germany; plus the European Union, addressing the themes of:

  • Innovation and economic growth
  • Unrestricted flow of information, and ensuring the safety and security in cyberspace
  • Contributing to the resolution of global issues
  • International understanding and international cooperation in the future

The outcome of the meeting was the issuing of a Joint Declaration signed by Vice President Ansip for the Digital Single Market on the European Commission that focused on three main areas: recognition of a digitally connected world; commitment to mutual goals; and the reaffirming of a multi-stakeholder model for governance issues facing the deployment, development and evolution of the global internet.

In particular, the Joint Declaration states: “We recognize the impo​​rtance of development, interconnection and utilization of national research and education networks as providing an open infrastructure for education, research and development purposes that also serve to enhance connectivity around the world.”

This recognition of the importance of NRENs and of the central role of GÉANT is welcomed. Together, GÉANT and our 38 NREN partners interconnect over 50 million users across 10,000 institutions throughout Europe, and connect Europe to an additional 60+ countries worldwide.

This networking of the community is vital to accelerating science, enriching education and driving innovation and the GÉANT community is extremely proud to be part of this.

To read all the information in the GÉANT press release