GCOT is an informal multilateral grouping that works to ensure telecommunications infrastructure is built on a foundation of security, resilience and global cooperation. The participation of the EU will increase the expertise and contributions in GCOT towards meeting shared goals of international consensus, global dialogue and innovation in the telecommunications domain.
The GCOT members are Australia, Canada, Finland, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. As a strategic partner, the European Union will participate in GCOT discussions at different levels, contribute to specific workstreams led by GCOT member governments and endorse publications and initiatives on a voluntary basis.
Telecommunication is a key policy area for EU competitiveness, security and innovation policy. The next generation of networks is taking shape rapidly, with the integration of AI, cloud, sensing capabilities or satellite networks. International cooperation is key to achieve EU policy objectives in this domain, such as the diversification of supply chains, security and resilience, sustainability and the development of future technologies including 6G. As a leader in connectivity technologies, the EU will reinforce GCOT and profit from information sharing, dialogue and cooperation.
The Commission has participated in its first GCOT meeting on May 4 in Ottawa, Canada.