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Analytical Studies
G7/G8 Digital Economy Meetings | Road to the 2023 Hiroshima Summit

G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Statement on Operationalisation of Data Free Flow with Trust

December 1, 2023
[pdf]

We, the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers, and the OECD met virtually on December 1st, 2023 to further our discussion on operationalising Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) with a view to facilitating cross border data flows as follows.

1. We reaffirm our intention to operationalise DFFT and our support for cooperation within the G7 and beyond to work towards identifying commonalities, complementarities and elements of convergence between existing regulatory approaches and instruments enabling data to flow with trust, in order to foster future interoperability such as through supporting multi-stakeholder engagement, leveraging the role of technologies, and clarifying domestic and municipal policies and due processes.

2. In this regard, based on the G7 Hiroshima Leaders' Communiqué, the 2023 G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Declaration and the outcomes of the previous G7 presidencies, we have continued to work together on establishing an Institutional Arrangement for Partnership (IAP) and materialize our vision and priorities set out under the "G7 Vision for Operationalising DFFT and its Priorities" adopted at the 2023 G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' meeting in Takasaki as is documented under the Annex ('Concept Paper on Establishing the Institutional Arrangement for Partnership on Data Free Flow with Trust and Note on G7 Expectation") to this statement.

3. We reaffirm that our endorsement of establishing the IAP draws upon our recognition that there are potential gaps in international governance to operationalise DFFT in particular due to its cross-sectoral nature. In responding to this, we envisage that the IAP will bring together governments and stakeholders and the broader multidisciplinary community of data governance experts, including the relevant data protection authorities, to operationalise DFFT and to cooperate on facilitating cross-border flows of personal and non-personal data under the banner of DFFT, including by putting forward pragmatic solutions.

4. We call on the IAP to:

   • build upon the vision outlined in this statement as well as in the Annex
   • launch initial projects quickly and deliver tangible progress
   • collaborate with other international and regional organisations and initiatives contributing to fostering cross border data flows and DFFT in terms of broadening expertise and inclusiveness of participants as relevant to delivering those priorities under DFFT
   • regularly update and exchange on its progress, next steps, and priorities, and collaborate with the G7 in subsequent meetings upon invitation to support our collective efforts to operationalise DFFT.

5. We reaffirm our view that the OECD is well suited to advance this international effort. We welcome current discussions at the OECD to establish the IAP as part of the on-going work on data governance and data flows building upon its existing expertise. We continue to support and explore institutionalization of the IAP at the OECD to deliver on our shared vision to operationalise DFFT. In this regard, we look forward to Japan's chairmanship at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in 2024.

6. We welcome the 2024 Italian G7 Presidency's intention to develop its agenda, in continuity with the results of the discussion on DFFT and the proposal for the IAP put in place under the Japanese G7 Presidency.

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Source: Digital Agency, Japan

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