AGENDA ITEM 5: TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES

UPDATE BY ANSI ON ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE WORK OF THE

TBT COMMITTEE GLOBAL ICT AND CET STANDARDS PROGRAM

This document contains information provided by the United States at the TBT Committee meeting of 12‑14 November 2025 under Agenda Item 5.

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1.1.  In support of the United States' continued commitment to technical cooperation, we would call Members' attention to a new program launched in 2024. The Global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Standards (GICS) Program is a cooperative agreement between the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the US Department of State Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP). This three-year program focuses on capacity building for allied countries. It aims at enabling their stronger participation in international standards development, as well as a better implementation of international standards in the ICT and CET sectors in these regions. The program covers an array of countries in six geographical regions, including South and Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe.

1.2.  The GICS aims to support an international standards development process grounded in transparency, private sector leadership and public sector support, and broad technical participation; enhance participation in related standards activities; and assist countries in adopting international standards.

1.3.  Through a two-tiered capacity building approach with in-person workshops held regionally and a global alumni network for follow-on activities, this program's engagement with stakeholders such as national standards bodies and private sector technical experts within and across regions will serve as a nexus point in regional and international relationship building, developing and maintaining an interconnected cohort to strengthen cooperation in standardization with the U.S. and other partner countries.

1.4.  The inaugural training workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) standards under the Global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Critical and Emerging Technology (CET) Standards (GICS) Program was held from 22 to 25 September 2025 in Panama City, Panama. The recent workshop, Broad-Based Foundational Training on International AI Standardization for Latin America​, was designed to help participants develop necessary skills and deepen their understanding of national, regional, and international standards development processes for AI. This three-day workshop brought together over 40 technical experts, academics, policy makers, and standards developers from eight countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

1.5.  Future trainings will be organized in the remaining regions of focus, including both broad-based foundational training and advanced capacity building.

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