Thank you for giving me the floor Ms Co-facilitator.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

Digital commons refers to the collective creation and shared ownership of information and knowledge resources within a community. These include, among others, open-source software, open data, open standards, open AI libraries, and open content.

By their open and distributed nature, digital commons have the potential to bridge geographical divisions and act as accelerators of the Sustainable Development Goals. The benefits derived can be substantial, leading to reduced costs, increased transparency, development of local skills and enhanced digital autonomy. The EU therefore believes digital commons should be recognised as a global public good, in line with core principles and key commitments that promote openness, trustworthiness, human rights and inclusivity. Digital commons must remain relevant, safe, and sustainable.

To uphold the core principles and standards for digital commons, the EU has committed to several key actions and is leading several funding and legislative programs that nurture digital commons, such as:

• Encouraging contributions to digital commons through public funding at national, regional, and global levels;
• Facilitating global cooperation and ensuring the interoperability of digital commons based on globally agreed standards;
• Implementing various funding and legislative programmes that nurture digital commons, including the Next Generation Internet initiative, the European Commission-led programme providing funding for open-source software and hardware to more than 1000 grass-roots projects covering all layers of the Internet, including applications, networks and cloud;
• Actively contributing to the creation of data commons, including the Open Data Directive stimulating open government data and open access for research data and the Data Governance Act that aims to reinforce trust in data sharing and promote data free flow with trust.

We propose that the GDC should focus on the following key principles:

• Enhancing shared and multi- stakeholder governance of digital commons;
• Promoting open and trusted technologies that prioritize transparency, privacy protection, user control, and choice through interoperable and standardized commons;
• Enabling open data and empowering actors, including the public, to utilize data and leverage data for innovation for sustainable development.
• Encourage countries to invest in inclusive and sustainable public digital infrastructure, building on open standards and specifications, while acknowledging that countries may wish to choose between open-source or open-standards-based software, as context appropriate.

The UN's Roadmap for digital cooperation is aligned with the EU efforts to create an open, inclusive, equal, safe and secure digital environment through the Global Gateway. Through the projects implemented under the umbrella of the Global Gateway, the EU encourages the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices related to digital commons. It emphasizes the importance of open standards, interoperability, and accessibility, ensuring that digital commons can be easily shared and utilized across borders. The EU seeks to facilitate the growth of digital commons, enabling their widespread adoption and fostering innovation and inclusive development on a global scale.

Similarly, the EU supports initiatives such as collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Development Programme to promote digital commons and digital public infrastructure and the work of the Digital Public Good Alliance.

We remain committed to promoting digital commons as a global public good by upholding core principles and implementing key actions. To this end, cooperation, inclusivity, and transparency are key to ensure the responsible and sustainable management of digital commons for the benefit of all. By working together, we can foster a digital future that empowers individuals, stimulates innovation, and supports the achievement of the SDGs.

Thank you.