Executive Order Commits U.S. to IEEE-Supported Global Connect Initiative

In conjunction with his appearance on 24 June at a Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Silicon Valley, President Obama issued an Executive Order designed to institutionalize the White House Global Connect Initiative.

The order calls on the State Department “in coordination with other agencies, multilateral institutions, foreign countries, and stakeholders, [to] work to actively promote global Internet connectivity. Specifically, the Global Connect Initiative shall focus on encouraging foreign countries to prioritize Internet connectivity in development plans, promoting the formation of region-specific multi-sector working groups to ensure technical and regulatory best practices, and encouraging the development of digital literacy programs in developing nations.”  IEEE and its Internet Initiative is a partner and supporter of the U.S. Global Connect Initiative.