The emergence of new players and the increased importance of digitalisation and online trade are rapidly changing the postal sector and bringing major challenges to postal service providers. In order to continue to provide high-quality services, postal service providers need to react and adjust to the new circumstances. This makes international coordination all the more important to prepare the postal sector for the future and to continue to guarantee a global postal network.
The telecommunications sector is globally networked and internationally oriented accordingly. The rapid development of technical innovations, the globalisation of markets and worldwide liberalisation and privatisation efforts make access to cross-border electronic communications networks and services indispensable in order to ensure international competitiveness and the attractiveness of Switzerland as a business location. The access of the Swiss population and economy to diverse, inexpensive, high-quality telecommunication services, both at national and international level, is only possible by taking into account the international environment.
Free and independent media form the basis of democratic societies and are an integral element of global security and prosperity. Globalisation and digitalisation have also become an indispensable part of today’s media landscape. The rapid online dissemination of information across national borders, the possibility for individuals to publicly express and promulgate their opinions, and the increasing attacks on press freedom and the integrity of journalists pose new challenges for international media policy. The data-based personalisation of media services, changing user behaviour and the loss of revenues by information producers to news intermediaries require fresh ideas for financing independent quality journalism. Phenomena such as misinformation, disinformation and online hate speech raise new questions, particularly on regulating news intermediaries.
The increasing importance of digital technologies and the emergence of new, global actors pose fresh challenges to international regulatory frameworks and multilateral diplomacy. For this reason, the process of establishing digital governance - i.e. defining the "rules of the game" for using and developing the internet and the digital world - is the subject of intensive debate.
The development and application of artificial intelligence has continued to move ahead in recent years. As a basic technology, artificial intelligence and the associated use of data are a key component of the ongoing digitalisation process. Offering considerable potential for innovation and growth, artificial intelligence is already being successfully applied in many different areas. At the same time, it is important to address the risks associated with the technology and to take measures at the appropriate time.
