newsroom manda.co | ICN Technology Forum – the first international meeting for competition watchdogs to strengthen their digital performance

Bonn, 26 March 2024: Competition authorities from around the world sent experts from the fields of digital markets and technology to the first International Competition Network (ICN) Technology Forum in Washington, DC. The aim of the forum, organized by ICN on March 25 and 26, was to exchange experiences in order to further enhance the performance of competition authorities around the world in the areas of digitalization and technology.

The International Competition Network is a unique global forum that enables competition authorities from around the world to strengthen cooperation in competition law enforcement in an informal, project-oriented network. Since its founding in 2001, ICN's membership has grown to 140 competition bodies from around the world. The head of the Federal Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt, has chaired the ICN Steering Committee since 2013.

Andreas Mundt, Head of the Federal Cartel Office and President of ICN: “The ICN Technologists' Forum marks the beginning of a new chapter in international cooperation. Digital technology is advancing rapidly, especially thanks to megatrends such as artificial intelligence. We not only need to keep up with technology, we also need to be We are proactive to keep markets open. Competition authorities from around the world have gathered in this forum to discuss technological options to protect competition and consumers. Because we share the same goals and face the same challenges, the International Competition Network provides us with an excellent venue to exchange experiences and reaffirm our commitment to consistent competition law enforcement And more effective.

The forum was prepared by ICN Technology Group and hosted by the US Federal Trade Commission. The plan to hold the forum was developed as part of ICN's goal to build on existing expertise from authorities with the same mandate and best practices. The Federal Office on Cartels was represented by experts from the relevant departments.

• At the event, the authorities issued a joint statement in which they acknowledged the need to strengthen the following areas:
• The performance of the authorities in relation to the increasing digital transformation of the economy,
• Efforts to enforce competition law by improving technological capabilities and expertise
• International cooperation between authorities at the level of technology experts.

The joint statement can be viewed on the ICN website (in English).