Representatives from digital markets and technologist teams gathered in Washington, D.C., to take part in the first International Competition Network (ICN) Technologist Forum. The forum, which was held from 25 to 26 March, was organized to share experiences and further promote the digital and technology capacities of competition agencies around the world.

The ICN is a unique global body which offers competition authorities an informal, project-oriented network to enhance their cooperation in matters of competition law enforcement. Since its foundation in 2001, the ICN has grown to include 140 competition authorities around the world. Andreas Mundt, the President of the Bundeskartellamt, has chaired the ICN’s Steering Group since 2013.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt and ICN Chair: “The ICN Technologist Forum marks a new chapter of international cooperation. Digital technology is progressing rapidly, especially due to megatrends like AI. Not only do we have to keep pace with technology, we also have to proactively keep markets open. Agencies from around the globe came together in the forum to discuss technological capacities to protect competition and consumers. As we share common goals and face the same challenges, the ICN is an excellent place for us to learn from each other and reaffirm our commitment to consistent and even more effective competition law enforcement in the future.”

The forum was organized by the ICN’s technologist group and hosted by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. The plan to organize this forum was part of the ICN’s mission to draw on the existing knowledge and best practices of government agencies who share a common mandate. The Bundeskartellamt was represented by experts from its dedicated technology teams.

During the event, the agencies released a joint statement in which they recognize the needs to

• strengthen capacity due to the increasing digital transformation of the economy,
• strengthen enforcement efforts through increased technology capacity and expertise and
• strengthen international agency cooperation at the level of technology experts.

 The joint statement can be accessed on the ICN’s website.