Ottawa Declaration on Authentication for Electronic Commerce

Overview
The Ottawa Declaration on Authentication for Electronic Commerce, adopted by Ministers at the Ottawa Ministerial Conference on October 7,9 1998, recognized the importance of authentication for electronic commerce. It outlined a number of actions to promote the development and use of electronic authentication technologies and mechanisms, including continuing work at the international level, together with business, industry and user representatives.

Stated intentions
In the Declaration, the Ministers declared their intention to:


 * Take a non-discriminatory approach to electronic authentication from other countries.
 * Encourage efforts to develop authentication technologies and mechanisms, and facilitate the use of those technologies and mechanisms for electronic commerce.
 * Amend, where appropriate, technology or media-specific requirements in current laws or policies that may impede the use of information and communication technologies and electronic authentication mechanisms, giving favorable consideration to the relevant provisions of the Model Law on Electronic Commerce adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in 1996.
 * Proceed with the application of electronic authentication technologies to enhance the delivery of government services and programs to the public.
 * Continue work at international level, together with business, industry and user representatives, on authentication technologies and mechanisms to facilitate global electronic commerce.