CSN Annual Meeting 2023
· Participation in-person: 64 attendees representing 26 Nations, plus three regional organisations (ARSO, CROSQ, PACER). Online participation TBC, online recording will also be available.
· Scott Steedman (BSI DG- Standards) and Raymond Murenzi (Rwanda Standards Board DG) opened and chaired the meeting;
· Karen Bell gave Keynote speech announcing CNS Phase 3 and Standards Partnership;
· Ben Hedley provided a CSN work programme update;
· Charles Davies provided a Standards Partnership programme update;
· Workshop discussion responding to proposed work programme:
o Canada: Supportive of CSN simplifying additional sustainability standards to SME audiences.
o Kenya: Supportive of CSN helping to communicate the value of using standards for private sector and government and building NSB capacity.
o Rwanda: Rwanda have signed the UN Declaration on Gender Responsive Standards & Standards Development, developed action plan, and published standards and supports CSN sharing learnings from this.
o Ghana: Propose that CSN measure the levels of NSB maturity and address gaps - then support NSB discussions with Policy makers.
o Jamaica: Propose the CSN profile its membership and ability to help address the ‘digital divide’.
o ARSO: Supporting participation in international standards development is important.
o Trinidad & Tobago: CSN can support for NSBs to become financially sustainable –helping them develop business models.
The Samoa representative Roger Toleafoa has agreed to become the CSN co-chair in 2024.