standards.ieee.org 1

06 August 2026

Liisa Pakosta Minister Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs

Estonia

via email to: [email protected]

Invitation - IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS)

Dear Ms. Pakota:

On behalf of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA), I am writing to cordially invite the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia to appoint a representative to the IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS).

There are no membership requirements, fees or obligations to participate in the program.

Increasingly voluntary standards are viewed as a good foundation for or a supplement to regulatory activities by many governments. IEEE supports the participation of governmental ministries or agencies in GEPS to enhance their knowledge of the IEEE standards development process and an understanding of IEEE standards in regulatory and policy frameworks. It provides insights into how market-led standards provide sound solutions and enable innovation. The program offers unique opportunities to connect with IEEE standards’ communities and those involved in the global standardization ecosystem to help governments’ meet their objectives.

IEEE is a key player in technology stewardship and governance matters, including technology governance and ethical considerations in AI and sustainability. As it is important to establish a dialogue with governments around technology platforms and standards that underpin the global digital economy, your participation is highly welcomed.

You will be able to engage with IEEE SA in person and online, e.g. via email communications supporting the GEPS participants to actively contribute to the discussions on IEEE standardiza- tion activities and technology developments. Moreover, program representations are welcome to discuss their views during interactive webinars or in regular exchange with IEEE SA staff and other experts. An IEEE SA staff contact will facilitate program participation and assist with questions.

standards.ieee.org 2

About IEEE SA

IEEE SA is a leading global consensus-building organization that nurtures, develops, and ad- vances global technologies. It brings together individuals and organizations from a wide range of technical and geographic backgrounds to facilitate standards development and collaboration. With thought leaders from around the world, we promote innovation, enable the creation and expansion of international markets, and help protect health and public safety. Our work drives the functional- ity and interoperability of a wide range of products and services that transform the way people live, work, and communicate. For example, the IEEE 802® portfolio of standards for wireless network- ing and its collection of standards addressing technology governance.

IEEE SA develops voluntary standards through an open, transparent, and market-driven para- digm. The resulting standards find use and implementation worldwide in a broad array of indus- tries and sectors.

The IEEE SA Standards Board (SASB) encourages and coordinates the development and revision of IEEE standards. It reviews the standards development process for consensus, due process, openness, and balance prior to granting final approval for publication. For more information, please visit: http://standards.ieee.org/about/sasb/index.html. The Board of Governors (BOG) di- rects IEEE SA. It establishes policy, provides financial oversight, and conducts standards-related activities within IEEE technological fields. For more information, visit: https://standards.ieee.org/about/bog/.

IEEE GEPS participants have official Observer Status on SASB and BOG. Partaking in the pro- gram provides governments with opportunities to engage directly with standards development and industry experts, and help shape standards and their impact on technology transformation, policy and regulation. Representatives receive tailored information through bespoke webinars and bi-lat- eral consultations with technical standards experts.

Please find more information on the role of a GEPS program participant, expectations and benefits in the annex.

IEEE SA would be honored if your organization were to accept this invitation. Please communicate your decision, or any questions about the program, to Constance Weise by 20 August 2026.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Karen McCabe Senior Director, Technology Policy | IEEE Standards Association

standards.ieee.org 3

Annex - The IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS)

Role and purpose

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) is a global standards development organization that constantly seeks to adapt and improve its activities to ensure relevance and coordination with global stakeholders. Governments have an interest in global standardization, and GEPS facilitates information sharing about IEEE’s standards processes and activities.

IEEE GEPS program participants will have access to:

●      An orientation webinar to familiarize participants with IEEE SA and GEPS; ●      Webinars on topics of relevance; ●      Relevant email communication and alerts; ●      The opportunity for the appointed representative to participate in SASB meetings –

especially encouraged when the IEEE SA Standards Board meets in the representative’s country – to see first-hand how the IEEE standards process works, and to exchange views;

●      The opportunity to provide written or verbal information reports to the SASB upon request; ●      An IEEE SA staff contact person to answer questions and assist with program participa-

tion.

Although each participating body typically appoints one representative for a calendar year, there is the ability to nominate two persons (one official and one operational nominee). In addition to ap- pointed representatives, colleagues from your body may also participate in the program. Appoint- ments are renewable.

Current program participants

A list of all current participants can be found on the IEEE SASB page here and the IEEE GEPS page here.

IEEE SASB meetings

The IEEE SA Standards Board (SASB) meets, usually, in person three to four times per year. The meeting schedule for 2026 is as follows:

 23-26 March 2026, New Jersey, USA

 01-05 June 2026, Tokyo, Japan

 21-25 September 2026, virtual only

 07-09 December 2026, Dublin, Ireland

standards.ieee.org 4

IEEE SA BOG meetings

The IEEE Board of Governors (BOG) meets, usually, in person three to four times per year. The meeting schedule for 2026 is as follows:

 03-05 February 2026, New Jersey, USA

 04-08 May 2026, Costa Rica

 02-03 September 2026, virtual only

 04-05 December 2026, Dublin, Ireland

IEEE SA does not reimburse travel costs.

Since it can be challenging to attend SASB or BOG meetings in person that are held around the world, IEEE SA will provide additional engagement opportunities, including online webinars, and the option to arrange teleconferences through the staff contact person.

SASB operations and point of contact

IEEE BOG and SASB meetings are conducted in English, and materials are available in English. If translation is required, kindly address that concern in advance of the meetings to David Ringle, Director, IEEE SA Governance, at: [email protected].

For more information about GEPS, please contact Constance Weise, IEEE SA GEPS Team, at: [email protected].

*** *** ***

standards.ieee.org 1

06 August 2026

Liisa Pakosta Minister Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs

Estonia

via email to: [email protected]

Invitation - IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS)

Dear Ms. Pakota:

On behalf of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA), I am writing to cordially invite the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia to appoint a representative to the IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS).

There are no membership requirements, fees or obligations to participate in the program.

Increasingly voluntary standards are viewed as a good foundation for or a supplement to regulatory activities by many governments. IEEE supports the participation of governmental ministries or agencies in GEPS to enhance their knowledge of the IEEE standards development process and an understanding of IEEE standards in regulatory and policy frameworks. It provides insights into how market-led standards provide sound solutions and enable innovation. The program offers unique opportunities to connect with IEEE standards’ communities and those involved in the global standardization ecosystem to help governments’ meet their objectives.

IEEE is a key player in technology stewardship and governance matters, including technology governance and ethical considerations in AI and sustainability. As it is important to establish a dialogue with governments around technology platforms and standards that underpin the global digital economy, your participation is highly welcomed.

You will be able to engage with IEEE SA in person and online, e.g. via email communications supporting the GEPS participants to actively contribute to the discussions on IEEE standardiza- tion activities and technology developments. Moreover, program representations are welcome to discuss their views during interactive webinars or in regular exchange with IEEE SA staff and other experts. An IEEE SA staff contact will facilitate program participation and assist with questions.

standards.ieee.org 2

About IEEE SA

IEEE SA is a leading global consensus-building organization that nurtures, develops, and ad- vances global technologies. It brings together individuals and organizations from a wide range of technical and geographic backgrounds to facilitate standards development and collaboration. With thought leaders from around the world, we promote innovation, enable the creation and expansion of international markets, and help protect health and public safety. Our work drives the functional- ity and interoperability of a wide range of products and services that transform the way people live, work, and communicate. For example, the IEEE 802® portfolio of standards for wireless network- ing and its collection of standards addressing technology governance.

IEEE SA develops voluntary standards through an open, transparent, and market-driven para- digm. The resulting standards find use and implementation worldwide in a broad array of indus- tries and sectors.

The IEEE SA Standards Board (SASB) encourages and coordinates the development and revision of IEEE standards. It reviews the standards development process for consensus, due process, openness, and balance prior to granting final approval for publication. For more information, please visit: http://standards.ieee.org/about/sasb/index.html. The Board of Governors (BOG) di- rects IEEE SA. It establishes policy, provides financial oversight, and conducts standards-related activities within IEEE technological fields. For more information, visit: https://standards.ieee.org/about/bog/.

IEEE GEPS participants have official Observer Status on SASB and BOG. Partaking in the pro- gram provides governments with opportunities to engage directly with standards development and industry experts, and help shape standards and their impact on technology transformation, policy and regulation. Representatives receive tailored information through bespoke webinars and bi-lat- eral consultations with technical standards experts.

Please find more information on the role of a GEPS program participant, expectations and benefits in the annex.

IEEE SA would be honored if your organization were to accept this invitation. Please communicate your decision, or any questions about the program, to Constance Weise by 20 August 2026.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Karen McCabe Senior Director, Technology Policy | IEEE Standards Association

standards.ieee.org 3

Annex - The IEEE Government Engagement Program on Standards (GEPS)

Role and purpose

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) is a global standards development organization that constantly seeks to adapt and improve its activities to ensure relevance and coordination with global stakeholders. Governments have an interest in global standardization, and GEPS facilitates information sharing about IEEE’s standards processes and activities.

IEEE GEPS program participants will have access to:

●      An orientation webinar to familiarize participants with IEEE SA and GEPS; ●      Webinars on topics of relevance; ●      Relevant email communication and alerts; ●      The opportunity for the appointed representative to participate in SASB meetings –

especially encouraged when the IEEE SA Standards Board meets in the representative’s country – to see first-hand how the IEEE standards process works, and to exchange views;

●      The opportunity to provide written or verbal information reports to the SASB upon request; ●      An IEEE SA staff contact person to answer questions and assist with program participa-

tion.

Although each participating body typically appoints one representative for a calendar year, there is the ability to nominate two persons (one official and one operational nominee). In addition to ap- pointed representatives, colleagues from your body may also participate in the program. Appoint- ments are renewable.

Current program participants

A list of all current participants can be found on the IEEE SASB page here and the IEEE GEPS page here.

IEEE SASB meetings

The IEEE SA Standards Board (SASB) meets, usually, in person three to four times per year. The meeting schedule for 2026 is as follows:

 23-26 March 2026, New Jersey, USA

 01-05 June 2026, Tokyo, Japan

 21-25 September 2026, virtual only

 07-09 December 2026, Dublin, Ireland

standards.ieee.org 4

IEEE SA BOG meetings

The IEEE Board of Governors (BOG) meets, usually, in person three to four times per year. The meeting schedule for 2026 is as follows:

 03-05 February 2026, New Jersey, USA

 04-08 May 2026, Costa Rica

 02-03 September 2026, virtual only

 04-05 December 2026, Dublin, Ireland

IEEE SA does not reimburse travel costs.

Since it can be challenging to attend SASB or BOG meetings in person that are held around the world, IEEE SA will provide additional engagement opportunities, including online webinars, and the option to arrange teleconferences through the staff contact person.

SASB operations and point of contact

IEEE BOG and SASB meetings are conducted in English, and materials are available in English. If translation is required, kindly address that concern in advance of the meetings to David Ringle, Director, IEEE SA Governance, at: [email protected].

For more information about GEPS, please contact Constance Weise, IEEE SA GEPS Team, at: [email protected].

*** *** ***