Porvoo 15 Conference 2009

The Porvoo Group is an international cooperative network of government representatives whose primary goal is to promote a trans-national, interoperable electronic identity, based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI technology) and electronic ID cards, in order to help ensure secure public and private sector e-transactions in Europe.

As its name suggests, the Porvoo Group was established in the Finnish city of Porvoo in April 2002. The Group has seen constant expansion. The majority of its members represent their respective national authorities but representatives of the business community as well as the European Commission and the UN have also contributed to its work. At present, some 30 countries from Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia have representatives in the Group. Porvoo Group conferences have been attended by as many as approximately one hundred delegates.

The Porvoo Group's two-day conferences are held every six months. The conferences always include a comprehensive presentation by the hosting country on the situation of the Information Society and the electronic identity. In addition, the participating countries present their country updates. The primary objective of the conferences is to bring under discussion "Best practices" in the PKI technology, present on-going PKI projects, follow the progress of standardisation and biometrics in the field of electronic identity, discuss various studies concerning the EU Directive governing electronic signatures and draft statements and proposals to the European Commission when deemed necessary.

The themes of the Porvoo Conference 2009 include: national eID development projects in Austria, the STORK pilot project, electronic signature, standardisation and biometrics. Registration to the event is open and free and can be performed by filling the relevant form by 26 April 2009.

Event email: porvoo15@a-sit.at and porvoo.group@vrk.fi