IGF 2021 WS #229
Even more open: directing IGF expertise to the OEWG on ICTs

Organizer 1: Daniel McBryde, Global Affairs Canada
Organizer 2: Sheetal Kumar, Global Partners Digital
Organizer 3: Louise Marie Hurel, Igarapé Institute

Speaker 1: Daniel McBryde, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Sheetal Kumar, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Louise Marie Hurel, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 4: John Hering, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Moderator

Louise Marie Hurel, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Online Moderator

Sheetal Kumar, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Rapporteur

Sheetal Kumar, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Format

Break-out Group Discussions - Flexible Seating - 90 Min

Policy Question(s)

Cybersecurity practices and mechanisms: What are the good cybersecurity practices and international mechanisms that already exist? Where do those mechanisms fall short and what can be done to strengthen the security and to reinforce the trust?
International standards: How should international standards address the different requirements and preferences of governments and citizens in different countries?

Each of the policy areas chosen (international standards; cybersecurity practices and mechanisms) is relevant to the discussions at the UN First Committee, but unfortunately the lack of openness at those discussions means that views from across different stakeholder groupings and regions are not adequately heard. The new OEWG will set up working groups but we're not clear whether the multistakeholder community will be able to input meaningfully. As such, the aim is to leverage the expertise of the global community, and in particular to gather stakeholder perspectives on capacity building, international law, and norms. In this way it will gather expert feedback on these topics and feed them into a UN process.

SDGs

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
16.10


Targets: Without a peaceful and secure cyberspace, in an increasingly digitally connected world, it will be difficult to achieve the SDGs. However, the outcomes of the UN Discussions need to reflect the reality of the world outside UN diplomacy, and be evidence-based. Therefore, with this session, we will develop concrete guidance from the global community to support the implementation of outcomes that are intended to build a peaceful and secure cyberspace, and in that way contribute to the sustainable development goals.

Description:

In 2021, the UN’s first OEWG on ICTs adopted a consensus report which reaffirmed earlier commitments including the “responsible state behaviour” framework or “acquis”. The next OEWG begins this year and intends to build on this work through thematic sub-working groups, as referred to in the resolution which set up the OEWG (https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/75/240). It which will seek to advance discussions on the key areas of the OEWG’s mandate: threats; capacity building; regular institutional dialogue; CBMs; international law. In this session, we will invite the global multistakeholder community to provide their insights and expertise on these topics areas, with the view to directly informing the discussions at the multilateral level, with the guidance and expertise available in the multistakeholder community.

Expected Outcomes

We expect to develop and be able to deliver concrete guidance on implementing agreements as relevant to the OEWG’s thematic sub-groups and mandate.

The session is designed to be interactive by nature. As such, we will breaking out into groups that will be facilitated by representatives of different stakeholders and regions. These co-organisers will be encouraged to consult their national IGFs ahead of the discussion and bring those perspectives to this discussion as well.

Online Participation



Usage of IGF Official Tool.