Session
Organization's Website
Subtheme
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A roundtable format is best suited for this session as it encourages interactive and dynamic discussions among panellists, fostering a deeper exchange of ideas and experiences. Given the session's focus on assessing progress, discussing lessons learned, and exploring proposals for a future, permanent UN cybersecurity governance mechanism, a roundtable setup will facilitate open dialogue, collaboration, and engagement among diverse stakeholders. The 90-minute duration provides ample time for panellists to review key milestones, delve into complex issues, and engage in meaningful discussions. It also allows for sufficient time to address questions and insights from the audience, ensuring that the session remains inclusive and participatory. This format and duration ensure a comprehensive exploration of the topic while maintaining a productive and focused conversation.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A roundtable format is best suited for this session as it encourages interactive and dynamic discussions among panellists, fostering a deeper exchange of ideas and experiences. Given the session's focus on assessing progress, discussing lessons learned, and exploring proposals for a future, permanent UN cybersecurity governance mechanism, a roundtable setup will facilitate open dialogue, collaboration, and engagement among diverse stakeholders. The 90-minute duration provides ample time for panellists to review key milestones, delve into complex issues, and engage in meaningful discussions. It also allows for sufficient time to address questions and insights from the audience, ensuring that the session remains inclusive and participatory. This format and duration ensure a comprehensive exploration of the topic while maintaining a productive and focused conversation.
Description
Governance in cyberspace remains a significant global challenge, marked by its complexity and the interconnected nature of the issues at stake. Key areas such as international cooperation, ensuring stability in cyberspace, and building resilience require a robust, inclusive multistakeholder dialogue. The United Nations Open-Ended Working Groups on the “Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies” (UN OEWG 2021–2025) has been a critical platform to enhance dialogue in shaping the UN framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace.
As the framework on responsible state behaviour has matured, it has become a cornerstone for fostering trust and cooperation among states. However, its long-term effectiveness hinges on ensuring implementation, accountability, and adaptation to evolving cyber threats. The year 2025 holds particular significance, as it not only marks the 10th anniversary of the UN framework but also the conclusion of the UN OEWG 2021–2025 negotiations, making it a critical moment for the international multistakeholder community to assess progress and chart the way forward.
As discussions have started to evolve around the establishment of a future Open-Ended, Action-Oriented Permanent UN mechanism for the security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) within the UN OEWG 2021-2025, this session seeks aims to take stock of recent progress and offer an opportunity to reflect on how such a mechanism can build on existing achievements. Specifically, the session aims to explore how a future UN mechanism for ICT security can strengthen and advance the UN framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace.
Panellists will review key milestones from multiple and complementary perspectives, discuss lessons learned, and examine the range of proposals - such as a Cyber Programme of Action (PoA) which remains the most established proposal currently under consideration for a permanent UN mechanism. The session will address key achievements as well as contestations within the OEWG 2021–2025 discussions on the framework for responsible state behavior. It will assess how these insights can be leveraged in a permanent UN mechanism for cybersecurity governance. Specifically, it will explore what structures, processes, and approaches are needed to advance the framework.
By exploring mechanisms that ensure cybersecurity governance remains inclusive, transparent, and sustainable, this session will contribute to the global dialogue on effectively governing and securing cyberspace for the benefit of all, aligning with broader Internet Governance Forum (IGF) discussions on digital cooperation.
By bringing together policymakers, civil society, technical experts, and private sector representatives, this session aims to produce actionable recommendations for the development of a permanent, adaptable UN mechanism for cybersecurity governance to advance the framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace. By combining perspectives of various stakeholders, the session aims to ensure that the future mechanism is inclusive, practical, and resilient, ready to respond to the dynamic nature of the digital landscape.
To ensure seamless engagement between onsite and online participants, we will, if possible, use a dual-screen setup (where possible) to allow participation from online panellist and display live comments and questions from online attendees. This will allow onsite speakers to engage with the virtual panellist and audience in real time. Moderators will also actively curate and direct online contributions to ensure meaningful interaction. Moreover, we are planning a designate a Q&A session where both online and offline attendees can ask questions. Moderators—both onsite and online—will facilitate this process by alternating between in-person and virtual questions to maintain balanced participation. To foster inclusivity, we plan to begin the discussion with the online audience before moving to in-person contributions. This approach ensures that virtual participants feel engaged from the outset. Finally, If feasible, we aim to embed the livestream on the EUISS/Youtube website and make it permanently available on the EUISS Youtube Channel/ website post-production. This would allow us to reach a broader audience, including those unable to join online or offline during the day, ensuring wider accessibility.
To ensure seamless engagement between onsite and online participants, we will, if possible, use a dual-screen setup (where possible) to allow participation from online panellist and display live comments and questions from online attendees. This will allow onsite speakers to engage with the virtual panellist and audience in real time. Moderators will also actively curate and direct online contributions to ensure meaningful interaction. Moreover, we are planning a designate a Q&A session where both online and offline attendees can ask questions. Moderators—both onsite and online—will facilitate this process by alternating between in-person and virtual questions to maintain balanced participation. To foster inclusivity, we plan to begin the discussion with the online audience before moving to in-person contributions. This approach ensures that virtual participants feel engaged from the outset. Finally, If feasible, we aim to embed the livestream on the EUISS/Youtube website and make it permanently available on the EUISS Youtube Channel/ website post-production. This would allow us to reach a broader audience, including those unable to join online or offline during the day, ensuring wider accessibility.
Organizers
European Union Institute for Security Studies
- Andrea Calderaro, Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS, Europe - Marius Houwen, Deputy Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS, Europe - Fee-Marie von der Brelie, Project Officer Cyber Diplomacy and International Partnerships, EUISS, Europe
- Andrea Calderaro, Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS, Europe - Marius Houwen, Deputy Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS, Europe - Fee-Marie von der Brelie, Project Officer Cyber Diplomacy and International Partnerships, EUISS, Europe
Speakers
- Mr Léonard Rolland Head of International Cyber Policy, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Representative, Europe, [TBC]
- Manon Le Blanc, Coordinator for Cyber Issues and Deputy Head of the Hybrid Threats and Cyber Division, European External Action Service (EEAS), Government Representative, Europe, [TBC]
- Alejandro Mayoral Baños, Executive Director, Access Now, North America, [TBC]
- Veni Markowski, Vice President for Government and IGO Engagement, ICANN, North America, [TBC]
- Adil Sulieman – Senior Policy Officer, Telecom and ICT, African Union Commission, African Group [TBC]
- Kerry-Ann Barrett - Chief of the Cybersecurity Section within the Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism of the Organization of American States, (OAS/CICTE), LAC [TBC]
Onsite Moderator
Andrea Calderaro, Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS
Online Moderator
Marius Houwen, Deputy Director EU Cyber Direct - EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative & Advancing the Cyber PoA Projects, EUISS
Rapporteur
Fee-Marie von der Brelie, Project Officer Cyber Diplomacy and International Partnerships , EUISS
SDGs
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: The session, which will explore how a future UN mechanism for ICT security can strengthen and advance the UN framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace, aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure SDG 9 emphasizes the importance of building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation, which is directly connected to the role of global governance of cybersecurity to support and securing digital infrastructure. The session highlights the need for global cybersecurity governance frameworks to ensure that digital infrastructure—critical for economic growth and technological innovation—remains secure and resilient against cyber threats. By discussing how a future, permanent UN mechanism can strengthen norms around responsible state behavior in cyberspace, the session contributes to the creation of secure digital ecosystems that support the growth of industries and foster innovation. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion across societies. The session aims to examine how a future, permanent UN mechanism—such as a Cyber Programme of Action—can be designed to bridge the cybersecurity divide between developed and developing countries. The discussion will explore the necessary modalities to ensure that digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and accessible for all nations, thereby advancing equal opportunities for social, economic, and political participation. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. As urbanization and digitalization accelerate, cybersecurity becomes a key enabler of resilient and secure cities. This session will explore how strengthening norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace—through a future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security—can help protect digital infrastructure within urban environments. With cities increasingly dependent on digital systems for public services, commerce, healthcare, and governance, cybersecurity is essential for sustainable development. Enhancing global cyber norms will safeguard critical digital systems from threats, ensuring urban resilience, public safety, and the sustainable growth of cities and communities worldwide. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions A secure and stable cyberspace is essential for maintaining peace, justice, and strong institutions in the digital age. This session aim sto make actionable recommendations on how a future future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security has to be set up to make advance the UN framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace. As governments, businesses, and individuals increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a clear and effective global cybersecurity mechanism is crucial to implementing this framework. As governments, businesses, and individuals increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a clear and effective global cybersecurity mechanism is crucial to implementing the UN framework and in turn, contribute to reducing the risk of cyber conflicts and fostering trust between nations. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals SDG 17 highlights the importance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This session strongly aligns with this target by addressing how a future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security can foster partnerships for achieving cybersecurity goals. The guiding question explores how such a mechanism can unite governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society in addressing global cybersecurity challenges. By promoting collaboration and cooperation across these diverse stakeholders, the session will examine how collective efforts can strengthen the global cybersecurity framework, ensure responsible state behavior, and contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: The session, which will explore how a future UN mechanism for ICT security can strengthen and advance the UN framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace, aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure SDG 9 emphasizes the importance of building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation, which is directly connected to the role of global governance of cybersecurity to support and securing digital infrastructure. The session highlights the need for global cybersecurity governance frameworks to ensure that digital infrastructure—critical for economic growth and technological innovation—remains secure and resilient against cyber threats. By discussing how a future, permanent UN mechanism can strengthen norms around responsible state behavior in cyberspace, the session contributes to the creation of secure digital ecosystems that support the growth of industries and foster innovation. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities SDG 10 focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion across societies. The session aims to examine how a future, permanent UN mechanism—such as a Cyber Programme of Action—can be designed to bridge the cybersecurity divide between developed and developing countries. The discussion will explore the necessary modalities to ensure that digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and accessible for all nations, thereby advancing equal opportunities for social, economic, and political participation. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. As urbanization and digitalization accelerate, cybersecurity becomes a key enabler of resilient and secure cities. This session will explore how strengthening norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace—through a future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security—can help protect digital infrastructure within urban environments. With cities increasingly dependent on digital systems for public services, commerce, healthcare, and governance, cybersecurity is essential for sustainable development. Enhancing global cyber norms will safeguard critical digital systems from threats, ensuring urban resilience, public safety, and the sustainable growth of cities and communities worldwide. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions A secure and stable cyberspace is essential for maintaining peace, justice, and strong institutions in the digital age. This session aim sto make actionable recommendations on how a future future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security has to be set up to make advance the UN framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace. As governments, businesses, and individuals increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a clear and effective global cybersecurity mechanism is crucial to implementing this framework. As governments, businesses, and individuals increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, a clear and effective global cybersecurity mechanism is crucial to implementing the UN framework and in turn, contribute to reducing the risk of cyber conflicts and fostering trust between nations. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals SDG 17 highlights the importance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This session strongly aligns with this target by addressing how a future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security can foster partnerships for achieving cybersecurity goals. The guiding question explores how such a mechanism can unite governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society in addressing global cybersecurity challenges. By promoting collaboration and cooperation across these diverse stakeholders, the session will examine how collective efforts can strengthen the global cybersecurity framework, ensure responsible state behavior, and contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development.