Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 1: Ellie McDonald, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Vera Toro Catalina, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Raman Jit Singh Chima, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Oluseyi Oyebisi, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 5: Suto Timea, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Speaker 2: Vera Toro Catalina, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 3: Raman Jit Singh Chima, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Oluseyi Oyebisi, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 5: Suto Timea, Private Sector, Eastern European Group
Format
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom layout is best suited as it provides both a structured yet interactive discussion, ensuring that expert insights and audience participation feed into the broader conversation. We envision that the session will feature a brief moderated panel discussion with diverse stakeholders, followed by an interactive dialogue and exchange of ideas to empower all participants to engage on the issues raised. We therefore believe that the format itself will illustrate the value of multistakeholder collaboration.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The classroom layout is best suited as it provides both a structured yet interactive discussion, ensuring that expert insights and audience participation feed into the broader conversation. We envision that the session will feature a brief moderated panel discussion with diverse stakeholders, followed by an interactive dialogue and exchange of ideas to empower all participants to engage on the issues raised. We therefore believe that the format itself will illustrate the value of multistakeholder collaboration.
Policy Question(s)
This session will explore how UN cyber processes have shaped stakeholder engagement and what lessons can be applied to future processes.
(1). What lessons can be learned from past and present UN cyber processes about implementing a multistakeholder approach?
(2). Which stakeholder engagement mechanisms from these processes should be integrated into future UN forums, including the permanent mechanism and work under the UNCC?
(3). How can the modalities of these processes ensure meaningful multi stakeholder participation, which leads to outcomes that respect human rights and enhance global trust and resilience?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain an understanding of how UN cyber processes have facilitated or limited multistakeholder participation and how these lessons can inform future structures and processes.
Governments and representatives from international organisations will leave with practical insights on integrating multistakeholder input into the design of processes and policymaking, particularly in shaping the forthcoming permanent UN cyber mechanism and under the UNCC. Civil society and the technical community will gain strategies to demonstrate the benefits of human rights-based and multistakeholder engagement in relevant processes, helping them advocate more effectively for inclusive decisionmaking. The private sector will better understand its role in building resilience and supporting rights-respecting policies through constructive engagement.
Through concrete examples and strategic recommendations, this session will equip diverse stakeholders with the tools to strengthen the modalities of UN cyber processes, as well as contribute to international cooperation, reinforcing the need for an inclusive and resilient global cybersecurity ecosystem.
Description:
Effectively addressing cyber threats requires a multistakeholder approach, where governments, civil society, the private sector, and others work together to strengthen cyber resilience and promote international cooperation. As the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity concludes and shifts towards the establishment of a permanent mechanism, and with the upcoming signing ceremony of the UN Cybercrime Convention (UNCC), this session provides an opportunity to reflect on key lessons from these UN cyber processes and their broader implications. This session will examine: (1) The modalities of the OEWG and the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) and their impact on stakeholder engagement. (2) The role stakeholders have played in shaping discussions to ensure that outcomes are rights-respecting. (3) The evolving expectations for stakeholder participation in the upcoming permanent UN cyber mechanism and work under the UNCC. Bringing together representatives from civil society, government, the private sector, and international organisations, the discussion will examine both the benefits and challenges of inclusive governance in cybersecurity policy. Speakers will share concrete examples of how stakeholder participation has influenced global cyber norms, highlighting best practices, and discuss ways to enhance multistakeholder engagement in future UN cybersecurity processes. At a time when cyber governance decisions and processes increasingly impact human rights, ensuring that approaches are underpinned by inclusivity, transparency and human rights is critical. This session will contribute to ongoing conversations on the role of multistakeholder engagement in cybersecurity processes and governance, offering insights on how diverse perspectives and rights-respecting approaches can enhance resilience, accountability, and trust in cyberspace.
Effectively addressing cyber threats requires a multistakeholder approach, where governments, civil society, the private sector, and others work together to strengthen cyber resilience and promote international cooperation. As the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on cybersecurity concludes and shifts towards the establishment of a permanent mechanism, and with the upcoming signing ceremony of the UN Cybercrime Convention (UNCC), this session provides an opportunity to reflect on key lessons from these UN cyber processes and their broader implications. This session will examine: (1) The modalities of the OEWG and the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) and their impact on stakeholder engagement. (2) The role stakeholders have played in shaping discussions to ensure that outcomes are rights-respecting. (3) The evolving expectations for stakeholder participation in the upcoming permanent UN cyber mechanism and work under the UNCC. Bringing together representatives from civil society, government, the private sector, and international organisations, the discussion will examine both the benefits and challenges of inclusive governance in cybersecurity policy. Speakers will share concrete examples of how stakeholder participation has influenced global cyber norms, highlighting best practices, and discuss ways to enhance multistakeholder engagement in future UN cybersecurity processes. At a time when cyber governance decisions and processes increasingly impact human rights, ensuring that approaches are underpinned by inclusivity, transparency and human rights is critical. This session will contribute to ongoing conversations on the role of multistakeholder engagement in cybersecurity processes and governance, offering insights on how diverse perspectives and rights-respecting approaches can enhance resilience, accountability, and trust in cyberspace.
Expected Outcomes
This session will produce practical insights on how multistakeholder engagement in UN cyber processes has evolved and what improvements are needed for future forums and processes. It will offer a set of clear recommendations for how governments, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders can advocate for more inclusive cybersecurity processes and policymaking that fosters resilience.
Building on the policy questions, the session will:
(1). Identify best practices for stakeholder participation in UN cyber governance.
(2). Develop recommendations on integrating these practices into the permanent UN cyber mechanism and work of the UNCC.
(3). Provide strategies to ensure rights-respecting cybersecurity policies that uphold freedom of expression, privacy and other human rights.
The discussion will feed into ongoing UN discussions, with follow-up envisioned in the form of collective advocacy to sufficiently embed multistakeholder and human rights-based approaches in cybersecurity governance.
Hybrid Format: This session will be structured to ensure meaningful participation from both in-person and online attendees, creating a discussion that feels natural and inclusive regardless of how people join. The on-site and online moderators will both be present in the room to encourage seamless and active engagement from all participants, ensuring that online voices are not sidelined. Virtual attendees will be able to submit questions in real time to allow their perspectives to directly input into the conversation. We will explore the use of online tools to ensure this is possible.
To avoid a one-way panel, the session will encourage dialogue between speakers and the audience, ensuring dynamic exchanges rather than just pre-prepared statements.