Striking the Right Balance

A Commentary on the Fourth Substantive Session of the UN Working Group on International Cyber Security

The UN’s cyber working group met in March amid geopolitical tension and rising cyber threats. How can it balance expectations and political realities?

By  Allison Pytlak  • Andrea Salvi

Originally published on Directions Blog.

The recent meeting of the OEWG on ICTs in New York was held amidst a climate of significant global cyber threats and geopolitical tensions. The meeting was successful in terms of attracting a high number of new proposals and broad participation from member states, which is particularly valuable in the current climate of multilateral uncertainty. However, the OEWG faces the challenge of addressing a wide range of issues while contending with polarised views on core cybersecurity matters. As a result, making meaningful and inclusive progress is challenging. While the process is crucial in promoting dialogue and building confidence among nations, it must also demonstrate impact in tackling the pressing issue of cyber threats. Striking a balance between these expectations and political realities is a complex but necessary objective.

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