A proposal to establish a UN Programme of Action (PoA) for “responsible state behaviour in cyberspace” has been gaining traction. In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution laying out a pathway for interested UN member states to share their views on the “scope, structure and content” of the possible new instrument through regional consultations and written inputs. These will culminate in a report from the UN Secretary-General later this year.
In parallel, the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) organized an informal process for civil society, industry, academia and other non-governmental stakeholders to share views. Some stakeholders, such as the Paris Peace Forum, are working to better coordinate stakeholder efforts. Yet, many stakeholders are finding it difficult to understand the process that is underway within the UN on the PoA, how the proposal fits with other UN cyber processes, and what the implications of a Cyber PoA could be for our respective work in this area.
This online event is intended as a way for stakeholders to hear directly from the UN Secretariat about the current status of the cyber PoA – what has happened so far, what happens next? – in an effort to demystify and clarify the process. It will also be an opportunity for UNIDIR to provide a preliminary and informal overview of the inputs it has received and learn about initiatives to better coordinate amongst stakeholders. While the event is not closed to government representatives, preference will be given during the Q&A to non-governmental stakeholders.
Featured Speakers
Katherine Prizeman, Political Affairs Officer, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
Moliehi Makumane, Researcher, Security and Technology Division, UN Institute for Disarmament Research
Jérôme Barbier, Head of Outer Space, Digital and Economic Issues, Paris Peace Forum
Moderator
Allison Pytlak, Cyber Program Lead, the Stimson Center
