IGF 2023 Open Forum #84 Shaping a UN Cyber Programme of Action

The Cyber Programme of Action (PoA) is a proposal by a group of UN member states in 2020 for a permanent forum of institutional dialogue on responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. So far, discussions relating to the Cyber PoA have not reached a wide audience, and has been limited to states and other actors active within discussions of the UN’s Open Ended Working Group on ICTs. In 2022, the UNGA agreed that the PoA would continue to be discussed within the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group of ICTs, and states were requested to submit their views on the scope, structure and content of PoA to the Secretary General by April 2022. In addition, regional consultations are planned by intergovernmental regional organisations in May and June this year. This session will provide a much needed opportunity for stakeholders to receive updates on the proposal, the consultations held thus far and to provide their views into this ongoing process. The IGF is a unique multistakeholder platform and this session (Open Forum/town hall) will allow for awareness raising and inclusive dialogue with the global community on an important and timely proposal for institutional dialogue within the UN on the theme of cybersecurity and responsible state behaviour.

We will ensure interaction between onsite and online attendees by requesting questions throughout the session, and by providing some guiding questions at the beginning of the session. We will start with a couple 'ice-breaker' questions to gauge audience knowledge of the cyber PoA. These will be relayed to online attendees if made in person, or shared in person if asked online by the moderator. The moderators will coordinate and play an active role by encouraging questions on specific themes related to the guidign questions, and posing questions directly to the panellists. We will also set aside half an hour of the session (half of the entire session) for Q&A and engagement with the audience.