Cybersecurity: JICA Participates for the First Time in a UN-Hosted Roundtable on Capacity Building in Cybersecurity, Sharing Japan's Experience
Day：2024.05.22
event ｜
Summary
Conference Name: United Nations Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG)[1] "ICT Security Capacity Building Global Roundtable"
Date: May 10, 2024
Hosted by: The United Nations
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, the United States of America
(Opening session with appearances by the UN Secretary-General (video message), President of the UN General Assembly (acting), ITU Secretary-General, UNDP Administrator, Singaporean Minister for Communications and Information, and the Chair）
Heading
On May 10th, the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) held the "ICT Security Capacity Building Global Roundtable" in New York, USA, with the participation of cybersecurity ministers and ambassadors from over 70 UN member states. Representing the Japanese government, JICA's Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Mr. TOJIMA Hitoshi, attended the conference.
CDO Tojima explained briefly about JICA's Cluster Strategy for Cybersecurity[2] and shared information on related projects, focusing on capacity building and human resource development in partner countries. He also utilized this opportunity to engage in discussions and networking with various partners for future collaboration and co-creation.
[1] Open-ended working group on information and communication technologies (2021) | United Nations (unoda.org)
[2] Cluster Strategy for Cybersecurity.pdf (jica.go.jp)
(Appearance in the breakout panel session with the moderator and 3 panelists in the background)
Content
Many developing countries are advancing the utilization of digital technologies for social and economic development. The Japanese government advocates for the DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust) for solving social issues, without border restrictions, while ensuring trust in privacy, security, and intellectual property rights. Recognizing the increasing cyber threats and the importance of cybersecurity for people's safe lives, various countries worldwide are emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity.
The UN OEWG serves as a platform for the UN member states to discuss a wide range of topics, including threat awareness, norms, application of international law, confidence-building, and capacity building in cyberspace. The Global Roundtable aimed to share knowledge and build partnerships, facilitating information and opinion exchanges among participants from different countries and relevant organizations.
In a breakout panel session of the roundtable, CDO Tojima discussed the importance of "technology," "human resources," and "partnerships." He introduced JICA's Cluster Strategy for Cybersecurity, based on the "JICA Global Agenda" (sectoral strategy)[3], which aims to achieve a society that can protect people's lives and dignity ("Cybersecurity for All"). He also highlighted JICA's focus on capacity building and human resource development in partner countries.
Furthermore, he emphasized the urgent need for stakeholders in all sectors to deepen their understanding of cyber risks and implement practical cybersecurity measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also mentioned the importance of efficient and effective implementation and collaboration through cooperation tailored to each country's situation and coordination among multi-stakeholders, including development cooperation agencies, the private sector, academia, and CSOs. He stressed the effectiveness of South-South and triangular cooperation[4] in enhancing the self-reliance and sustainability of partner countries.
In addition to the breakout panel sessions, a matchmaking (activity introduction) session took place with the participation of 28 organizations, including various countries and international institutions. Mr. TAKATOI Shunsuke, Senior Director of STI and DX Office in the Governance and Peacebuilding Department at JICA, spoke about the human resource development project being implemented at the "ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Center" in Thailand[5] and introduced a new project plan under consideration in the Pacific region. He called for network building with a wide range of development partners, including governments, international organizations, CSOs, and the private sector, with a focus on future collaboration and co-creation.
JICA is committed to continuing and reinforcing collaboration with diverse partners to maximize the development impact in its projects/programs and achieve a society that can respond to the escalating threats in cyberspace and protect people's lives and dignity ("Cybersecurity for All").
[3]
Digital for Development ｜ What We Do - JICA
[4] South-South and Triangular Cooperation ｜ What We Do - JICA
[5] Opening Ceremony for the First Training Session at the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre in Thailand Contributing to the cultivation of cybersecurity experts in ASEAN member states ｜ News & Media - JICA
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