Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum 2014
Marlborough House, London
3 - 4 March 2014
Commonwealth Cybergovernance Model
1. Introduction
1.1. Recognising the central importance of the internet to Commonwealth members and
following the Abuja Declaration of Proposed Commonwealth Cybergovernance Model of 9
October 2013 and subsequent consultations, the Commonwealth Telecommunications
Organisation offers this draft set of principles for consideration and adoption during the
Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum. The principles are intended to guide Commonwealth
members to plan and implement practical actions in policy development, regulation and
legislation, cross-border collaboration, capacity building, technical measures and other
operational activities.
2. Cyberspace – the internet and more
2.1. We are in an era of changing economic circumstances creating both opportunity
and uncertainty, giving rise to new trade and economic patterns together with unforeseen
threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular demands for democracy, human rights
and for broadened social and economic opportunities. Previously unimagined access to
information and communication between individuals across our planet is driving economic
and social development in the 21st century. Cyberspace 1 provides this access, helping us
to bridge the digital divide while influencing every aspect of our economic and social
activities. Cyberspace is becoming our global central nervous system.
Cyberspace
continues to develop at a pace unparalleled in our history - growth is anticipated from 2bn
to 4bn users by 20202, many in developing countries. This pace of change necessitates
urgent action in reaching consensus on Cybergovernance.
2.2. Its open, decentralised and distributed nature, that empowers the individual, has
fostered innovation, collaboration and rapid development. Enjoyment of those benefits
relies upon its safety, security and resilience. Cyberspace can also be a vehicle for crime,
extremism and other social ills3. Governments, industry, civil society and users have a
shared responsibility4 to tackle those threats to society. Necessary security measures may
be in tension with the very features that have made Cyberspace a success and, in
determining an equitable balance, our behaviour in Cyberspace will benefit from our shared
Commonwealth values that govern many aspects of our lives.
1
Cyberspace encompasses the internet, mobile and fixed-line access, plus all the networked machine-to-machine
communications and other networked communications that are beyond the World Wide Web.
2
Microsoft report “Linking Cybersecurity Policy and Performance”, February 2013
3 ITU Regional Development Forum for the AFR Region, meeting in Accra, Ghana 1 October 2013
4
World Economic Forum report “Risk and Responsibility in a Hyperconnected World”, January 2014