STATEMENT BY MR GAURAV KEERTHI, DEPUTY CHIEF
EXECUTIVE (DEVELOPMENT), CYBER SECURITY AGENCY OF
SINGAPORE AT THE VIRTUAL CONSULTATIONS OF THE UNITED
NATIONS OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP, 22 FEBRUARY 2021
Thank you, Chair.
1
First of all, I would like to acknowledge the Chair and his team in
running the process, and on their effort in putting together the zero-draft report.
Singapore fully supports the Chair’s effort in achieving positive outcomes in this
current OEWG. In our view, the OEWG would have made significant progress
when we achieve two key outcomes.
2
First, our discussions at this OEWG in and of itself is a significant
achievement. As mentioned by some of our colleagues like Slovenia and
Argentina, this is the first time that all 193 member states are participating in an
open, inclusive, and transparent UN process, which has raised awareness on the
critical issues for the responsible use of ICTs by States in the context of
international peace and security. We should not take what we have discussed in
this process lightly. The OEWG discussions have catalysed further discussions
and actions within and beyond regional organisations, such as ASEAN, with the
wider UN membership now gaining a better understanding and participating in
advancing security and stability in cyberspace. We would not have seen such an
extent of discussions on cybersecurity three years ago. Achieving a consensus
report would thus signal the UN member states’ commitment to continuing these
international cyber discussions. Whether we have a long report or a short one,
what matters is that all of us believe that the report is a step forward from where
we started. Not achieving consensus would be a step backwards for all of us,
especially for small states like us who look to the UN to make progress on these
issues.