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COMMONWEALTH TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANISATION
COUNCIL MEETING 2013
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Abuja Declaration on the Proposed Commonwealth Cybergovernance Model
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The Commonwealth of Nations spanning six continents and five oceans, brings together
people of numerous races, languages and religions, who are at various stages of economic
development. Its shared goals and principles in democracy and development, adopted by the
Commonwealth Heads of Governments in Singapore in 1971 and reaffirmed in Harare in 1991,
include liberty of the individual, equal rights for all citizens and their inalienable right to
participate by means of free and democratic political processes in framing the society in which
they live.
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The Commonwealth aims to achieve the freest possible flow of international trade on
terms fair and equitable to all, to encourage the flow of adequate resources to the developing
countries in a true spirit of partnership and to establish conditions conducive to sustained
investment and growth in the developing countries.
3
The Commonwealth considers itself as one of the most fruitful associations to promote
international co-operation which is essential to remove the causes of war, promote tolerance,
combat injustice, and secure development.
4
The Cyberspace has fast evolved to become a place where innovation, interaction and
entrepreneurship flourish, leading to economic development. It has provided people from all
corners of the world with unparalleled opportunities while facilitating better understanding
amongst different cultures. On the other hand the Cyberspace has given rise to dangers, both
new and existing dangers with a Cyber- element, which calls for consorted action, in most
instances spanning more than one jurisdiction. The impact of each country’s overall approach
to governing the behaviour in Cyberspace is felt far beyond its borders.
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The principles and values of the Commonwealth are consistent with the basic tenets of
governing the Cyberspace which have made it a thriving community full of opportunities, with
equal rights for all while facilitating the free flow of international trade and promoting
international co-operation.
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Thus while it is both feasible and desirable to develop a unique Commonwealth
approach to govern the Cyberspace which can be subscribed to by Commonwealth countries
and open for adoption by non-Commonwealth countries, a great deal of work remains yet to
done to bring the strengths of the Commonwealth to bear on the governing of the Cyberspace.
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