2. Risk Reduction Measures build confidence in countries’ capacity to collaborate to respond to specific instances of malicious cyber activity without escalation to conflict. a. b. c. d. e. 3. Australia is an active participant in ASEAN Regional Forum cyber risk reduction discussions including through the ARF Open Ended Study Group on Confidence Building Measures to Reduce the Risk of Conflict Stemming from the Use of Information and Communication Technologies and the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies. Together with Malaysia, Australia led efforts to develop an ARF Cyber Points of Contact Directory, which was agreed by Ministers at the 26th ARF on 2 August 2019 in Bangkok. The Directory will facilitate timely communication in the event of a serious cyber incident, thereby reducing the risk of miscommunication, miscalculation and the potential for conflict. Through its Cyber Cooperation Program, Australia supported the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) to mentor new and emerging CERTs in the Pacific in order to strengthen responses to specific instances of malicious cyber activity and enhance cyber security capacity. In 2018-2019, DFAT supported technical capability development of CERTs in Tonga and Vanuatu with direct support grants as part of the Cyber Cooperation Program, as well as funding the creation of the Security Operations Centre (SOC) in the Solomon Islands (see also 3(b)(i) below). In October 2018, ASD’s ACSC was re-elected Chair of the APCERT Steering Committee. With fellow Steering Committee members (from China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan). APCERT is a key to building cyber security cooperation in the Asia Pacific region through information sharing and collaboration. Australia is an active participant of both the UN Group of Governmental Experts (UNGGE) and UN Open Ended Working Group (OEWG). In these fora, we will work to achieve complementary and meaningful outcomes that reduce the risk of conflict, strengthen international peace and security and maintain a peaceful and stable online environment. Cooperative Measures promote collaboration between countries based on a mutual commitment to improve cyber resilience and reinforce a peaceful and stable online environment. a. b. Australia cooperates bilaterally with a wide range of states, including through a high tempo of regional and global bilateral visits and established cyber policy dialogues with ASEAN, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. We are also active participants in regional and multilateral cyber meetings. These visits, dialogues and meetings provide an opportunity to engage openly on national strategies and policies, best practices, decision-making processes, relevant national organisations and measures to improve international cooperation (policy, legislative, and operational). Through its Cyber Cooperation Program (Program), Australia works across the Indo-Pacific to improve cyber resilience and thereby promote international stability, while driving global economic growth and sustainable development. The Program supports Australia’s commitment to deliver on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognises the vital role of digital technologies to achieve a better and more sustainable future www.dfat.gov.au/cyberaffairs esafety.gov.au/parents