On 2 December 2024, the EU Institute for Security Studies, under the Advancing the Cyber Programme of Action (PoA) project, hosted a side-event during the 9th substantive session of the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021–2025 (OEWG) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The discussion took place against the backdrop of the cybersecurity challenges posed by major international events, such as the Paris Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM), and the G20 Summits. These events not only present significant risks to the cybersecurity ecosystem of host countries but also offer valuable opportunities to strengthen cyber resilience and promote (inter)national cooperation through the mobilisation of both governments and the multistakeholder community.
Titled “Action-oriented Approach to the Protection of Critical Infrastructure — Lessons Learnt in Preparedness from Major International Events”, the event aimed to explore how exchanges at the UN level can help share lessons from these high-profile events, promote the global adoption of best practices, and translate them into actionable strategies for strengthening cyber resilience worldwide.
Discussions underscored the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting Critical Infrastructure (CI) and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), as well as the urgent need for international cooperation and cyber capacity-building (CCB). The event also explored how a future, permanent UN mechanism for ICT security discussions can advance the protection of CI and CII through an action-oriented and cross-cutting approach. Additionally, participants discussed actionable recommendations for incorporating CI and CII protection into OEWG discussions and the future UN mechanism for ICT security discussions.
As the 2021–2025 OEWG mandate draws to a close, this side event provided a timely opportunity to reflect on future directions for global cybersecurity governance. By bringing together cross-regional experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, the discussion contributed to shaping an inclusive, action-driven approach to CI and CII protection in the evolving international security landscape.