Geneva Dialogue | The launch of the Geneva Manual

7 Dec 2023, 10:00h - 16:00h

Hybrid event, In-situ/Geneva and online

Vulnerabilities in digital products and networks leading to cyberthreats raise security concerns from individual users to international security and peace. While States hold primary responsibility, meaningful cooperation with non-state actors, such as the private sector, academia, civil society, and the technical community, is crucial to foster a secure, open, and peaceful cyberspace. However, what are those other actors expected to do? Where and how can they support states in ensuring the security and stability in cyberspace?

Join us on December 7th for the launch of the Geneva Manual – a comprehensive guide on non-state actors’ contributions to the implementation of cyber norms.

The Geneva Manual will undergo continuous development in the years ahead to encompass a wide range of cyber norms, guided by discussions with the multistakeholder community.

Established by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and led by DiploFoundation, with support of the Republic and State of Geneva, C4DT, Swisscom and UBS, the Geneva Dialogue particularly asks how the norms and confidence-building measures (CBMs) might be best operationalised (or implemented) by relevant actors as a means to contribute to international security and peace.

Programme

09:45 – 10:00 (CET)

Welcome coffee

10:00 – 10:05

Introduction: Setting the scene

10:05 – 10:30

Opening remarks

H.E. Mr Benedikt Wechsler, Ambassador and Head of the Digital Division, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP)
Mr Florian Schütz, Federal Cyber Security Delegate and Head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
H.E. Mr Burhan Gafoor, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations in New York, Chair of the UN Open-Ended Working Group

10:30 – 11:45

The Geneva Manual & cyber norms

Presentation of the Geneva Manual

Ms Anastasiya Kazakova, Cyber Diplomacy Knowledge Fellow at Diplo Foundation

Discussion: What do relevant stakeholders have to say about their roles and responsibilities in implementing the norms?

Mr Daniel Klingele, Senior Advisor, International Security Division, FDFA and Swiss representative to the UN OEWG
Ms Katherine Getao, Cyber Hygiene, Cyber Diplomacy, and ICT Strategy and Governance Consultant, former CEO of ICT Authority in Kenya and the Kenyan representative to the UN GGE
Mr Xiang Zheng Teo, Vice President of Advisory, Consulting, Ensign InfoSecurity
Ms Madison Q. Oliver, Advisory Curation Manager, GitHub Security Labs
Mr Juan Pablo Parra, Researcher of the Civic Participation Area, Karisma Foundation
Mr Jan Martin Lemnitzer, Assistant Professor, Department of Digitalization, Copenhagen Business School

Moderated by Mr Vladimir Radunović, Director, E-diplomacy and Cybersecurity Programmes at DiploFoundation.

11:45 – 12:00

Coffee break

12:00 – 13:30

Testing the Manual: Simulation exercise

Imagine: A critical vulnerability in the software code underpinning important ICT systems around the world has been discovered. Dire consequences are looming. We all need to act – and act fast. Time to test the Geneva Manual!

13:30 – 14:30

Lunch

14:30 – 16:00

Panel discussion: Tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities: Can norms and regulations keep pace with emerging technology?

Ms Annie Machon, Formerly MI5, currently a privacy campaigner, author, media commentator, and international public speaker
Mr Moctar Yedaly, Former Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Government of Mauritania
Ms Anita Lamprecht, Active member and ambassador of the non-profit legal think tank Liquid Legal Institute e.V.

Moderated by Mr Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP).

16:00 – 16:20