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    Global meet to push diplomacy through cyber space

    Synopsis

    The fifth edition of the conference, GCCS 2017, which will be held in Delhi on November 23-24, is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries.

    ET Bureau
    The Global Conference on Cyberspace, being held in India for the first time, has among its key themes ‘Cyber 4 Diplomacy’, with an aim to discuss joint inter-governmental measures and use of digital tools in the conduct of diplomacy in times of increasing threats from cyberterrorism.

    The fifth edition of the conference, GCCS 2017, which will be held in Delhi on November 23-24, is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from over 100 countries.

    Cyber diplomacy is redefining diplomatic relations among states, international organisations and other international bodies, officials said. Led by the external affairs ministry, they said, the conference will explore various facets of cyber diplomacy and explore measures to jointly combat threats to the cyberspace by non-state actors including radical groups.

    ‘Inter-state Cooperation for Preventing Cyber Warfare’ and ‘Cyber Diplomacy for Global Order’ are some of the other key themes that will be debated by ministerial delegations from 50 countries, people privy to the details said.

    Radicalisation through cyberspace is a growing challenge for countries across the world, said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified. GCCS 2017 would provide a platform to explore deradicalisation initiatives in cyberspace by the participating nations, the person said. In India and elsewhere ISIS and other terror groups have recruited and radicalised youth through cyberspace.

    GCCS is a prestigious global event where international leaders, policymakers, industry experts, think tanks and cyber wizards gather to deliberate on issues and challenges for optimally using cyberspace. The conference was launched with a view to establish internationally agreed “rules of the road” for conduct in cyberspace, and create a more focused and inclusive dialogue between all those with a stake in the internet (governments, civil society and industry) on how to implement them.

    The first edition of GCCS was held in London in 2011. The conference witnessed a participation of 700 global delegates and helped in setting up rules and guidelines for the subsequent editions. The second conference was held in 2012 in Budapest, with a focus on relationship between internet rights and internet security, which was attended by 700 delegates from nearly 60 countries. The third edition of GCCS was held in 2013 in Seoul, focusing on open and secure cyberspace, with participation from 1,600 delegates.

    The fourth version – GCCS 2015 – was held in The Hague, Netherlands. Nearly 1,800 members from about 100 countries participated in this conference and more than 60 countries participated with delegations led at ministerial level. The scale and importance of the event has grown significantly over successive conferences. An institutional mechanism – Global Forum on Cyber Expertise – was set up to enhance capacity building.

    Officials said that the goal of GCCS 2017 is to promote an inclusive cyberspace with focus on policies and frameworks for inclusivity, sustainability, development, security, safety and freedom, technology and partnerships for upholding digital democracy, maximising collaboration for strengthening security and safety, and advocating dialogue for digital diplomacy. GCCS 2017 aims to foster a holistic view of cyberspace, ensuring not only empowerment of individuals but also enabling the governments to achieve national goals of sustainable development.


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