Second Open Consultation on the draft Guidelines for utilization of the GCA
ITU
Session 192
Your opportunity to help shape the dialogue on global cybersecurity. Join us on 01 March 2021 to share your views and expertise on the Draft Guidelines for utilization of the Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA).
All WSIS stakeholders are invited to join the Second Online Open Consultation on 1 March, from 13h00 to 14h30 CET, to give their feedback and help shape the Draft Guidelines. Taking into account the inputs received, a revised version of the Draft Guidelines will be available on the ITU website by 07 May.
About the GCA
As Facilitator of Action Line C5, ITU launched the Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) in 2007 as a framework for international cooperation in this area. The ICT landscape has changed drastically since then, with ICTs now underpinning every sector of society and the bulk of critical infrastructure. The COVID-19 crisis has also emphasized the need to address the rapidly evolving and critical cybersecurity challenges that are posed by society’s high degree of dependence on ICTs.
The 2019 session of Council instructed the Secretary-General, in parallel, to submit to the next Council session (1) a report explaining how the ITU is currently utilizing the Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) framework and (2) with the involvement of Member States, appropriate guidelines developed for utilization of the GCA by the ITU for Council's consideration and approval (C19/117, C19/58).
Developing the guidelines
As per the process for developing the Draft Guidelines, online open consultations are being held for all WSIS stakeholders to provide feedback on the Draft Guidelines. The First Online Open Consultation was held in April 2020 with the revised Draft Guidelines being posted on the website on 5 May 2020.
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
The GCA was launched in 2007 as a framework for international cooperation to support ITU’s role as sole facilitator of Action Line C5, "Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs".
It continues to offer a broad framework for international cooperation on cybersecurity within the framework of the WSIS outcome documents, particularly the principles outlined under Action Line C5.
The GCA has well served ITU’s efforts in building confidence and security in the use of ICTs, and as a framework, it is applicable across global, regional and national levels.
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Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
ICTs hold a tremendous promise to drive progress across each and every one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but unlocking their full potential will require providing universal, trustworthy, and safe access to - and use - of the ICT ecosystem.
Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs is essential to advance the 2030 Agenda, however, it requires unprecedented global cooperation and dialogue. This is where the GCA comes in – as a broad framework for international cooperation on cybersecurity, the GCA plays a critical role towards harmonizing efforts and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the challenges associated with safe, trusted and inclusive ICT development. Developing guidelines to better utilize the GCA will ensure that it keeps pace with the rapid advancements in technology and can be implemented accordingly.
Guidelines for utilization of the GCA webpage:
https://www.itu.int/en/action/cybersecurity/Pages/gca-guidelines.aspx