Toespraak van minister Koenders bij de afsluiting van de GCCS2015

Toespraak | 17-04-2015

Dear friends and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Looking back at this conference discussing a topic so intangible and at the same time so broad as cyberspace, it is difficult to find the right words conclude it. If I would have to summarize, it would probably be: still confused, but on a higher level. So thank you for that.

Seriously, let me start with the most important thing, thanking you for your active participation. I am impressed by the quality and intensity of the debates. We have heard many interesting and insightful interventions. The interaction over the past few days proves the importance of the topic at hand. It also proves the merit of the multi stakeholder approach.

We have talked about all aspects of cyberspace. I will highlight some elements for our forward looking agenda.

We started this conference by putting the vision of a free open and secure internet at the centre of our discussions.We strongly believe that the best way to reap the benefits of the internet’s potential while dealing with its challenges. I am proud that as a concrete result of this conference we have strengthened international support for a free, open and secure cyberspace.

Economic Growth and Social Development

The economic potential of the internet is beyond any doubt. It is a major transformative force for the global economy. And has a bright future provided that key conditions are in place. Together, we have to build the right frameworks to promote and enable participation, privacy, innovation, trade, competition and investments. We all have to invest to keep the internet open, free and secure. Or as some might say; ALL of the people, should have access to ALL of the internet, ALL of the time.

Governments, business and civil society all have a role to play in creating a safe environment to do business whilst people’s privacy is respected and their data is protected.

We all have a shared interest and responsibility to ensure that cyberspace remains secure. Public private cooperation has delivered a number of concrete results and the international exchange of best practices in this field should be promoted.We produced toolkits to improve CERT maturity and to implement Responsible Disclosure policies.

Furthermore we all stressed the importance of:

Raising awareness of cyber security in all areas of society is essential.

The development of a collective approach to the protection of critical infrastructure.

Strengthening global cooperation and capacity building to help emerging and existing CSIRTs to increase their capabilities.

We discussed the issue of prosecuting cyber crime eminating from other jurisdictions. States, business and non-governmental organizations can all take measures to make it harder for criminals to commit illegal acts, both in their own country and across national borders. Many participants have shared their experiences and agreed to pursue further cooperation to deny cyber criminals a safe haven.

We discussed a number of possible measures concerning responsible State behavior. They relatef to the protection of national critical infrastructures and critical components of the global internet. On this topic, much work has been done already by the UN Group of Governmental Experts. As the internet has become a strategic asset for all of us, broad international discussion is needed. The Netherlands will remain actively involved in helping to promote this dialogue.

We also discussed the risks of terrorists’ use of the internet, in particular for incitement to violence, and the need to take targeted measures within the framework of the rule of law, rather than broad measures that affect economic and social potential of internet.

On Freedom and privacy: The Internet is a global resource that consists of an infrastructure and data. Both need our protection. This implies that human rights should be at the center of a cybersecurity policy. This is why we have highligted the theme Freedom and Privacy as a key part of the London Process. We want to emphasize that security and freedom are complementary to one another: without privacy there can be no security, and there can be no security without privacy.

At this Conference we have tried to implement these principles to the best of our abilities and we will continue to do so. In building a common vision on cyberspace that incorporates these values, we need to invest in long-term efforts, creative initiatives and new coalitions.

Ladies and gentlemen, actions speak louder than words. I am proud that this conference has also lived up to the challenge to provide concrete practical solutions to cyber challenges.

We have launched yesterday the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise with 45 partners, both from states, intergovernmental organizations as from the private sector. It underlines the importance of capacity building. This is a valuable and lasting result of our conference. I would like to thank all participating members, and invite those that are interested in joining to contact the secretariat of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise. Already, a number of countries have expressed a firm intention to join the GFCE: Tanzania, Tunisia and Ukraine.

An important achievement is the Chair’s Statement, which has received broad support. I will present this document as the Chair’s overview of what we discussed the past days. It also forms a forward looking text with clear ambitions for the future. We appreciate the effort that many of you have put into helping us to achieve this statement.

We have tried to accommodate your views. The full and final text can be read on the website of the conference.

Finally, cyberspace is a topic which requires much further debate. A number of countries, including Indonesia, have informed me of their interest to host the next GCCS. This shows that the journey has only just begun. Hosting these conferences needs to reflect the global dimension of cyberspcace. After conferences in Europe and Asia, it is time to take this process to the Western Hemisphere. And, after fruitfull exchanges of view with partners, I am happy that other candidates support this step.

I am therefore very happy to present at this stage the host that will organize the next Global Conference on CyberSpace.

It is a country with a large experience in cyberspace, with a national cyber strategy that is very ambitious, with a large ICT-sector, a country that stands for internet freedom. I am proud to kindly ask to the stage the delegation leader of Mexico ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola in order to pass the gavel on to Mexico.

I would like to thank Mexico again for their commitment in bringing us all together again in 2017.

Word of thanks

Finally, let me thank those who have worked hard to make this conference a success.

First of all, my special envoy Uri Rosenthal, who has travelled the world to generate support for this conference.

Secondly, the people that made this conference possible:

The GCCS 2015 Project Organisation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which flawlessly managed to organise another big international conference.

Then the team that prepared all the panels we discussed last two days: officials from Ministries of Security and Justice, Economic Affairs and Defense and my own staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Many, many hard-working colleagues that made this conference a resounding success.

Then our partners:

The World Forum Convention Center and Novotel for hosting us this week.

All our contractors for creating an ideal conference environment, including the very inspiring cyber decoration.

The municipality and people of The Hague, the city of Peace and Justice for their cooperation in again succesfully hosting the world.

The national police force and other security services, which guaranteed a safe and secure conference, both in physical as well as cyber terms.

The interpreters for their excellent work.

Finally: thanks to all panelists and to all participants for turning this gathering into a successful meeting.

I wish all of you a safe trip home.