[WSIS CS-Plenary] SG stresses cyber-security in statement on World Information Society Day

[Rik Panganiban]

Here is Kofi Annan's statement on the first World Information Society  
Day, yesterday.

His emphasis on "cyber-security" is perhaps not surprising.  However  
it would have been better in my view if he had taken the opportunity  
to all stress the importance of ICTs to enhance human security.  I.e.  
the work that the Swiss and Bill Drake did developing the ICTs for  
Peace web portal, initiatives to create computer games that promote  
conflict resolution and cooperation like "Peacemaker" that simulates  
the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, and the virtual "Darfur camp" in  
the online 3D universe of Second Life that raises awareness of the  
Sudanese conflict and links you to groups trying to make a difference  
there.

Instead the SG talked about e-commerce and cyber-criminals.  That's  
probably the safest theme he could have chosen for the first year of  
the Information Society Day. But it would be nice if we moved on from  
these old state-centric views on security toward solutions that  
really effect people's lives on the ground.

Rik Panganiban
Rikomatic.com


26 April 2006


Secretary-General
SG/SM/10433
OBV/553
PI/1711

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New  
York
IN MESSAGE FOR WORLD INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY, SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS

FOR INTERNATIONAL COUNTERMEASURES TO ENHANCE CYBERSECURITY


Following is UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message on World  
Information Society Day, observed 17 May:

The annual observance of World Telecommunication Day, marking the  
founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 17 May  
1865, has drawn attention to the work of ITU and the broader  
challenges of global communication.  From the days of the telegraph  
through space-age communication, and now in cyberspace, ITU has  
helped to connect the world.

In recognition of this evolution, the World Summit on the Information  
Society, which was held in two phases (in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis  
in 2005), proposed that 17 May henceforth be celebrated as World  
Information Society Day.  The Summit’s aim was to build an open,  
inclusive, people-centred, knowledge-based information society that  
will accelerate the pace of development.  This occasion now  
highlights the link between the great potential of information and  
communication technologies (ICT) and our goal of accelerating the  
pace of development.

The Summit recognized the importance of building confidence and trust  
in the use of ICT.  This is reflected in the theme for this year’s  
observance, “promoting global cybersecurity”.  In an increasingly  
interconnected and networked world, it has become critically  
important to safeguard our vital systems and infrastructures against  
attack by cybercriminals, while instilling confidence in online  
transactions in order to promote trade, commerce, banking,  
telemedicine, e-government and a host of other e-applications.  As  
this depends on the security practices of each and every networked  
country, business and citizen, we need to develop a global culture of  
cybersecurity.

I therefore urge all Member States and stakeholders to help increase  
global awareness of cybersecurity, and to develop an international  
network of initiatives and ICT-based countermeasures to enhance  
security and build trust in the use of information and communication  
technologies.  This is essential for the continued growth and  
development of our economies, and especially important for developing  
countries.

On this first World Information Society Day, let us all pledge to  
connect the unconnected and build a free and safe information society  
that will spur development for all the world’s people.

* *** *


=-=-= -=-=- =-=-= -=-=- =-=-= -=-=- =-=-= --=-=-  --=-=-
   Rik Panganiban   email:  rikomatic at yahoo.com
                    web:    http://rikomatic.com

   "International Man of Action and Large Pants"


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