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

[richard jordan]

Rik, If I am not in error, there was a GA Resolution that created some type of cyber security working group that was to report back to the SG?? Not sure of this exactly, but pretty certain that this was a mandate and did not appear all of a sudden.

Richard

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rik Panganiban" <rikp at earthlink.net>
> To: "wsis-cs-plenary" <plenary at wsis-cs.org>
> Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] SG stresses cyber-security in statement on World Information Society Day
> Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 09:23:13 -0400
> 
> 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 PanganibanRikomatic.com
> 26 April 2006
> [IMAGE]
> 
> Secretary-GeneralSG/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"
> << un60_en.jpg >>

>