The Rise of the Regionals: How Regional Organisations Contribute to International Cyber Stability Negotiations at the United Nations Level

Abstract

While States did not reach consensus on the 2017 report by the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (UN GGE), the UN remains a core platform for diplomatic deliberations on international law, norms and principles for responsible state behaviour. At the same time, regional organisations play an increasingly important role in stabilising State relations in cyberspace. Their relevance is also recognised in the new UN GGE mandate for 2019–2021. For the first time, the UN GGE negotiations include a formal way of embracing regional cyber expertise, knowledge and concerns, albeit they are ambivalent about how the envisaged input will be incorporated into the UN GGE process. The paper argues that regional organisations should and are willing to increase their substantial input to the global debates on international cyber stability. Specifically, we analyse the benefits of the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), undertaken in the context of Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs). In addition to global platforms, we see great potential in interregional collaboration. Moreover, the paper points out a number of suggestions which would enhance the inclusion of regional organisations' efforts into UN GGE; and potentially, also into the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) negotiations. More effective norm development and CBM implementation can be achieved by carefully assessing the pros and cons of various venues and formats as well as taking advantage of existing synergies between UN initiatives and regional CBM and capacity-building initiatives. Regional organisations have better insights into national or regional priorities; while domestic implementation frameworks may be developed by regional organisations for faster CBM and norm implementation procedures, and possibly allow for additional funding for priority areas. Regional roadmaps should be developed for more effective norm and CBM development, while joint implementation efforts could foster the global uptake of norms. Furthermore, regional organisations may serve as incubators for new ideas and share valuable experience of lessons learned.