Skopje, 24 October 2023 (MIA) – Cyber security is not solely a technical concern, it’s a highly relevant issue to the people – both as potential targets and key contributors to cyber security. Cyber security is an integral part of OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security, and it is for exactly these reasons that our Chairpersonship placed cyber security very high on its agenda, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in his address Tuesday at the OSCE Conference on Cyber/ICT Security in Skopje, titled “People, Confidence, Resilience: Building Cyber Security for All”.

“ICT and its use doesn’t make us less human. And this is why full compliance with human rights must be a conditio sine qua non even in this domain dominated by machines and their power,” said Osmani.

Osmani said that during 2023, the discussions of this topic within the OSCE have had a multi-stakeholder approach including not only the OSCE participating countries and partners, but also the private sector, academic community, and civil society. To that end, said Osmani, the OSCE’s work on cyber security needs to be situated within the wider international context, starting with the UN’s work on cyber security.

“As a regional organization of the UN, our organization, the OSCE, plays a vital role in promoting dialogue, cooperation, confidence and capacity building to address cyber/ICT security challenges,” said Osmani.

The OSCE Chairperson stressed that the joint approach to cyber threats is even more important considering that “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is also taking place in cyber space, cyber-attacks target Ukrainian government institutions, energy facilities, communication networks, hospitals”.

“This war is an attack on a sovereign nation, but also an assault on the principles of international law and rules-based order that governs our interconnected world. These rules are applicable in cyber space as well,” said Osmani.

Osmani noted that the role of the OSCE participating states is to change the narrative that no country is immune to cyber-attacks, and this, according to him, can be achieved by increasing cooperation and reducing the risk of the wrong perception, escalation, and conflict.

“The month of October is dedicated to cyber security awareness. Having this Conference in Skopje today and tomorrow puts [us] on the global map of strong cyber security supporters. As cyber awareness month teaches us, we must come together and take necessary measures to stay safe and secure in an increasingly connected world,” said Osmani.

With a view to further objectives and with a clear understanding of the significant impact of emerging technologies, AI and others, Osmani said he would recommend to future OSCE chairs to introduce a special representative on emerging technologies.

“The OSCE needs to adopt and develop its capabilities in accordance with contemporary challenges,” said Osmani.

Photo: MFA