On 4 and 6 November, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department held its third annual training event on international cyber diplomacy in Vienna, Austria. The event gathered 26 participants from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus and Mongolia to build national capacities to engage in international cyber policy deliberations.
“Inclusivity helps us to make the most of the different expertise and perspectives available, as well as to secure broader support for solutions by ensuring more parties are brought into them from the outset – whether that is regional solutions here at the OSCE or global solutions at the UN,” said Eleanor Rees, the Deputy Head of Cyber Policy Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom.
The first edition of this training event was organized in 2022 to underline the importance of participating in international discussions on cyberspace. As these discussions grow in both significance and complexity, it is essential for all states to develop a good understanding of the issues discussed, and to have the resources required to make meaningful contributions.
„While the OSCE mainly focuses on confidence-building measures in cyberspace, our capacity-building activities support the broader implementation of the international framework of responsible state behaviour. This approach resonates with OSCE participating States, as shown by the strong interest in attending this training event” said Szilvia Toth, Cyber Security Officer at the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.
Speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom as the main activity sponsor, Ms. Rees added that “the UK is delighted to be supporting this third edition of the OSCE’s cyber diplomacy training, which is happily becoming something of an annual tradition. We also supported the first edition back in 2022 and it is great to see how the programme has evolved, meaning that it hopefully remains accessible to colleagues attending for the first time but also offers new elements for those participants returning for the second or third time”.
The training event, organized on the margins of the OSCE’s Informal Working Group established by Permanent Council Decision No. 1039 on the development of confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies, was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures” project, with the support of the United Kingdom.
VIENNA, 7 November — OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg, will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania from 10 to 13 November.
He will start his visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10 November. During his visit to the country, Chair-in-Office Borg will meet with Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, the Collegium of both Parliamentary Assembly Houses, and the Council of Ministers Chairperson, Borjana Krišto. The Chair will deliver opening remarks at an event marking the 30th anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina signing the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. He will also meet with civil society organizations in Konjic and visit the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 12 November, Chair-in-Office Borg will visit Montenegro, where he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović. During his visit he will also visit the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and meet with civil society organizations.
In the afternoon, the Chair will travel to North Macedonia, where he will meet with Speaker of the Assembly Afrim Gashi, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, and Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski. He will also attend a meeting with the OSCE Troika, together with the Foreign Ministers of North Macedonia and Finland. During his trip, Chair-in-Office Borg will also visit the OSCE Mission to Skopje and will meet with civil society organizations.
On 13 November, the final day of his visit, Chair-in-Office Borg will travel to Albania. He will meet with President Bajram Begaj, and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani. Chair-in-Office Borg will also visit the OSCE Presence in Albania and will meet with representatives from civil society organizations.
Press Opportunities
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 11 November from 10:30 to 10:45 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An invitation will follow from the MFA.
In Montenegro, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 12 November from 10:00 to 10:15 at Villa Gorica. An invitation will follow from the MFA.
In North Macedonia Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 12 November from 17:30 to 17:45 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An invitation will follow from the MFA.
In Albania, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 13 November from 10:15 – 10:30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Statements will be made available by the MFA.