Cyber Diplomacy in the United Nations First Committee

This chapter examines the United Nations (UN) First Committee negotiations on developments in the field of information and telecommunications (ICTs) in the context of international security (The negotiations have changed name on three occasions throughout their lifetime. Originally the topic was negotiated under the banner of developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security. Later, consideration also continued under the name advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace in the context of international security. At the time of writing, these negotiations are currently known as those on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies. For the sake of brevity, the negotiations will be referred to as those on ICTs in international security throughout this chapter.). Divided into three parts, the first provides a general overview of the establishment, objectives, and development of these negotiations. The section thereafter considers the institutional role, objectives, and challenges the UN has faced in fostering cyber diplomacy in the First Committee. Finally, the chapter ends by considering the achievements and future outlook of this cyber diplomacy initiative.