UN ICT security forum discusses procedures amid disagreement over facilitator roles
Member states at a UN meeting on ICT security debated procedural rules and the appointment of group facilitators, reflecting differing positions on how the new forum should operate.
The United Nations Global Mechanism on ICT security held its third organisational meeting, focusing on how the newly established forum will operate in practice.
The session, chaired by Egriselda López, addressed procedural issues such as decision-making rules, meeting schedules for 2026, and the structure of two thematic groups that will support the forum’s work.
The Mechanism is a permanent UN platform where countries discuss how to manage security risks related to information and communication technologies. Its work includes topics such as cyber threats, international rules for state behaviour, and capacity development.
A key issue during the meeting was how to appoint co-facilitators for the two thematic groups, one on ICT security challenges and another on capacity development. The Chair proposed appointing them while considering geographic balance.
However, some countries, including Russia, Iran, China, and Belarus, argued that such appointments should be decided by consensus among all member states. Others, including the European Union, the United States, and Australia, supported the Chair’s approach and stressed the need to move forward with preparations.
Delegations also discussed how non-government actors, such as civil society, companies, and academic institutions, would participate. Their role is expected to be consultative, while formal decisions remain with governments.
Discussions on the agenda for future meetings also revealed differences. Some countries requested changes to better reflect the forum’s mandate, while others supported the structure proposed by the Chair, which is based on existing UN frameworks for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
The meeting ended without agreement on key issues, including facilitator appointments and the agenda. Further consultations are expected ahead of the first substantive session scheduled for July 2026.
