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Jakarta hosts experts’ workshop on EU-Indonesia strategy on advancing implementation of UN norms on responsible state behaviour in cyberspace

• The 11 UN norms of responsible state behaviour are the foundations for collective expectations for state behaviour in cyberspace.
• An output of the regular EU-Indonesia Security and Defence Dialogue, the workshop reflected on foreign policy responses to trans-border cyber threats, focusing on opportunities for EU-Indonesia cooperation.

Jakarta, 6 June, 2024: Officials and cybersecurity experts from the European Union (EU) and the Indo-Pacific participated in a workshop on the EU-Indonesia strategy on advancing implementation of the UN framework on responsible state behaviour.

The track 1.5 workshop focussed particularly on the implementation of the 11 norms of responsible state behaviour, which are the foundations for collective expectations for state behaviour in cyberspace.

An outcome of the regular EU-Indonesia Security and Defence Dialogue, the day-long meeting reflected on foreign policy responses to trans-border cyber threats, focusing on opportunities for EU-Indonesia cooperation.

The event was co-organised by the EU Delegation to Indonesia, Indonesia’s National Cyber and Crypto Agency (Badan Siber dan Sandi Negara / BSSN), and the EU security and defence project Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA).

In true #TeamEurope spirit, speakers at the activity represented the Hybrid Threats and Cyber Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Estonian Ministry of Justice, and the University of Lodz, Poland. Other high-level speakers came from BSSN’s Directorate of Policy of Governance of Cybersecurity and Cryptography, Google Cloud Indonesia, Monash University, and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

Representatives from Indonesia’s Directorate for American and European Intra and Inter-regional Cooperation, and the Directorate of International Security and Disarmament from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also participated in the workshop.

Stéphane Mechati, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Indonesia, said: “In a context where malicious behaviour in cyberspace from both State and non-State actors has intensified over recent years with particular concern about the resilience of cyber-enabled critical infrastructure, we in the European Union remain committed to further strengthening of operational collaboration with Indonesia on cyber security.”

“This experts’ workshop is further proof that the EU is committed to working together with Indonesia to enhance our cyber security and resilience, so that we can reap the benefits of an open, stable and secure cyberspace. Indeed, there is a strong need for a stable multi-lateral environment where the international community can continue its work to implement and advance the UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace,” he added.

Sigit Kurniawan, Director of Strategy of Cybersecurity and Cryptography at BSSN, said: “Indonesia and the European Union face similar cyber threats and share common cyber security interests. The European Union and Indonesia both support a single, open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, which respects the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

“We should continue to strengthen cybersecurity by promoting the rules-based order, grounded in the application of international law and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace,” he stated.

The experts’ workshop, hosted in Jakarta on June 5, focussed on strengthening cooperation in implementing measures to increase security in cyberspace; promoting national and regional efforts for protection of critical information infrastructure; reinforcing cybersecurity ecosystems and cooperation in response to cyber incidents; and developing frameworks for improving situational awareness and attribution mechanisms.

The EU and its Member States have considerable experiences and have committed significant resources to implementing the 11 UN voluntary norms of state behaviour. Adoption and implementation of voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible state behaviour contributes to enhancing security, reducing risks to international peace, security and stability and safeguarding a single, open, free, and stable cyberspace. Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communications technologies.

The EU and Indonesia have jointly hosted several track 1.5 dialogues in the format of high-level workshops. In June 2021, the EU and Indonesia hosted an online webinar on CBMs in cyberspace. In October 2022, ESIWA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia in partnership with Indonesian BSSN implemented a seminar for cybercrime practitioners in the country, examining how to deter and respond to cybercrime.

Background documents on the UN norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace

• Background to UN Discussions on Responsible State Behaviour
• Guidance on implementation for Member States of ASEAN

About ESIWA

The ESIWA project works to enhance the EU’s security and defence cooperation with the Indo-Pacific in four thematic areas: counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management, cyber security, and maritime security. The project is co-funded by the European Union, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. ESIWA is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) & Expertise France.

In the domain of cyber security, ESIWA aims to strengthen resilience, share norms, knowledge and skills, and build trusted relationships.

Previous ESIWA activities in Indonesia have covered maritime security, standard minimum rules for the treatment of children, application of international law to cyberspace, good practice to respond to cybercrime, anti-money laundering & countering terrorism financing, crisis management, connecting women working in counterterrorism law enforcement, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) handbook book tours, support to the development of Indonesia's Knowledge Hub on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (#IKHub), and the repatriation of children from displacement camps of North-East Syria. From September 2020, ESIWA began to support the EU Delegation in Jakarta and the implementation of the EU Activity Plan. In 2023, ESIWA implemented 11 workshops, roundtables and seminars under the EU Activity Plan, involving almost 500 participants.