The year 2026 represents a pivotal moment for multilateral engagement on information and communications technology (ICT) security. States are ramping up their efforts to adapt to a rapidly evolving threat landscape, not least through the launch of the new permanent Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs.
UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference will take place against this backdrop, focusing on the theme of “Cyber governance in an era of technological revolution: Past lessons, present realities and future frontiers”. This year’s conference will explore how cyber governance can adapt to rapid technological change, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, ensuring that governance and technological development advance in parallel to safeguard international security.
The conference will leverage this historic moment to reflect on lessons learned, assess the current landscape and explore fruitful pathways for global cyber governance in the years and decades to come. It will examine past, present and potential future trajectories of ICT security, analysing technological evolution, governance responses and their combined effects on international ICT security.
Held during Geneva Cyber Week, the Cyber Stability Conference 2026 will convene experts from government, industry, academia and civil society to chart strategies for a more stable and secure digital future.
When and where
Monday, 4 May and Tuesday, 5 May | Amphitheatre D, Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG), Geneva, and online.
Agenda
Monday, 4 May 2026
11:30 – 11:40 | Opening remarks
11:40 – 12:00 | Keynote address
12:00 – 12:45 | Session 1 – The digital revolution: key technological turning points
12:45 – 13:45 | Lunch
13:45 – 15:00 | Session 2 – Two decades of multilateral cyber governance
15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee
15:30 – 16:15 | Session 3 – AI as a transformative force in ICT security
16:15 – 17:45 | Session 4 – Governing the cyber–AI nexus: Where the OEWG 2021–2025 left off
- 16:15 – 17:00 | First moderated discussion: A shifting threat landscape — opportunities and risks
- 17:00 – 17:45 | Second moderated discussion: Adapting the Framework for an AI-augmented environment
17:45 – 17:50 | Closing of day 1
Tuesday, 5 May 2026
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome to day 2
09:45 – 10:30 | Session 5 – Quantum computing, AI agents and the next paradigm shift
10:30 – 10:45 | Coffee
10:45 – 12:20 | Session 6 – Charting the future of global cyber governance
- 10:45 – 11:15 | First moderated discussion: The role of the Global Mechanism in ensuring long-term stability in addressing evolving threats
- 11:15 – 11:45 | Second moderated discussion: Strengthening trust and building capacity in the future technological era
- 11:45 – 12:20 | Third moderated discussion: Building resilient and inclusive governance frameworks for emerging technologies
12:20 – 12:30 | Closing keynote address
12:30 – 12:45 | Conference closing remarks
Participants
UNIDIR encourages the participation of national representatives and other experts interested in digital technologies in the context of international peace and security.
RSVP
To attend the event in person or online, please register here by Wednesday, 29 April.
For online participants, access to the event will be shared with registered participants one day prior to the conference.
For in-person participants, a valid access badge is required to enter the CICG. Register here by Thursday, 30 April 2026 to secure your access to the venue.
Further information
For questions, please contact sectec-unidir@un.org.