UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2025 took place on 12 May in a hybrid format at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and online under the theme “Crisis Averted: Cyber Resilience in Action”.

Held as a flagship event of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week, the conference introduced a scenario-based exercise set in the fictional region of “Dystopia” to examine how ICT incidents can escalate into systemic, cross-border disruptions. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2024 took place on 29 February and 1 March in a hybrid format at UN Headquarters in New York and online under the theme “Unpacking Cyber Threats to International Peace and Security”.

The conference emphasized the growing complexity of the cyber threat landscape, driven by technological advancements in AI and quantum computing. It underscored the dual-use nature of AI and the necessity of adapting to the evolving threat environment, the diversification of threat actors, and the increased risks to critical infrastructure. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2023 took place on 3 March in a hybrid format at UN Headquarters in New York and online under the theme “Use of ICTs by States: Rights and Responsibilities Under the UN Charter”.

The conference focused on how international law, and in particular the UN Charter, applies to the use of ICTs by States. Participants examined key legal concepts such as the use of force, armed attack and self-defence, the role and powers of the UN Security Council and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Discussions also highlighted national interpretations and State practice, as well as areas of convergence and divergence, with a view to informing ongoing multilateral deliberations. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2022 took place on 5 July in a hybrid format at Campus Biotech in Geneva and online under the theme “Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Services Across Sectors”.

The conference examined the growing scale and complexity of malicious ICT activities targeting critical infrastructure. Through cross-sectoral discussions spanning healthcare, trade and finance, ICT and transport and energy and water, participants explored how to strengthen protection of essential services and advance multilateral efforts to address cyber risks to international peace and security. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2021 took place on 3 December in a hybrid format at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and online under the theme “Towards a More Secure Cyberspace”.

Held at a pivotal moment for UN cyber diplomacy, the conference examined the outcomes of the UN Group of Governmental Experts and the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG), as well as the launch of the first-ever OEWG with a five-year mandate. Discussions focused on how to build on past successes and define priorities for advancing an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2020 took place on 28 September in a hybrid format at the Hotel Intercontinental in Geneva and online under the theme “Exploring the Future of Institutional Dialogue”.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving digital threat landscape, the conference focused on the future of institutional dialogue related to ICT and international security and stability. Participants examined the urgency, purposes and goals of dialogue in cyberspace, drawing lessons from other areas of global governance and addressing practical questions on process design, inclusivity and the assessment of outcomes. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2019 took place on 6 June at UN Headquarters in New York under the theme “Strengthening Global Engagement”.

Held in the context of the establishment of a new Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) and a sixth UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE), the conference examined the state of multilateral discussions on global cybersecurity policy norms. Participants explored how the GGE and the OEWG processes could produce complementary outcomes, assessed the risks posed by mounting cyber threats and discussed how multi-stakeholder engagement and capacity-building could strengthen cooperation and advance efforts to promote a secure and stable cyberspace within the UN framework.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2018 took place on 26 September in Geneva under the theme “Preventing and Mitigating ICT-Related Conflict”.

With a focus on identifying options and pathways to prevent and mitigate ICT-related conflict, the conference assessed State strategies and practice, regional developments, and private sector engagement, as well as prospects for reinvigorating multilateral efforts. Participants reflected on the gap between collective aspirations and State practice and explored approaches involving different stakeholders to help narrow it and strengthen cyber stability. Watch the full conference on YouTube.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Conference 2017 took place on 11 October at UN Headquarters in New York on the margins of the First Committee of the General Assembly, under the theme “ICTs in the Context of International Peace and Security: Current Conditions and Future Approaches”.

The conference examined divergent views on the application of international law to States’ use of ICTs and explored potential pathways for advancing discussions at the UN and beyond. Participants considered recent developments, including the conclusion of the 2016-2017 Group of Governmental Experts without consensus and reflected on the implications for responsible ICT use, confidence- and capacity-building measures and multiple stakeholder cooperation to strengthen stability in cyberspace.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Seminar 2016 took place on 17 June in Geneva under the theme “Taking Security Forward—Building on the 2015 Report of the GGE”.

The seminar explored how the international community can operationalize and build upon the 2013 and 2015 Group of Governmental Experts reports, which reaffirmed the applicability of international law in cyberspace and introduced voluntary norms for responsible State behaviour.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Seminar 2015 took place on 9 July in Geneva under the theme “Regime Coherence”.

The seminar focused on coordinating ongoing and future norm-setting initiatives to support a coherent global approach to cyber stability. Participants discussed how States, industry and other stakeholders can align strategic goals, avoid unintentional conflicts between initiatives and promote a stable and secure cyber environment.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Stability Seminar 2014 took place on 10 February in Geneva under the theme “Preventing Cyber Conflict”.

With a focus on practical measures to promote a stable and predictable cyber environment, participants discussed the risks of escalation in cyber conflicts and explored mechanisms for dialogue, education and constructive engagement to enhance cyber stability at the multilateral level.

UNIDIR’s Cyber Security Conference 2012 took place from 8-9 November in Geneva under the theme “The Role of Confidence-Building Measures in Assuring Cyber Stability”.

The conference focused on the role of confidence-building measures (CBMs) in promoting security and stability in cyberspace. Participants explored practical approaches for encouraging trust, dialogue and cooperation among States and discussed how CBMs can support transparency and reduce risks in the evolving digital environment.