UNIDIR and the Government of Mauritius are hosting the pre-launch of Mauritius’ national position on international law in cyberspace, held as a side event to the Global Mechanism on developments in the field of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the context of international security.
In 2013, the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (GGE) agreed that international law applies to the State use of ICTs. Since then, States have sought to negotiate common understandings on how international law applies to State behaviour in the digital environment and continue doing so at the Global Mechanism on ICT security.
To facilitate these exchanges, the GGE as well as the Open-Ended Working Groups have repeatedly called on Member States to continue to voluntarily share their national statements and State practice on how international law applies in the use of ICTs, and called for “additional efforts, including within the United Nations, to build capacity in the areas of international law”.
Mauritius has recently developed its national position on international law in cyberspace, supported by a capacity-building collaboration with UNIDIR. Mauritius will join 36 States and two regional organizations with published positions, and become the first African Union member to do so following the 2024 Common African Position.
This side event will explore Mauritius’ process, lessons learned, the link between national and regional positions, and the roles of the Global Mechanism and capacity-building in advancing shared understanding.
Agenda
13:15 – 13:25 | Opening keynote address
13:25 – 13:45 | The experience of Mauritius in developing its national position: The utility of developing national views and the process of drafting Mauritius’ national position
13:45 – 13:55 | From national to regional positions: The Common African Position and its relationship with positions in the African Union
13:55 – 14:10 | Capacity-building for the development of national positions on the application of international law in cyberspace
14:10 – 14:25 | Interactive Q&A with the audience
14:25 – 14:30 | Closing remarks
Speakers
Opening remarks: The Honourable Dr Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation of Mauritius
Speakers
- Dr Kaleem Ahmed Usmani, Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius
- Selvana Naiken Gopalla, Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius
- Dr Mohamed Helal, African Union Commission on International Law
- Dominique Steinbrecher, UNIDIR
Moderated by Andrea Gronke, UNIDIR
When and where
Monday, 20 July 2026 | 13:15 – 14:30 EST | In person (Conference Room 12, United Nations Headquarters, New York).
Check your local time here.
Participants
The event is open to everyone. Please note that participants joining us in person must have a valid visitor pass or long-term badge to enter United Nations Headquarters, as UNIDIR is unable to facilitate entry arrangements.
RSVP
For in-person participation please register here.
Further information
For any questions, please contact Dominique Steinbrecher at dominique.steinbrecher@un.org.
In partnership with
