Cyberdiplomacy as an important tool for international cooperation

On Friday, July 25, a plenary session on “Cyberdiplomacy, Cybersecurity, Digital Development and Innovation” was held in Kyiv as part of the Meeting of Heads of Foreign Diplomatic Missions of Ukraine.

The participants of the session discussed current challenges in the field of digital security, the role of digital diplomacy in international deterrence of aggressors and the need for global coordination. The session also highlighted the issues of disinformation, hybrid threats, critical infrastructure protection, and strengthening the role of diplomats in the digital environment.

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine was represented by Natalia Tkachuk, Head of the Information Security and Cybersecurity Service, Secretary of the National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity.

In her speech, Natalia Tkachuk emphasized that cyber aggression has been a part of Russia's war against Ukraine for over 11 years. She emphasized the importance of consolidating international efforts to counter cyber threats and shared the experience of cooperation with relevant European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. At the same time, she emphasized the uniqueness of the Ukrainian experience, which allows Ukraine to position itself as a leading actor in the field of cybersecurity.

"Cyber diplomacy today is not a concept of the future, but a real tool for protecting national interests in the global digital space. The formation of effective international partnerships in the field of cybersecurity is one of the key factors that will determine the digital resilience of the democratic world, and Ukraine should play a leading role here," said Natalia Tkachuk.

The discussion at the panel was another step towards the formation of a coherent approach to digital security in the international context, which is of particular relevance to Ukraine's foreign policy.