Conference on Responsible state behaviour in cyberspace
On November 27, 2019, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute organized a conference on "Responsible state behaviour in cyberspace". Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hung attended and delivered the opening speech. Attending were Ms. Rebecca Bryant, Interim Representative of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cybersecurity agencies of some ASEAN countries.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Hung said that cooperation between ASEAN countries in cyberspace had been paid more attention, contributing to socio-economic promotion and prosperity of the region.
The cyberspace has been considered as the fifth strategic space, alongside four traditional spaces: land, sea, sky and outer space. Currently, we do not have general regulations governing these activities. Therefore, developing laws on cyberspace is necessary but it will take a lot of time and it will not be effective immediately. In this context, it is necessary to discuss the codes of conduct.
In 2018, at the ASEAN Summit, member countries agreed on the principle of 11 codes of conduct and responsibilities of cyberspace. This is an important step in affirming the region's common vision in the absence of internationally accepted cyber law. However, these rules of conduct are just general principles. Therefore, researches and discussions are needed so that these rules can be implemented in reality.
The Deputy Minister highly appreciated the organization of the conference. This is an opportunity for ASEAN member countries to meet and discuss on approaches and offer suitable solutions to implement the principles.
In particular, the event was organized within the framework of Vietnam Information Security Day - an event that attracted more than one thousand guests, creating widespread influence in Vietnam and in the region.
Sharing the opinion of the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Ms. Rebecca Bryant, Interim Representative of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, said that in the context of the increasingly complex global cybersecurity situation, we need to focus on efforts to implement codes of conduct and national responsibility on cyberspace. Specific laws are needed to ensure the cyberspace is safe for all of us. A new secure cyberspace ensures national security, international stability, and promotes sustainable economic growth and development.
At the Conference, the representatives were updated with the latest information on the United Nations discussions related to the codes of conduct and responsibilities; Results of the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cyber Security (AMCC) and ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN); United Nations legal framework on codes of conduct and responsibilities of states on cyberspace; Attempts by the Government of Vietnam to implement codes of conduct in cyberspace in Vietnam.