India: UNODC Joins Forces with India's Ministry of Home Affairs for the G20 Conference on Cyber Security

Gurugram, India/14 July 2023: The fight against cybercrime took center stage as UNODC partnered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for the pioneering G20 Conference on 'Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI and Metaverse.' The three-day conference, a first of its kind, brought together over 900 participants from G20 countries, 9 special invitee countries, international bodies, tech leaders, and experts, aiming to forge alliances in safeguarding the digital space.

Amidst the backdrop of rapid technological advancements, the Honorable Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah, inaugurated the event with a resolute focus on countering emerging cyber challenges and ensuring a safer digital environment for all. Emphasizing the significance of multilateral cooperation, he highlighted the necessity of collective action in securing nations from cyber threats.

UNODC's Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Bo Mathiasen, added to the call for global cooperation, urging Member States to collaborate in crafting a UN framework to counter the criminal misuse of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The inherently transnational nature of cyber challenges demands a united effort to effectively combat cybercrime.

With a technical presentation, Mr. Mathiasen underscored the importance of the UN Global Digital Compact, urging for robust global cooperation to develop mechanisms against the criminal exploitation of ICT. He called upon nations to finalize such an international framework, solidifying their commitment to cyber safety.

The conference also witnessed the Home Minister's launch of the Cyber Volunteer Squads from 7 premier educational institutions in India. These specially identified volunteers will spearhead cyber awareness initiatives, identify and report harmful content, and offer technical assistance to build a cyber-safe society.

With India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and guidance from Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, prioritizing the establishment of a Cyber Safe India, the Ministry of Home Affairs places building a secure cyberspace at the forefront of its agenda. As the digital landscape in India expands rapidly, with over 840 million individuals already having an online presence and an estimated 400 million more to join by 2025, the potential for cyber threats escalates simultaneously. Global trends indicate that cybercrimes like ransomware, phishing, online scams, child sexual abuse, and hacking pose serious threats worldwide, demanding a robust 24x7 cyber security mechanism for predictive, preventive, protective, and recovery actions.

The evolving nature of the Cyber Threat Landscape transcends national boundaries, necessitating cooperation and information sharing among nations, organizations, and stakeholders to effectively combat cybercrimes. Addressing the rise in cybercrime involving digital currency, the conference stressed the need for a 'dedicated common channel' among nations to prevent financial irregularities. Additionally, third-party verification of NFT platforms was highlighted to enhance trust and curb criminal activities.

While the global landscape continues to evolve, UNODC remains at the forefront, working with Member States to develop innovative frameworks for collective action in securing the digital realm.

This activity contributed to SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/

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