Global Mechanism on ICTs in the Context of International Security, first plenary session – 20-24 July 2026
Australian Statement on Capacity Building
Statement delivered by Ms Briony Daley Whitworth, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in New York
23 July 2026
Thank you Chair.
Australia aligns with the statement delivered by Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Chair,
If there is one lesson from the OEWGs and GGEs, it is this: A framework is only as strong as our ability to implement it.
Norms, law, and Confidence-building measures do not implement themselves.
People implement them. Institutions implement them. Capability implements them.
That is why cyber capacity building remains indispensable to international peace and security.
And it is why the creation of DTG2 is one of the most important innovations of our new Mechanism - a dedicated forum focused not only on discussing capacity building, but accelerating it, coordinating it, and making it more effective.
The challenge before us is not a lack of goodwill, expertise, or programmes.
The challenge is how to bring together a mature but fragmented ecosystem of states, regional organisations, international organisations, development partners, industry, academia and civil society and turn it into something greater than the sum of its parts.
That should be our ambition for DTG2.
Australia sees three priorities.
First, we need to listen better.
Capacity building starts with examining assumptions and understanding the needs identified by states and communities themselves.
The OEWG repeatedly recognised that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cyber capacity building and that efforts must be tailored to national circumstances and priorities.
DTG2 should become a platform where states can openly discuss challenges to implementation of our framework, share lessons learned, and help us collectively understand where the most urgent gaps remain.
Second, we need to connect better.
Many of the solutions already exist.
Around the world, governments, development agencies, regional organisations, the private sector, academia and civil society are delivering high-quality cyber capacity-building programmes every day.
Too often, however, those seeking support do not know where to find it.
And those offering support do not always know where it is most needed.
Good ideas remain disconnected from funding, expertise or implementation partners.
DTG2 has a unique opportunity to help bridge those gaps.
Through the Capacity Building Roundtable, through stakeholder engagement, and through DTG2 itself, we can become a platform for coordination, matchmaking and sustainable partnership.
Not duplicating existing efforts. Not competing with them. But connecting them.
Third, we need to build regionally.
The most successful capacity building is often regional.
It is built on shared experiences, shared challenges, and shared trust.
The Pacific knows this. ASEAN knows this. The African Union knows this.
Australia believes DTG2 should actively amplify regional initiatives.
Not because regional work is an alternative to global cooperation. But because it is one of the strongest foundations for it.
Chair,
Perhaps the most important lesson from our previous processes is that cyber capacity building is not aid.
And it is not an optional extra.
It is a strategic investment in collective security.
When one state becomes more resilient, we all become more resilient.
That is why Australia has invested consistently in gender-responsive, rights-respecting, evidence based, and co-designed cyber capacity building across our region.
And it is why we will continue to do so.
As this Mechanism begins its work, Australia stands ready to work with all states, all regions and all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver practical outcomes, measurable progress and lasting partnerships.
Thank you.