Commonwealth Countries Set 2020 Agenda To Combat Cybercrime 

At Friday’s convergence of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, leaders from 53 countries agreed to take action on cybersecurity between now and 2020.

The Commonwealth leaders agreed to work closely together to strengthen cybersecurity among member countries.

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Their cybersecurity cooperation led the United Kingdom government to commit up to £15 million to help Commonwealth countries strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities.

The commitment is expected help the Commonwealth countries ‘tackle criminal groups and hostile state actors who pose a global threat to security, including in the UK’.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said during the announcement: “Cyberspace opens up new opportunities for socio-economic development by broadening common space and extending access. There is immense fresh potential for the multiple layers of Commonwealth connection to be used for the common good. The many positive benefits that can be derived are easily undermined and subverted by cybercrime, which has no respect for national boundaries. Commonwealth member countries are working together to strengthen their capacity, individually and collectively, to detect and guard against the debilitating threats cybercrime poses to all many aspects of national, regional and international security.”

The ‘Cyber Declaration’ will allow for the protection of Commonwealth countries’ cyberspace, especially in the areas of economy,  social development, and online rights.

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The declaration will equally help to promote digital inclusion of Commonwealth small states, which account for 31 of the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries.

In his remarks, Head of the Commonwealth Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform, Steven Malby, said, “The Commonwealth Cyber Declaration is a landmark document which builds on the work of the whole family of 53 member countries. It emphasises the important role that the Commonwealth can play in this area at a time when cybersecurity and the protection of people’s rights online is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.”

Mr Malby added, “There is a genuine need for international cooperation and capacity building for law enforcement and criminal justice officials on cybercrime, and this declaration represents a significant step forward in addressing countries’ concerns.”

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