CERT.LV Director participates in the UN Open-ended Working Group side event on strengthening national cybersecurity and incident response capacity

This week, on February 18th, in New York, Latvia, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Indonesia and UNIDIR (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research) co-organized a thematic event focused on strengthening national cybersecurity and incident response capacity. The side event took place within the framework of the UN Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) and was dedicated to the exchange of experiences and best practices among countries facing growing cyber threats.

The discussion brought together cybersecurity experts and policymakers to share insights on the challenges and opportunities in developing effective national cybersecurity and incident response mechanisms. The event was opened by Edgars Kiukucāns, Director of the Cybersecurity Policy Department at the Latvian Ministry of Defence, with moderation by Jānis Kārkliņš, Ambassador at Large on the UN Global Agenda at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among the speakers were Samuele Dominioni, a researcher at UNIDIR, who provided a global overview of international incident response preparedness, as well as Carlos Leonardo, Head of the National CSIRT of the Dominican Republic and Baiba Kaškina, Director of CERT.LV, who presented the success stories and approaches of both countries in strengthening their national cybersecurity architecture.

Baiba Kaškina, Director of CERT.LV, emphasized in her presentation:
“International cooperation in cybersecurity is especially important, as incidents do not recognize national borders. To respond effectively to global cyber threats, it is essential to actively participate in international organizations such as FIRST, TF-CSIRT, APCERT and others, and collaboratively develop solutions. Cybersecurity cooperation networks must be built on mutual trust, common goals and close collaboration between countries.”

The discussion emphasized the importance of clear legal frameworks, well-defined operational structures, and adequate resources, including skilled personnel and technical capabilities, for effective national cyber incident response. The role of international cooperation was also highlighted, as it can significantly enhance national efforts. The Open-ended Working Group (OEWG), as noted in its 2024 Annual Progress Report, was recognized as a valuable platform for sharing best practices in this domain.

Concluding the event, Ambassador Hari Prabowo, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the UN, reinforced the significance of cross-regional collaboration in building resilient cybersecurity ecosystems. The insights shared during the discussion provided valuable perspectives on national strategies and underscored the need for continued international cooperation to address emerging cyber threats effectively.

This event was implemented within the framework of Latvia’s public diplomacy program in support of its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The campaign aims to ensure Latvia’s successful election in 2025 for the 2026–2027 term, marking the first time Latvia is running for this position. The campaign’s motto – "Together for Peace and Resilience" – reflects Latvia’s commitment to international cooperation. Membership in the UNSC would be one of the most significant instruments for advancing and protecting Latvia’s foreign policy interests while also strengthening international partnerships and contributing to global peace and resilience.

Source:

https://unidir.org/event/building-national-cybersecurity-and-incident-response-capacity/

https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/latvijas-kandidatura-ano-drosibas-padome-2026-2027