Delivering his address, Hon Biyiti Bi Essam referred to the central role Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play in economic development. He referred to the evidence which suggests that a 10% growth in broadband penetration contributes to the growth of Gross Domestic Product by 1.38%, but also noted that this growth can only be realised if the ICT channels remain safe, secure and resilient. Inviting the delegates to take advantage of the impressive line up of speakers whose expertise covers almost every aspect of Cybersecurity; Hon Biyiti Bi Essam encouraged the CTO to continue to help the Commonwealth build robust Cybersecurity frameworks and help facilitate inter-Commonwealth coordination.

The ceremonial opening examined how Cyberspace could be governed and utilised in a manner to foster freedom and entrepreneurship, while protecting individuals, property and the state, leading to socio-economic development. Speakers of this session, Mr Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Department of Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications, ITU; Mr David Pollington, Director, International Security Relations, Microsoft; Mr Alexander Seger, Secretary, Cybercrime Convention Committee, Council of Europe; Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice President, Europe, ICANN and Mr Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President, Africa, ICANN, added their perspectives on various approaches to Cybergovernance, with general agreement on the role Cyberspace could play to facilitate development equitably and fairly across the world.

Hosted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon together with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon and backed by partners and industry supporters including ICANN, Council of Europe, Microsoft, MTN Cameroon, AFRINIC and Internet Watch Foundation, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013 seeks to broaden stakeholder dialogue to facilitate practical action in Cybergovernance and Cybersecurity, some of which will be reflected in the CTO’s own work programmes under its Cybersecurity agenda.