### Towards a Digital Revolution: Multilateral Diplomacy in the Age of Cyber Defense
January 29, 2025, was marked by a key meeting between Amr Aljowaily, Egyptian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security, and Tiina Intelmann, Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Special Envoy for Multilateralism and Mediation, in Cairo. This session of discussions, while seemingly focused on traditional concerns such as international peace and security, also highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity and digital issues in the modern framework of international relations.
#### A Changing Diplomatic Context
Diplomacy today is no longer limited to peace negotiations and physical security. The recurrence of issues such as cybersecurity, information and communications technology (ICT) has redefined the international diplomatic landscape. Countries must not only defend their borders, but also protect their digital infrastructures in the global market.
To illustrate this reality, it is worth recalling the ransomware attack that hit the Berlin hospital in 2020, resulting in a tragic loss of life: the victim, suffering from a disease that needed treatment, was unable to receive the necessary care due to the service interruption. This incident highlighted not only the vulnerability of health systems to cyberattacks, but also the devastating impact that these events can have on civil society.
The discussions between Aljowaily and Intelmann, which also focused on the implementation of Global Digital Competence, are part of this modern dynamic where digital technology is becoming not only a platform for development but also a strategic battlefield.
#### Cyberdefense: A Multilateral Challenge
The importance of cybersecurity in international negotiations is becoming indisputable. As governments around the world struggle to integrate cybersecurity measures into their national defense architecture, fewer than 30 percent have fully operational strategies, according to a United Nations report. This lack of alignment raises critical questions about collective security and trust among nations.
The preparatory work for the 2026 Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) also has digital implications. With the increase in nuclear weapons systems potentially connected to networks that could be targeted by cyberattacks, discussions about cybersecurity are likely to take center stage. The exchanges between Egypt and Estonia during this consultation could potentially open new avenues to create an international framework that would stabilize both the digital and physical arenas.
#### Conclusion: A New Forms of Digital Diplomacy
Meetings like this between representatives of nations with diverse contributions to the global diplomatic scene remind us that the future of global governance is also built around the secure and collaborative management of the digital space. The emergence of issues such as data processing, information volatility, and the regulation of big tech companies are transforming the Victorian diplomacy of yesteryear into a multilateral digital platform.
As we move towards an increasingly interconnected world, it is imperative that states collaborate to build common standards and practices in cybersecurity. This dynamic can offer an innovative perspective on international relations and will reveal the true essence of multilateralism in the digital age. A proactive approach to integrating these issues into international forums could become the foundation of a new type of diplomacy, where digital and traditional come together to strengthen peace and security on a global scale.
These reflections guide us towards the future, questioning our current institutions and their capacity to adapt to this radically transformed reality.