OEWG on security of and in the use of ICT 2021–2025 Agenda item 5: Capacity building
Thursday, 20 February 2025, Conference Room 4, UN Headquarters, New York
Delivered by:
Ms. Athena Matalavea,
Principal Cyber Incident Response Coordinator and Analyst,
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

Chair,
At the outset we would like to express our appreciation for your guidance and able leadership as well as to the Secretariat for their support and preparatory work since the inception of this working group. I would also take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Government of Australia for facilitating participation in this OEWG under the Women in Cyber Fellowship which in and of itself is an exemplary initiative that enhances capacity building and promotes inclusivity in cyber diplomacy. Samoa aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Kingdom of Tonga, on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Samoa reaffirms the importance of capacity building as a fundamental pillar and emphasizes that such efforts must be needs-based, tailored to national contexts, and delivered in an inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner.

Chair,
Samoa has made significant strides in enhancing its cybersecurity framework through the implementation of its National Cybersecurity Strategy in which Capacity building is a core component. The strategy aims to equip our institutions and citizens with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape safely and securely. As a Small Island Developing state, the ongoing efforts by the international community, regional organizations, and development partners, to support these cyber capacity-building initiatives have been indispensable.

We welcome and commend the suggestion regarding the Global ICT Security Cooperation and Capacity-Building Portal yet we stress the need to consider value-added in the midst of existingportals such as those offered by GFCE and UNIDIR and hence support suggestions brought forward by other member states for either incremental development or streamlined coordination of existing resources to avoid duplication of efforts.

We reaffirm that the future mechanism should play a critical role in facilitating capacity-building efforts and ensuring that all States, particularly developing countries and small island developing states, have access to the necessary tools, expertise, and financial support to fully participate in global cyber discussions.

Finally, we look forward to working constructively with stakeholders to ensure that capacity-building remains at the heart of our collective efforts to promote a secure, stable, and peaceful cyberspace.

Thank you, Chair.