OSCE Programme Office co-organizes Sixth Central Asian Internet Forum in Almaty

ALMATY, 14 May 2015 – The OSCE-supported sixth annual Central Asian Forum on Internet Development began today in Almaty with a focus on the role of the Internet and the security of those who use it.

The two-day event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in co-operation with the International Centre for Journalism MediaNet and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. It brought together some 120 government officials, representatives from civil society, media-related non-governmental organizations, professional associations, experts and journalists from all Central Asian countries, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. Michael Unland, Senior Adviser from the OSCE Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, spoke on freedom of the media and national security issues.

Participants will discuss information security and cybersecurity, the Internet as a platform for information wars, children’s safety in the virtual space and the ways to prevent the use of Internet for terrorist purposes. They will also focus on the trends and challenges in developing the Internet and exchange views about potential threats to the free flow of online information and the legal basis for Internet development in Central Asia.

“With enhancing the Internet’s role as a major media and communication platform, the state should take every step to ensure the protection of the virtual space against this new emerging threat,” said Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. She added that since 2005, the OSCE has consistently promoted and facilitated implementation of targeted measures to thwart the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and countering cybercrimes with a focus on respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Meiram Begentaev, Deputy of Parliament noted: “The World Wide Web offers huge opportunities for every country’s economic, cultural and social development in line with information society goals.  In this context, cybersecurity becomes one of the state’s priorities. Other priorities include telecommunications infrastructure development, the wide use of social networks for promoting society’s cohesion.”

As a result of the discussions, participants will develop a set of recommendations related to the Forums topics that will be disseminated among government agencies, other stakeholders in Central Asia and the Internet community at large.

The forum is part of the Office’s work in promoting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region.