High-Level Panels: Diplomacy

The High-Level Plenaries on Diplomacy will bring together foreign ministers, diplomats, senior government officials, and key stakeholders to share views and perspectives on some of the most pressing issues that we face in the fast evolving and complex digital and cyber domains.

Last updated on 26 October 2026

15 October 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 9.00am to 12.00pm (GMT +8)
Venue: SICW H (Level 3, Cassia 3211 - 3312)

Opening Address
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Special Address
Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations

Panel I: Algorithms and Alliances: Will AI Take Over Cyber Diplomacy?
Time: 9.30am to 10.25am (GMT +8)

This panel will examine the shifts and challenges confronting international cyber diplomacy amid the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, including AI. As these developments widen the capacity gap facing small and developing States while amplifying the influencing power of big tech companies, do the voices of these States and international cyber diplomacy itself risk becoming marginalised? What do these technological shifts mean for State sovereignty? How can larger, better-resourced States meaningfully engage with smaller, developing States, and how can States work alongside big tech to build a stable, secure, trusted, and interoperable cyberspace? And critically, what must be done today to secure that future?

Table of event speakers and moderators

Programme
Keynote Speaker
Mr Pedro M. Allende	Under Secretary for Science and Technology Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States of America
Moderator
Dr Shashi Jayakumar	Executive Director SJK Geostrategic Advisory Singapore
Panellist
Mr Felix Kroll	Cyber Coordinator Federal Foreign Office Germany⁠
Mr Alessandro De Pedys	Director-General for Cyber Affairs, Information Technology and Technological Innovation Ministry of Foreign Affairs Italy
Mr Ahmed Mohammed Al Mutawaa Al Hammadi	Director General National Cyber Security Agency Qatar
Mr Pedro M. Allende	Under Secretary for Science and Technology Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States of America
Ms Izumi Nakamitsu	Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs United Nations

Panel II: Non-State Actors: Have States Lost the Battle?
Time: 10.25am to 11.20am (GMT +8)

International cyber diplomacy has long sought to develop the rules, norms, and principles governing State behaviour in cyberspace. Yet a persistent criticism remains: that States have struggled to find effective ways to collaborate in countering the transboundary cyber threats posed by non-State actors, including cybercriminals. This panel will examine various international efforts, including the Counter-Ransomware Initiative and the Pall Mall Process amongst others, to explore how States, industry, and civil society can work together to address the digital and cyber threats posed by non-State actors at a time when technology is becoming ever more accessible to them.

Table of event speakers and moderators

Programme
Keynote Speaker
Ir Dr. Megat Zuhairy bin Megat Tajuddin	Chief Executive National Cyber Security Agency Malaysia
Moderator
Dr. Tobias Feakin	Founder and Managing Director Protostar Strategy
Panellist
Lt Gen. Michelle McGuinness	National Cyber Security Coordinator National Office of Cyber Security Australia
Ir Dr. Megat Zuhairy bin Megat Tajuddin	Chief Executive National Cyber Security Agency Malaysia
Matthijs van Amelsfort	Chief Executive Officer National Cyber Security Centre The Kingdom of the Netherlands
Neal Jetton	Director of Cybercrime INTERPOL
Casper Klygne	Vice President, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy EMEA ZScaler

Panel III: A Brand-New Process: Will the UN Global Mechanism on ICTs Security Deliver on its Promise?
Time: 11.20am to 12.10pm(GMT +8)

The consensus outcome of the 2^nd UN Open-Ended Working Group on ICTs Security and the subsequent setting up of a permanent UN Global Mechanism on ICTs Security was hailed a significant milestone achieved even in the midst of strong geopolitical pressures. Yet there is still considerable concern about whether the Global Mechanism can indeed live up to its promise. Questions over the application of international law to cyberspace, the discussion of binding new rules and norms and multi-stakeholder participation continue to dominate discussions. How can the UN Global Mechanism deliver on its promise and ensure that its discussions are practical, outcome-oriented and ultimately, able to advance international peace and security.

Table of event speakers and moderators

Programme
Keynote Speaker
Mr Lauti Ako	Deputy Secretary Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communications and Innovation Tuvalu
Moderator
Mr David Koh	Senior Advisor (Digital) Ministry of Digital Development and Information Singapore
Panellist
Ms Larissa Schneider Calza	Head, Cyber Defense and Security Division Ministry of Foreign Affairs Brazil
Mr Dmitrii Bukin	Deputy Director, Department of International Information Security Ministry of Foreign Affairs Russian Federation
Ms Ruvarna Naidoo	Assistant Director; Sub-Directorate: Biological, Chemical and Arms Control Department of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa
Mr Agustinus Bruno Halle	Head of the Digitalisation and Cybersecurity Office Ministry of Transport and Communications Timor-Leste
Mr Lauti Ako	Deputy Secretary Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communications and Innovation Tuvalu

Further information will be provided in due course.

Information is accurate at time of publication