Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi’s speech at the Budapest Conference on Cyberspace. Check against delivery.

Mr President,
Mr Prime Minister,
Ms Vice-President of the Commission,
Mr Foreign Secretary,
Ministers, Excellencies,
Dear Participants,

The previous turn of the century bequeathed us the gramophone, the telephone, the motion picture, the automobile, the aeroplane and the bathroom in middle-class homes. From the turn of the millennium we will have inherited the Internet and cyberspace. It is not my job to tell you which of the two ages can be judged more revolutionary. But of one thing I am certain: any revolution is as much worth as much progress in humanity and civilization, towards a fair distribution of material and immaterial goods and opportunities it can bring.

We have come together for this first follow-up of last year’s London Conference on Cyberspace to discuss the most important, and some of the more difficult, policy issues related to the use of cyberspace. London enabled us to make an inventory, to make the first step towards dealing with these issues, and to prepare the ground for further steps needed. The Budapest Conference on Cyberspace will carry on this work.

As a representative of a more mature – young digital natives would probably say: older – generation, I have been watching with fascination how the Internet is transforming our world and revolutionising our everyday lives. I know it can, and should, drive equitable and sustainable growth. I know it can, and should, give access to knowledge and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas. I know it can, and should, nurture innovation and investment.

No doubt we must use it to improve opportunities for participation in social and economic activities for those on the margins. And in order to make this happen, we need openness, sound policies and the ability to cope with the significant challenges which could undermine these benefits and pose a serious threat to reaping the full potential of cyberspace. Governments cannot do all of this alone. A safe and resilient cyberspace must be shaped by the interests of civil society, industry and governments across the globe. 

Hence the need for inclusive, co-operative and collaborative partnerships to make certain we can build a secure and trusted global digital environment. 600 people from over 70 countries and international organisations - ministers, senior government officials, industry leaders, and representatives of the Internet technical community and civil society - have gathered here to discuss the issues vital to an ever more closely connected, networked world. We will carry on the dialogue in the five areas defined a year ago.

In cyberspace freedom of expression and the weed of its abuse  can, unfortunately, blossom side by side.  We must be determined to protect the former and uproot the later. We must improve security without infringing on human rights. We also have to make concerted international efforts to counter and curb cybercrime.

Work done in London and since then has demonstrated a few simple truths about the Internet and cyberspace. First: this is a par excellence global space, so we should seek global solutions, through global cooperation. Second: global solutions need to encompass norms and principles but also capabilities, so we must focus our attention on capacity-building, too. Third: capitalising on the benefits of cyberspace and protecting freedoms is best achieved through inclusive participation of governments, business, experts and civil society, whose cooperation is essential. Governments have to lead by example, but also call on the expertise lying with industry. We have to share the responsibility to mitigate risks, avert threats, and make the most of what cyberspace has to offer for the benefit of every society.

These are the starting points for our conference. We want to contribute to economic growth, development and social progress and to international peace and security. Our motto - With Trust and Security for Freedom and Prosperity – tells you all.

At this conference plenary sessions will serve to discuss our vision of the dynamics, perspectives and policy implications of the development of cyberspace, as well as the role of regional and international organisations in this process. Panel discussions will focus on developments in, and opportunities offered by the use of cyberspace for economic growth; social progress; cyber security; international security; and cybercrime. This latter field, in fact,  calls for checking how the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, signed in 2001, and the only binding international instrument to this end, may help us develop a universal guidance for national legislation, as well as principles or norms for international co-operation.

To make the most of this multi-stakeholder event, we hope to have three dialogues running in parallel: the main conference and a Youth Forum will deal with much of the same issues, and, in a spirit of openness, will also be video-streamed so that the on-line community can follow. We attribute special importance to the inclusion of young people as full-fledged partners in the exercise, comparing notes with participants of the conference in a joint session. Besides that seven workshops are dedicated to deepen our discussions seeking practical solutions in areas and topics of special relevance.

The conclusion of the London Conference stating “we do not underestimate the difficulties ahead; there are still divides to be bridged and difficulties to be overcome” still holds true. This makes it all the more important that the work go forward and governments, international and regional organisations, companies, experts, civil society, and Internet users alike take their responsibility and share in making the world, virtual and real, a freer, safer, and thereby better place. The Budapest Conference on Cyberspace should be another milestone in building this new broad, international consensus on the future of cyberspace, paving the way for the next follow-up conference in Seoul in 2013.

It was long ago that the diplomacy of a country could afford to deal with diplomacy only. A foreign minister should be versatile – or quit. But to be a “user friendly” foreign minister, one has to be a friendly user of the Internet and a proud voyager in cyberspace. Hungary is not one of the greatest powers, unless in terms of the grey substance: we can claim some of the greatest scientists of the 20th century, such as János Neumann, a father of the electronic computer and hence the grandfather of the Internet. In our globalized world, just as in cyberspace, ideas matter more than size. I am proud of Budapest hosting this event right after London and of thus being on the cutting edge again. As the foreign minister of Hungary I am pleased to welcome you and wish you good work and an excellent time in Budapest.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)