Recommendation 19

HM Government · verbatim extract Not Addressed

20.1 Since publication of the Committee’s report, the Government has announced the first conclusions of the Integrated Review, which include investments in cutting-edge technology, positioning the UK as a global leader in domains such as cyber and space. To support these advancements, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the National Cyber Force and a new ‘Space Command’. 20.2 We agree that the UK is well placed to influence the global debate and seek agreement for regulations for many frontier technologies, space and science, given the UK’s significant strength in diplomacy, regulation, research excellence, and academia. The UK has developed a distinctive and comparatively sophisticated approach to the governance of frontier sectors which commands widespread support among policymakers, publics, scientists and industry. 20.3 Space is fundamental to the UK’s prosperity, resilience, and security capability, and presents significant opportunities for the UK - whether in cutting-edge scientific research and exploration, international collaboration or global development. The FCDO with the UK Space Agency and the MoD will continue to play a leading role in agreeing international regulations and best practice to support the UK space sector and protect the space environment. The UK leads work to reduce threats to space systems through responsible behaviours and successfully ran a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 to kick start the global debate. 20.4 The UK is a world leader in cyber expertise and has a prominent role in global security. The world is ever more reliant on cyberspace, and in this highly contested environment it has become increasingly important for the UK to be able to have a real-world effect in and through cyberspace to support our diplomatic, economic and military levers of power. The UK also continues to work actively with the international community (including as part of the ongoing UN processes on responsible state behaviour in cyberspace) to implement the voluntary and non-binding norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and deepen understanding on how international law applies in cyberspace. 20.5 Our G7 Presidency will offer the opportunity to build on the promises made in the PM’s speech at UNGA last year to ensure “emerging technologies are designed from the outset for freedom, openness and pluralism, with the right safeguards in place to protect our peoples”. We have been among the few countries engaging proactively with the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, where we are ‘Key Constituents’ in four working groups. We will also continue to work with developing countries to ensure they can engage successfully with the development of global standards and ensure mutual access to markets. 20.6 Engagement with leading technology companies is an essential part of the UK’s international approach to setting standards and rules for new technologies but we do not agree on the need to establish diplomatic missions to leading technology companies. We believe that any engagement should utilise the existing relationships government holds with key businesses in the sector. The Department for Culture, Media and Sports has a programme of engagement with key tech companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft; and the FCDO has strategic partnerships with mobile operators and tech companies (with over 800 members) through the Global System for Mobile Communications Association to invest in technology and innovation for addressing global challenges. 20.7 We recognise the importance of the digital technology sector on the US West Coast. We have recently appointed Joe White, an entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience in the digital sector, as Consul-General San Francisco and Technology Envoy to the United States, in a combined role for the UK Government. Our Science & Innovation Network, Cyber Attaches, and the Asia Pacific Digital Trade Network work with tech communities around the world. Published: 13 January 2021 Site information Accessibility statement