William Hague talks about the London Cyberspace Conference

PRESS RELEASE
William Hague talks about the London Cyberspace Conference.
October 23 2011

“In the space of a decade, cyberspace has revolutionised the way the world lives and works. In 1995, there were 16 million internet users, today there are nearly 2 billion. This development offers enormous potential to business, societies and individuals.

Cyberspace has created a multi-trillion dollar industry, employing millions. E-commerce alone sees $8 trillion change hands, whilst recent studies have indicated that the internet creates twice as many jobs as it destroys.

The internet is also blurring geographical boundaries and breaking cultural divides. The Arab Spring showed the power cyberspace can have in support of democratic change.

But at the same time the internet offers opportunities for criminals and terrorists. The annual cost of cybercrime could be as much as USA $1 trillion and has the potential to threaten international security.

The London Conference on Cyberspace is a unique and ambitious opportunity to address these issues by launching a more focussed and inclusive dialogue involving government, industry and civil society. Delegates from around the globe, including high level officials from the NZ government and civil society will be present and participating in the discussions.”

Notes to editors

1. The London Conference on Cyberspace, hosted by the Foreign Secretary is taking place on 1-2 November.

2. The main themes from the Conference will be: economic and social benefits, safe and reliable access, cyber crime and international security.

3. High level officials from the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as representatives from Netsafe, a local NGO, who promote responsible online technology, will be in London for the Conference.

ENDS

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