Leaders gather at the Peace Palace in The Hague to ensure the cybersecurity of nonprofits and secure the world's digital future

The Hague, the Netherlands, 24 September 2024 – On 30 September 2024, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, leaders of NGOs, donors, impact investors, civil servants, cybersecurity experts, researchers, diplomats and representatives of international organisations gather at the historic Peace Palace to launch an action plan at ‘BEYOND125, Securing Our World’s Digital Future’. This ambitious plan, consisting notably of support for a global fund dedicated to providing cybersecurity as a common good, will ensure nonprofits’ access to cybersecurity services, tools and platforms, and foster global peace, justice and security. 

Worldwide there are more than 10 million nonprofits. They provide essential services for global peace to more than 1 billion people. They have undergone significant digital transformations. Their expanded digital footprint has also increased their vulnerability to cyber threats. Nonprofits are often targeted by cyberattacks and disinformation and they often can’t access the necessary talents, technologies and financial resources to defend themselves. Now - 125 years since the First Hague Peace Conference - it is still imperative to pursue peace. Leaders of nonprofits are now calling publicly for their digital safety to be a priority. It is urgent to empower their digital resilience, support vulnerable users and secure the broader digital ecosystem and internet infrastructure. 

The CyberPeace Institute, the Global Cyber Alliance and the City of The Hague are taking the lead in this mission, joined by leaders, cyber experts, and philanthropists who pledged for support and resources, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the digital future of our global peace ecosystem. Simultaneously, Common Good Cyber is convening the global ecosystem of cybersecurity-focused nonprofits to identify and implement sustainable funding models for those involved in critical cybersecurity functions for the broader Internet community, both core Internet functions and those who support vulnerable communities. 

Speakers and participants in the event will represent a truly global and diverse community, with representatives from, among others, Doctors Without Borders, Plan International, Save the Children Netherlands, Terres des Hommes, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, WaterAid and YMCA. These efforts, Beyond125 and Common Good Cyber, have already raised €500K (EU) from influential private and public sector supporters, including Microsoft, with more financial support anticipated.  

Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of The Hague, emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, "In a world where cyber threats are as real as physical ones, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the pillars of peace and justice are fortified against digital attacks. The Beyond 125 conference symbolises our commitment to securing a peaceful digital future for all. The Hague, a centre of expertise in everything related to the cyber world, is happy to contribute to this.” 

About the International City of Peace and Justice

The Hague, renowned as the International City of Peace and Justice, is home to numerous international organisations, NGOs and institutions dedicated to fostering global stability and justice. Like Europol, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The city's deep-rooted commitment to peace makes it a centre for addressing the pressing issue of cybersecurity in our increasingly digital world. The conference underscores The Hague's ongoing role in leading global efforts to safeguard peace.  

About the CyberPeace Institute

The CyberPeace Institute is an international nonprofit organisation protecting the most vulnerable in cyberspace. It provides cybersecurity assistance to build digital resilience, investigates the harm caused by cyberattacks and disinformation, and advances international laws and norms in cyberspace. It forecasts emerging digital threats and advocates against the unacceptable risks posed by artificial intelligence to international peace and security. Additionally, it promotes the responsible development and use of AI. The Institute’s collaborative model involves working with a global and diverse set of partners committed to building sustainable digital resilience. It is a member of the Common Good Cyber secretariat. 

About the Global Cyber Alliance

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to building communities to deploy tools, services, and programs that provide cybersecurity at global scale. This is achieved in three ways: working with communities; engaging infrastructure owners and operators; and driving ecosystem engagement for collective action on cybersecurity. GCA coordinates the secretariat of the Common Good Cyber initiative.