Nairobi Hosts US-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue

Photo: State Department

Africa: Coordinator for Cyber Issues and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy To Participate in the U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue 

Office of the Spokesperson

Department of State

Washington, DC

June 27, 2017

On June 22-23, 2017, the United States and Kenya held the first U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue in Nairobi, Kenya.

The following statement was issued by the Governments of the United States and Kenya at the conclusion of the Dialogue:

On June 22 and 23, the United States and Kenya affirmed their joint commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure cyberspace during the first U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue.

Hosted in Nairobi by the Kenyan government, the meeting focused on the future of the digital economy and protecting the opportunities it presents by combatting cybercrime and promoting cybersecurity. Officials discussed policy coordination, information sharing, and capacity building, with an emphasis on public-private cooperation. The Dialogue underscores our shared goal to collaborate on Internet policy matters and engage on digital economy and cyber issues in relevant international fora. Representatives from both delegations applauded the progress made and agreed to build on the exchange through annual Dialogues going forward.

The Department of State’s Coordinator for Cyber Issues Christopher Painter and Acting Coordinator for International Communication and Information Policy Julie Zoller co-led the U.S. delegation. The interagency delegation included representatives from the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the Federal Communications Commission, as well as from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Mr. Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), led the Kenyan delegation. Cabinet Secretary Rachel Omamo of the Ministry of Defense, joined Mr. Mucheru, as did representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, and the Cabinet Secretary’s own Ministry of ICT.

Following a productive day of bilateral discussions, key private sector and civil society members joined the exchange and offered insights into policies to spur innovation, develop the digital workforce, and increase public awareness of cyber-related issues. Key non-government partners in attendance included the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, the American Chamber of Commerce, Microsoft, Symantec, and others.

The U.S.-Kenya Cyber and Digital Economy Dialogue formalizes a close relationship that developed over the past five years through consultations, capacity building efforts, and discussions during multilateral conferences and meetings. Subsequent iterations of the Dialogue will serve as a policy-level channel for identifying cyber and digital economy issues of mutual concern and developing joint initiatives, in turn strengthening and helping protect the economic interests of both countries.

To learn more about this trip or other cyber policy efforts at the Department of State, please follow us on Twitter @State_Cyber and @StateCIP.

To learn more about the Department of State’s efforts in economic matters, including communications and information policy issues, follow us on Twitter @EconatState or at the EconAtState Facebook page.