[Chapter-delegates] Fwd: [ccwg-internet-governance] Microsoft opens representation office to the UN

[Louise Marie Hurel]

Dear Olivier,

Thanks for forwarding this.

Yes, MSFT has been quite active at the UN (on different levels) for the
past few years and, since 2014, with a greater emphasis and interest on the
UNGGE and OEWG processes.
They are one of the very few, and perhaps most prominent, participants from
the tech sector in these discussions. It does not come as a huge surprise,
but certainly a big step for the company in terms of carrying out their
diplomatic /IO engagement.

>From what I understand (and have been able to follow in some of the
international peace and security discussions), ISOC has been working with
civil society groups at the UNGGE and OEWG level.
There is very limited space, at least at the First Committee, for
engagement, but we did have a multistakeholder intersessional meeting in
December. I can see there is a renewed interest from many states in better
understanding the technical challenges that might arise from the
operationalization of some cyber norms - but that interest, from what I
know, has been mostly directed towards the incident response community.

PS: here's a paper
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23738871.2018.1467942> I
published on the MSFT case - food for thought.

With best regards,

*Louise Marie Hurel*

PhD Student Data, Networks, and Society | London School of Economics and
Political Science (LSE)

Research and Project Development Cybersecurity and Digital Liberties
Programme | Igarapé Institute

Publications
<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louise_Marie_Hurel/publications>
Skype: louise.dias
louise at igarape.org.br
louise.marie.hsd at gmail.com



On Mon, 27 Jan 2020 at 14:30, Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond via
Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> wrote:

>  Dear Colleagues,
>
>
> I've learnt that Microsoft's engaging more extensively with the UN (see
> below). I wonder if ISOC should not see this as a trigger for further
> engagment. It looks like there will be renewed emphasis on things happening
> in NYC.
>
> Kindest regars,
>
>
> Olivier
>
> *New Microsoft representation office to the UN in New York*
>
> Microsoft’s new representation office to the United Nations headquarters
> in New York will provide support for several Microsoft teams who work with
> the broader UN community on policy and business issues. Microsoft strongly
> supports the Sustainable Development Goals and has initiated numerous
> projects focusing on four SDGs <https://aka.ms/2019CSRReport> where the
> company can contribute most to advance towards these shared goals of
> quality education, decent work and economic growth, climate action as well
> as peace, justice and strong institutions.
>
> As vice president of UN affairs, John Frank will establish a new
> representation office and lead a team that will focus on
> advancing Microsoft’s partnerships with the United Nations and its
> agencies, building relationships with UN representatives, identifying new
> opportunities for partnerships, building stronger connections between
> Microsoft and UN teams, advocating for the UN’s priorities within
> Microsoft, and working across the company to support Microsoft teams in
> their engagements and advocacy with the UN community.
>
> “Microsoft’s commitment to addressing some of the biggest challenges
> facing the future of society inspires me. I look forward to helping the
> company engage more deeply and effectively with the United Nations
> community. Multi-stakeholder support and initiatives will be essential to
> achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and advancing global
> solutions in many other areas. I am incredibly thankful for the past four
> years in Europe and the opportunity to represent Microsoft in the Brussels
> community and EU capitals on European public
> policy issues and initiatives important for our customers as well
> as Europe’s economic agenda and social values,” said John Frank.
>
>
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