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

[Elizabeth Oluoch]

Hi Olivier,



I am one of several staff in the External Engagement team managing relationships with various international institutions. ISOC has engaged with the UN for many years in areas relevant to our strategic priorities. Additionally, we interact with UN missions on a regular basis, both in New York and Geneva. Depending on the issues (access or security), various colleagues working on those issues are a part of the briefing team with UN missions. Additionally, where relevant we coordinate with other organizations from the technical community, business and civil society to advance mutual objectives.



As our CEO Andrew mentioned, we are broadly engaged in a number of ways. Last month, Jane Coffin participated in the Expert Group meeting on” Addressing Emerging Requirements and Challenges for Policy and Decision-Making in Digital Transformation in Developing Countries” convened by UN DESA’s Division of Public Institutions and Digital Government. The recommendations and actions from this meeting are intended to address capacity building requirements of developing countries and serve as guidance on the broader implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. Earlier this month Olaf Kolkman participated in the UNIDIR event in Geneva on “Operationalizing Cyber Norm.” ISOC’s CEO is a Commissioner on the UN Broadband Commission on Sustainable Development. This is an important opportunity for all organizations involved to contribute to the UN’s work on SDGs. Also, Raquel Gatto is participating in the UN HLPDC follow up roundtables, particularly in the discussions on the evolution of the IGF.



On the cyber norms processes, specifically the OEWG in the UNGA First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), we are following that process closely and will be attending the second substantive meeting in February. More importantly, we stand ready to engage as robustly as needed in the UN.

If you have time for a call next week, Constance Bommelaer and I would be happy to discuss with you. Your ideas and suggestions are important to us.


Kind regards,

Elizabeth


From: Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates-bounces at elists.isoc.org> on behalf of "chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org" <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Reply-To: Olivier Crepin-Leblond <ocl at gih.com>
Date: Monday, January 27, 2020 at 12:27 PM
To: Andrew Sullivan <sullivan at isoc.org>
Cc: "chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org" <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>
Subject: Re: [Chapter-delegates] Fwd: [ccwg-internet-governance] Microsoft opens representation office to the UN

Dear Andrew,

thank you for your kind follow-up. I am happy to hear that staff are broadly engaged with the UN in multiple ways, but as you know when one enters the UN one enters the realm of diplomacy - a field where strong personal relationships are particularly important if you wish to have any kind of impact. It would be therefore helpful to know who is doing what, as throughout the years cross pollination between communities has managed to leverage information and influence that would have not been possible for any organisation or individual playing solo.
Kindest regards,

Olivier
On 27/01/2020 15:35, Andrew Sullivan wrote:
Hi Olivier,

The staff are broadly engaged with the UN in multiple ways, and indeed one of the goals of the recent staff organization changes was to locate the responsibility for such engagement in a clear place (external engagement) so that we have a reliable function for such coordination. Is there something specific you had in mind?

Best regards,

A
—
Andrew Sullivan
Please excuse my clumbsy thums


On Jan 27, 2020, at 09:31, Olivier MJ Crépin-Leblond via Chapter-delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org><mailto: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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