From 2 to 4 March, the Tallinn Cyber Diplomacy Winter School, focusing on the Asian region, took place in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The three-day programme brought together alumni of the Cyber Diplomacy Summer School and experts from 33 countries to share experiences and discuss challenges related to cybersecurity and international cooperation.
“As a digital state, it is important for Estonia that international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity becomes even more effective,” said Helen Popp, Ambassador-at-Large for Cyber Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “In a changing geopolitical environment, it is crucial to maintain contacts, develop international networks of cyber diplomats and share experiences in order to jointly counter increasingly complex cyber threats.”
Participants discussed how to respond to cyber incidents using diplomatic and political tools, the impact of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, and how to strengthen countries’ resilience in an increasingly complex cyber environment. Discussions also covered strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors and international mechanisms for ensuring accountability for cyberattacks.
According to Air Vice Marshal Amorn Chomchoey, Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), cyber threats do not recognise national borders and addressing them requires close cooperation between countries. In his view, what distinguishes the Cyber Diplomacy Winter School from other cybersecurity events is that it brings together different fields. “Cyber challenges are often addressed only at the technical level, but in reality they also require political and diplomatic solutions. Meetings like this help bring together different perspectives and jointly find effective solutions,” Chomchoey said.
“Cyber diplomacy has become a central part of international relations,” said Hannes Astok, Chairman of the Management Board of the e-Governance Academy. “The strength of the Tallinn Cyber Diplomacy programme lies not only in training but also in the community we build together – an international network of experts and diplomats who share experiences and help shape a trustworthy and functioning cyberspace in different countries. Maintaining and developing this requires consistent investment and close cooperation.”
In addition to the Winter School, the Cyber Diplomacy Summer School is held every summer in Tallinn and has so far been completed by 168 cyber experts from 88 countries. The Winter School is part of the EU-funded Tallinn Cyber Diplomacy Programme, which supports the European Union’s objective of shaping a secure, open and inclusive digital future through international cooperation.
The 2026 Cyber Diplomacy Winter School was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the e-Governance Academy, Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and the European Commission.
The press release was prepared in cooperation with the e-Governance Academy.
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