Joint Statement on the United States-Philippines Cyber-Digital Policy Dialogue

The following statement was jointly released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Philippines on the occasion of the successful conclusion of the Philippines-United States Cyber-Digital Policy Dialogue in Washington, D.C.

Senior U.S. and Philippine officials gathered in Washington for the United States – Philippines Cyber-Digital Policy Dialogue on July 15 and 16, 2024. The United States and the Philippines reaffirmed their shared commitment to promote an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable, Internet, an information and communication technologies (ICT) ecosystem that supports the growth of the digital economy and stability in cyberspace, as well as to deepen bilateral cooperation on cybersecurity.

U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick and Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John E. Uy opened the dialogue by underscoring the essential role of international cyber security and digital policy in reinforcing a shared commitment to democratic values and digital solidarity. The Cyber Policy discussions were chaired by Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security Liesyl Franz and Philippines DICT Undersecretary for Infostructure Management, Cybersecurity and Upskilling, Jeffrey Ian C. Dy. The Digital Policy discussions were chaired by U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy Ambassador Steve Lang and Philippines DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy. The U.S. delegation included representatives from the Department of State; the Office of the National Cyber Directorate; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Department of Defense; Department of Homeland Security; Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, International Trade Administration, and National Institute of Standards and Technology; Department of Justice, including the Criminal Division and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Federal Communications Commission; Federal Trade Commission; U.S. Trade and Development Agency; U.S. Export-Import Bank; and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. The Philippines was represented by delegates from the DICT, Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center (CICC), National Security Council (NSC), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Transportation (DOTR) – Office of Transportation Security, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Trade and Industry, (DTI), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Both sides provided updates on their respective national cyber policies and exchanged views on bilateral cyber cooperation and developments in regional and international fora. Participants explored new ways for the United States and the Philippines to promote cyberspace stability, including through further discussions on the role of accountability in cyberspace and deterring malicious cyber activity. Participants discussed strengthening regional cooperation on cyber capacity building and efforts to combat cybercrime, including in the context of the Philippines’ recent admission to the International Counter Ransomware Initiative. In particular, the United States and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation and strengthen cyber resilience. Both sides committed to further discussions on the protection of critical infrastructure against malicious cyber activity and enhanced collaboration between respective national Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERTs).

The dialogue acknowledged progress in fostering greater regional cybersecurity cooperation and capacity building, as well as the importance of upholding and implementing the UN-affirmed Framework of Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace as well as continued implementation of cyber confidence building measures (CBMs). These CBMs reduce the risk of conflict stemming from the use of ICTs, including efforts advanced through the ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Security of and in the Use of ICTs.

Addressing a robust bilateral agenda on digital policy issues, both countries recognized the importance of promoting the development and commercial deployment of a trusted information communications technology ecosystem, including equipment, software, and services. Delegations emphasized the importance of strengthening cybersecurity and protecting privacy, intellectual property rights, and digital freedom will support the development and growth of the global digital economy.

The United States and the Philippines endorsed secure fifth generation (5G) networks and open, interoperable, and trusted architectures such as Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN). The Philippines endorsed the development of a national Open RAN policy framework, reaffirming an open, interoperable, and trusted architectures as announced during the United States-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Leaders’ Summit in April 2024. Both countries also welcomed the Philippines’ plan to pilot an Open RAN in its National Broadband Program and Free Wi-Fi project.

Both countries reaffirmed the importance of promoting secure and reliable global undersea cable networks, including through the designation of undersea cables as critical infrastructure and a verification process on the equipment used for cable installation, operation, and maintenance. The United States and the Philippine governments emphasized the importance of cloud computing and satellite connectivity to advance digital connectivity and inclusion and decided to further discussions on promoting cloud policies to promote resiliency and redundancy. The two countries affirmed their commitment to exchange best practices on recent reforms and efforts that expand digital connectivity through provision of satellite-based solutions and to continue to facilitate interest and market access to low and middle earth orbit services. Both countries reaffirmed the importance of ensuring the trusted flow of data across borders, which underpin the digital economy, and committed to continue to advance the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum to facilitate interoperability among data protection and privacy frameworks globally. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation, strengthen cooperation through the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ and Senior Officials’ meetings, and foster investments for secure and resilient ICT infrastructure.

The dialogue included discussions with U.S. private sector representatives on the promotion of 5G wireless technologies, networks, services, and cybersecurity services; public-private partnerships to support the development of the digital economy; international coordination in areas such as data protection and privacy, cross-border data flows, advancing digital freedom, and cybersecurity capacity building; public-private collaboration to foster public trust and support for responsible stewardship of the Internet and digital connectivity; and investments in ICT, emerging technologies, and cybersecurity that contribute to resilient and sustainable growth. The United States and the Philippines look forward to identifying further opportunities for cooperation in the United States, Philippines, and Japan Trilateral Cyber and Digital Dialogue in October 2024.