Marina Kaljurand, former Foreign Minister of Estonia, announced during the meeting in Kobe, Japan, that she has handed over the chairmanship of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC). Her chairmanship will be continued by the two Co-Chairs Michael Chertoff and Latha Reddy.

The GCSC Chair was elected to the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) as a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDE). In this context, Marina stepped down as GCSC Chair.

“It is sad to no longer chair the Commission” said Marina. “After two years of working together, we have become close friends. I led different delegations and working groups, but this Commission is unique in terms of its composition and level—25 prominent Commissioners representing a wide range of geographic regions as well as government, industry, technical and civil society stakeholders. On the other hand, I am looking forward to becoming a member of the Estonian parliament while remaining a GCSC Commissioner under the leadership of Latha Reddy and Michael Chertoff.”

“Marina’s leadership was crucial in starting the Commission and getting us where we are today” said Co-Chair Latha Reddy, former Deputy National Security Advisor of India. “While we regret to see her go, we are pleased that she will remain with the Commission, and continue to provide us with her insights” said GCSC Co-Chair Michael Chertoff, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

Alexander Klimburg, Director of the GCSC Secretariat stated that “we are grateful for Marina’s efforts and we hope you will all join us in wishing her the very best in her political life.”

The members of the Commission, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, the EastWest Institute, the partners and sponsors of the Commission all want to express their gratitude to Marina for the strong leadership and commitment she has shown in taking the Commission forward.