Introduction*
Cyberspace has now permeated almost every dimension of human life, ranging from political and economic to social and cultural. The new domain has transformed how societies function and how states, non-state actors, and individuals interact.1 While the accelerating digital transformation across commerce, education, communication, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud technologies, energy infrastructure and transportation has substantially enhanced interconnectivity and efficiency, it has also introduced new vulnerabilities, regulatory challenges, and cross-border security risks that no single government alone can handle.2 Given this dual characteristic of virtual transformation, states have set out to develop digital sovereignty projects and espouse various strategies (e.g., national cybersecurity frameworks) to counter and mitigate emerging digital risks and threats.3 However, these strategies are usually localized or regionalized in scope.4 Although cyber technology and regulatory changes co-evolve, the pace of digital innovation has significantly exceeded the ability of states to react.5 This gap emphasizes the urgent need for global cyber governance to address these challenges and ensure inclusivity, openness, and security in the virtual landscape.6
