Informal Plenary Meeting of the CD On Cyber Security and International Cooperation

.

 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Statement by Mr. Nabi Azadi

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

The Informal Plenary Meeting of the CD On 

Cyber Security and International Cooperation

Geneva, 11 August 2022

 

Thank you Mr. President,

At the outset I would like to thank you H. E. Dr. Desire Cashmir, Minister of Digital Technologies of the DRC, for chairing this informal meeting and I also thank the panellists for their useful presentations and contributions.  

As the world is increasingly digitized and interconnected by use of information and communication technologies and the critical infrastructures are being more and more dependent on ICTs, the new and sophisticated risks and threats of malicious use of ICTs against those critical infrastructures are growing too. 

Due to the global and sophisticated nature of the cyber, the associated threats and challenges are global and at the same time multifarious and divers. Therefore, no country or region can tackle the challenges, risks and threats alone and international cooperation and capacity building is indispensable.      

Mr. President, 

Another major challenge related to the cyberspace is cyber terrorism and criminal use of ICTs. 

Furthermore, the unique specifications of cyber domain such as multistakeholders, non-state actors, complexity and breadth of cyber domain, the dynamism of digital technologies, the difficulty of attribution of cyber incidents, invisibility of the cyber threat and at the same time the concrete and extend of physical consequences of cyber incidents all add the complexity of the issue as well as the importance and urgency of dealing with the threats posed by malicious use of cyber operations. In some cases, the malicious use of cyber has the potential to not only destabilize a state but also endanger both regional and international peace and security.   

Mr. President,

Regrettably there is a race by a number of states to develop offensive cyber capabilities with subversive aims attempt to overtly or covertly use cyberspace to intervene in the political process, disrupt economic structure and services and social affairs of other states. This was acknowledged by the recent

OEWG report as it says “a number of States are developing ICT capabilities for military purposes.” And this is a matter of great concern. 

Certain States consider cyberspace as a war-fighting domain and have acquired cyber warfare capabilities and techniques. Malwares and cyber weapons have also been used by some States. As a result, there exists a great deal of potential for the eruption of cyber conflicts between States that might lead to military confrontation.

To respond to these concerns and challenges, some national measures are being taken. However, there is a dire need for a multilateral and international instrument to prevent such cyber conflict and address the security problems of cyberspace. 

Mr. President, 

As a victim of cyber terrorism, Iran strongly supports the development of international legally binding norms and rules concerning the prevention of the use of ICT and cyberspace for malicious purposes. Those who are seeking dominance and superiority in cyberspace aspire to maintain the status quo. They reject any step towards developing international legal norms as it would limit their freedom in the application of their offensive cyber capabilities against other States.

Mr. President, 

A serious substantive discussion is critical to explore the ways and means of developing an international legally binding norms and rules for addressing cybersecurity issues. This is particularly important due to the fact that the development of existing international law preceded the advent of cyberspace and cyber warfare. Therefore, many questions on how to apply existing international law on cyber activities must be clarified. This has to be done in an inclusive process with the participation of all States, that would allow all States to participate in the process of international norm-setting and rule-making, with respect to the security aspects of the use of ICT.

Mr. President, 

More than a decade ago, when in a criminal and cyber terrorism, the Stuxnet as a cyber-weapon was used by the United States against Iran’s nuclear facility that was operating under the IAEA safeguards and monitoring system, maybe no one could imagine that a virtual entity can become a reality. Nonetheless, the Stuxnet demonstrated that the cyber weapons are real as other weapons and can have concrete and extend impacts. Though, that terrorist cyber-attack did not have any human casualties, but there is no guarantee that this will be the case for future cyber-attacks. 

Mr. President, 

Iran welcomed and supported the establishment of the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of ICTs which was established pursuant to the UNGA resolution 75/240 and fully and constructively participated in its sessions. We share the aspirations of many other member states that this OEWG will guide the international community toward a just, free, open, secure, and sustainable cyberspace. 

As with regard to the OEWG annual progress report, Iran demonstrated it outmost flexibility and joined the consensus as the report was unable to include the necessary elements. In accordance with Resolution 75/240, establishing the OEWG, the working method of the group is consensus. This process should be sufficiently representative in form, content and negotiation methodology and reflecting the views of all states.

Mr. President, 

As the importance of international cooperation and capacity building were rightly highlighted by the distinguished panelists and by the you, Mr. Minister, in consideration of the cybersecurity issues, I should underline that the following elements, among others, should be taken into account: 

• Right of all States to ICT research and development as well as to manufacturing, utilizing and transferring ICT products and services for peaceful purposes should be fully respected;
• Commitment of States, in their use of ICT, to observe the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereign equality, the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, the prohibition of the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the UN, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and non-intervention and non-

interference in the internal affairs of States; 

• The need to remove the major impediments that developing countries face in accessing ICT and its related know-how, technologies and services;
• Establishment of specific mechanisms and measures for international cooperation and capacity building.

Securing a conducive environment for the broadest possible use of ICT by all nations and preventing their use for illegal purposes is indeed an indispensable collective responsibility that requires international cooperation and capacity building. Iran stands ready to contribute to the fulfillment of this noble objective.

I thank you Mr. President.