President,
I have the pleasure to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway.
Let me start by thanking the Republic of Korea for taking the initiative to organise this timely meeting. It is only the second time the Council officially addresses the important topic of cyber security. I would also wish to extend our gratitude to the Secretary-General Guterres, Mr. Duguin, and professor Ifanyi-Ajufo for their briefings.
President,
Developments in the cyber threat landscape have been worrying since the Council first discussed this issue under the Estonian presidency in 2021Firstly, the threat from state-sponsored cyber action has continued, most notably in the context of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s cyber capabilities have been weaponized in Ukraine in an attempt to undermine trust in authorities and to destroy critical infrastructure. We continue to place importance on Ukraine’s cyber defence, as well as protecting our own societies from malicious actors. In this context, we would like to again underline that the international law applies also in cyberspace.
Secondly, the blurring of lines between state-sponsored, non-state and criminal actors has continued to grow. Key concerns include the increasing number of ransomware attacks and the accessibility of advanced cyber tools and techniques to a broader range of both State and non-state actors.
Finally, linked to all of these threats, a particular concern is the increasing targeting of critical sectors and infrastructure by malicious actors. In responding to these threats, the Nordic countries would particularly like to highlight the importance of multistakeholder engagement for cyber security.
We must strive for stronger coordination between governments and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, academia and the private sector. With their access to information, the private sector plays an essential role in cyberspace, as the tech and cyber security companies have a key role in forecasting and responding to threats. It is important to better leverage relevant stakeholders knowledge and capabilities in support of a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace.
In light of the evolving threat landscape, the Nordic countries see increasing benefit in the Security Council discussing the issue more regularly. It is the Council’s role to address risks and threats to international peace and security, which include both conventional and cyber threats. Discussions in the Security Council on current and emerging cyber threats during thematic and country-specific discussions can help raise awareness of the threats, share lessons and formulate appropriate responses.
The Council’s work also complements discussions in other fora. With this in mind, in conclusion I would like to reiterate the support of the Nordic countries for the establishment of a Program of Action on cybersecurity as a permanent, inclusive and action-oriented mechanism to advance responsible State behavior in this domain.
I thank you Mister President.