Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, on the occasion of the UN Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting: “Cyber-Attacks Against Critical Infrastructure”
2020/8/26
(As delivered)
Thank you Djani,
First, I would like to thank Indonesia, Belgium, Estonia and Vietnam for organizing this very important Arria-Formula Meeting.
Today’s topic is more relevant than ever. COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased people’s reliance on information and communication technology (ICTs) and accentuated the risk of malicious use of ICTs. COVID-19 brought to light that cyber-attack against critical infrastructure, in particular those targeting medical institutions and authorities, is a real threat to human security and could harm the survival, livelihood and dignity of people and disrupt peaceful societies.
Japan will not condone any cyberattacks and malicious cyber activities that try to take advantage of the ongoing human security crisis caused by COVID-19. All of us need to work to ensure the safety and stability of the cyber domain.
Vigilant adherence to existing rules, including international law and voluntary norms, is crucial for upholding an accessible, open, interoperable, reliable and secure cyberspace.
All UN Member States agree that existing international law, including the UN Charter in its entirety, applies to cyberspace. This shared recognition should be the starting point in deterring cyber-attacks, including those targeting critical infrastructure.
Norms of responsible State behavior in cyberspace also play an indispensable role, complementing the application of existing international law. All UN Member States, by adopting the relevant GA resolution “by consensus”, have accepted 11 norms regarding responsible State behavior proposed by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) in 2015. Therefore, these norms need to be respected.
Japan cosponsored a joint proposal at the Open -ended Working Group (OEWG) that provides guidance for refraining and preventing any cyber-attacks against medical services and medical facilities, regarded as critical infrastructure for the purposes of norms agreed in 2015. In light of the persistent challenge of COVID-19, we sincerely hope this proposal would contribute to enhancing the protection of medical infrastructure that are of critical importance in our collective fight against the pandemic.
Thank you very much.
First, I would like to thank Indonesia, Belgium, Estonia and Vietnam for organizing this very important Arria-Formula Meeting.
Today’s topic is more relevant than ever. COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased people’s reliance on information and communication technology (ICTs) and accentuated the risk of malicious use of ICTs. COVID-19 brought to light that cyber-attack against critical infrastructure, in particular those targeting medical institutions and authorities, is a real threat to human security and could harm the survival, livelihood and dignity of people and disrupt peaceful societies.
Japan will not condone any cyberattacks and malicious cyber activities that try to take advantage of the ongoing human security crisis caused by COVID-19. All of us need to work to ensure the safety and stability of the cyber domain.
Vigilant adherence to existing rules, including international law and voluntary norms, is crucial for upholding an accessible, open, interoperable, reliable and secure cyberspace.
All UN Member States agree that existing international law, including the UN Charter in its entirety, applies to cyberspace. This shared recognition should be the starting point in deterring cyber-attacks, including those targeting critical infrastructure.
Norms of responsible State behavior in cyberspace also play an indispensable role, complementing the application of existing international law. All UN Member States, by adopting the relevant GA resolution “by consensus”, have accepted 11 norms regarding responsible State behavior proposed by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) in 2015. Therefore, these norms need to be respected.
Japan cosponsored a joint proposal at the Open -ended Working Group (OEWG) that provides guidance for refraining and preventing any cyber-attacks against medical services and medical facilities, regarded as critical infrastructure for the purposes of norms agreed in 2015. In light of the persistent challenge of COVID-19, we sincerely hope this proposal would contribute to enhancing the protection of medical infrastructure that are of critical importance in our collective fight against the pandemic.
Thank you very much.