サイバー脅威の展望等に関する安保理アリア・フォーミュラ会合における山﨑大使ステートメント
令和6年4月4日
(As delivered)
I thank Ambassador Hwang for his leadership for hosting this meeting.
Also, I thank the distinguished briefers for their informative contributions.
We have seen a rise in cyberattacks targeting the foundations of our societies, including disruption or destruction of critical infrastructure, interference in foreign elections, ransom demands and steal of sensitive information, even in the form of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Cryptocurrency theft poses a significant threat, with $1.7 billion stolen globally last year, according to industry reports, potentially funding illicit activities like WMD and missile programs.
Ransomware's transnational reach threatens national security, finance, and personal data protection.
Additionally, the proliferation of commercial cyber intrusion tools, like spyware, raises questions and concerns over its impact on national security, human rights and fundamental freedoms, international peace and security, and a free, fair, and secure cyberspace, broadening access to dangerous capabilities that can be misused by malicious actors.
Malicious cyber activities may also pose a significant threat to nuclear power plants or even nuclear command and control systems, which could lead to an unimaginable nuclear catastrophe.
International cooperation is not an option but an absolute necessity for all of us.
Japan attaches great importance to the current Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) as an inclusive platform under UN auspices.
That being said, allow me to outline Japan’s priorities on ICT governance.
First, a greater role for the Security Council.
The Council must closely monitor any situations involving serious cyber incidents that have grave consequences for international peace and security, including those targeted at critical infrastructure.
Also, the Council must pay closer attention to the growing cyber threats to the global arms control and non-proliferation regime.
With greater access to advanced cyber technologies, States could misuse such tools to illicitly finance their weapons programs, or they could simply steal the blueprints for weapons.
One notorious example is North Korea’s WMD and missile program.
The 1718 Committee Panel of Experts has provided fact-based, independent assessments and analysis, and its recent report once again confirmed that North Korea has been conducting malicious cyber activities such as cryptocurrency theft and illicit financial operations to fund their WMD program.
In this context, it is highly regrettable that the mandate renewal of the Panel was vetoed by a permanent member of the Council.
However, we must continue to work together to ensure the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions on North Korea.
Cybercrimes and malicious cyber operations can also be used by terrorists or any other non-State actors.
The work of the 1540 Committee must also be continuously updated to effectively address emerging WMD proliferation challenges posed by non-State actors.
Second priority is the rule of law in cyberspace.
We stress the importance of upholding existing international law in cyberspace through concrete discussions about how international law applies in the cyber domain, rather than pursuing new legal instruments.
Another primary task of States must be to consider how to implement and operationalize our agreed norms, rules, and principles of responsible State behavior.
Third priority is confidence-building measures.
Enhancing mutual understanding among States can help mitigate the risk of tensions or escalation. In this regard, Japan welcomes the recent establishment of the global Points of Contact.
Fourth priority is capacity-building. Japan is fully committed to the promotion of capacity-building and will provide constructive and practical contributions to the Global Roundtable on capacity-building scheduled for May.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that Japan is firmly committed to safeguarding a free, fair, and secure cyberspace. The Security Council must remain seized more frequently on the emerging security risks associated with ICTs.
I thank you.
Also, I thank the distinguished briefers for their informative contributions.
We have seen a rise in cyberattacks targeting the foundations of our societies, including disruption or destruction of critical infrastructure, interference in foreign elections, ransom demands and steal of sensitive information, even in the form of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Cryptocurrency theft poses a significant threat, with $1.7 billion stolen globally last year, according to industry reports, potentially funding illicit activities like WMD and missile programs.
Ransomware's transnational reach threatens national security, finance, and personal data protection.
Additionally, the proliferation of commercial cyber intrusion tools, like spyware, raises questions and concerns over its impact on national security, human rights and fundamental freedoms, international peace and security, and a free, fair, and secure cyberspace, broadening access to dangerous capabilities that can be misused by malicious actors.
Malicious cyber activities may also pose a significant threat to nuclear power plants or even nuclear command and control systems, which could lead to an unimaginable nuclear catastrophe.
International cooperation is not an option but an absolute necessity for all of us.
Japan attaches great importance to the current Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) as an inclusive platform under UN auspices.
That being said, allow me to outline Japan’s priorities on ICT governance.
First, a greater role for the Security Council.
The Council must closely monitor any situations involving serious cyber incidents that have grave consequences for international peace and security, including those targeted at critical infrastructure.
Also, the Council must pay closer attention to the growing cyber threats to the global arms control and non-proliferation regime.
With greater access to advanced cyber technologies, States could misuse such tools to illicitly finance their weapons programs, or they could simply steal the blueprints for weapons.
One notorious example is North Korea’s WMD and missile program.
The 1718 Committee Panel of Experts has provided fact-based, independent assessments and analysis, and its recent report once again confirmed that North Korea has been conducting malicious cyber activities such as cryptocurrency theft and illicit financial operations to fund their WMD program.
In this context, it is highly regrettable that the mandate renewal of the Panel was vetoed by a permanent member of the Council.
However, we must continue to work together to ensure the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions on North Korea.
Cybercrimes and malicious cyber operations can also be used by terrorists or any other non-State actors.
The work of the 1540 Committee must also be continuously updated to effectively address emerging WMD proliferation challenges posed by non-State actors.
Second priority is the rule of law in cyberspace.
We stress the importance of upholding existing international law in cyberspace through concrete discussions about how international law applies in the cyber domain, rather than pursuing new legal instruments.
Another primary task of States must be to consider how to implement and operationalize our agreed norms, rules, and principles of responsible State behavior.
Third priority is confidence-building measures.
Enhancing mutual understanding among States can help mitigate the risk of tensions or escalation. In this regard, Japan welcomes the recent establishment of the global Points of Contact.
Fourth priority is capacity-building. Japan is fully committed to the promotion of capacity-building and will provide constructive and practical contributions to the Global Roundtable on capacity-building scheduled for May.
In conclusion, let me reiterate that Japan is firmly committed to safeguarding a free, fair, and secure cyberspace. The Security Council must remain seized more frequently on the emerging security risks associated with ICTs.
I thank you.