Mister President,
I would like to thank Dr. Tedros, Director-General of the WHO, and Mr. Conrad for their detailed contributions.
Switzerland welcomes the Security Council's renewed focus on the important issue of cybersecurity. Threats in cyberspace, particularly those emanating from state actors or tolerated by
States, can threaten international peace and security, as recognized in the Pact for the Future.
The many opportunities offered by developments in information and communication technologies are undeniable.
Equally well known is the diversity of threats and state and non-state actors who exploit system vulnerabilities to conduct malicious cyber actions.
Among these, ransomware attacks against the healthcare system is a very worrying trend that has been growing globally since 2020.
As the digitization of healthcare enables great progress for the benefit of the population, its cyber infrastructure is becoming increasingly complex and costly to secure. The need to remain operational at all times increases the pressure on both healthcare providers and public authorities. Such attacks are therefore a particularly insidious way of targeting a state's critical infrastructure and sovereignty. Recent reports of collaboration between a group sponsored by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Play ransomware network raise serious security concerns, as this could lead to more widespread and damaging attacks on a global scale.
Let me highlight three aspects:
First, we reiterate that international law, including the UN Charter, international human rights conventions, and, in the event of armed conflict, international humanitarian law, applies and must be respected in cyberspace.
In particular, the principle of due diligence, which has been developed over a long period of time and, in Switzerland's view, is part of customary international law, calls on all States not to knowingly allow their territory to be used for actions contrary to the rights of other States. This applies to the physical world as well as to cyberspace. States are called upon to exercise due diligence to prevent criminal groups from using their ICT infrastructure, and to cooperate nationally and internationally to hinder the activities of such groups. This principle is also recognized in the UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, adopted by consensus. These norms also require States not to knowingly conduct or support cyber operations against critical infrastructure, such as health services.
Second, repression of criminal groups operating in cyberspace is important; recent police actions have had a significant impact on such groups. But repression alone will not eliminate the phenomenon. States must act and take appropriate measures to prevent attacks on their critical infrastructure. In the area of cybersecurity, we attach particular importance to strengthening the resilience and security of the health sector.
Third, in this often transnational context, we can only succeed together. International cooperation and capacity building in all States must be promoted in order to increase the resilience and security of the global cyber ecosystem. The Counter Ransomware initiative, of which Switzerland is a member, is an important forum in this respect.
In addition, States must comply more fully with their international obligations regarding requests for mutual legal assistance to enable prosecution wherever the perpetrator is identified.
On a multilateral level, I would like to emphasize the importance of the “Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security”. Next year, it will be important for the Group to be able to recommend the creation of a single mechanism within the General Assembly to continue the work, building on the achievements of recent years.
Madam President,
“Navigate Uncertainty, Strengthen Humanity” was the theme of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. One of the resolutions adopted in this context emphasized the importance of international humanitarian law in protecting civilians and civilian objects in the context of armed conflicts in the digital universe.
The Security Council also has a role to play. It must promote respect for international law and the implementation of the Normative Framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, so that our populations can benefit from the vast opportunities that cyberspace offers, notably in the field of health.
I thank you.