Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the First Committee Thematic Debate under Cluster 5 ‘Other Disarmament Measures and International Security’

(25 October 2024, New York)

Chair,

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We would like to make additional remarks in our national capacity. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer immense potential benefits for the well-being and advancement of people and societies, as well as can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

However, rapid development of ICTs progressively led to the “re-formatting” of internet space: it is no longer a comfortable platform for communication, but also real weapon, which becomes more and more dangerous in hands of hackers, criminals, some state actors and their proxies.

In order to respond to the evolving cyber landscape, States have developed a cumulative and evolving framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

As reaffirmed by the United Nations, international law, including the UN Charter, is applicable in cyber domain. In addition, States agreed on voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible State behaviour, which can reduce risks to international peace, security and stability and play an important role in increasing predictability and reducing risks of misperceptions, thus contributing to the prevention of conflict.

Notwithstanding the achievements reached at strengthening the framework of responsible behaior in cyberspace, we are witnessing an increased number of malicious cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure, including the energy sector, public services and electoral processes.

Ransomware has become increasingly common and poses a significant risk to government, businesses, and individuals.

In this context, the Russian Federation’s has been waging a warfare against Ukraine both with conventional means and in cyber domain.

Since 2022, Russia has been using a wide range of cyber means against Ukraine, including:

- phishing attacks;

- distribution of malicious software;

- DDoS attacks;

- cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, in particular on power grids, transport systems and water supply;

- cyberespionage, including theft of data of government institutions, enterprises and individuals;

- disinformation and propaganda.

One of the strategic goals of the Russian Federation’s activity in cyberspace is to support its kinetic warfare against Ukraine, in particular by causing a destructive impact socio-political and economic processes, as well as create havoc by destroying electronic resources, blocking the operation of critical services, as well as manipulating public opinion.

Chair, 

The Russian Federation's war against Ukraine in cyberspace has accelerated the need to significantly strengthen international cooperation to ensure sustainable development and secure cyberspace.

The Ukrainian side considers cyber capacity building as one of priority areas in order to improve the overall resilience of States against malicious cyber operations.

In this regard, Ukraine actively collaborates with international partners, particularly NATO and the European Union. Ukraine has also joined a number of multilateral mechanisms and initiatives, including the International Counter Ransomware Initiative, as well as the Tallinn Mechanism.

It is worth noting that the Tallinn Mechanism has been established to strengthen the cooperation in the field of cybersecurity against the backdrop of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and complement existing international efforts aimed at enhancing cyber resilience and cyber defense of Ukraine's civil infrastructure.

In this regard, from 9 to 11 October 2024, the Ukrainian delegation participated at the sixth meeting of representatives from countries participating in the Tallinn Mechanism, held in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium.

The convening of the afore-mentioned meeting allowed to discuss mechanisms for responding to cyber attacks, increasing state readiness for cyber threats, developing strategies for protecting critical infrastructure, as well overall interaction with stakeholders, including private sector.

Chair,

This year a number of important achievements on cybersecurity have been reached at the United Nations.

Ukraine welcomes the adoption of the Third Annual Progress Report (APR) of the Open-Ended Working Group on the security of and in the use of information and communication technologies 2021-2025 (OEWG).

We particularly appreciate the inclusion of reference in the APR to ransomware in the APR.

In this regard, we stress the importance of continuing deliberations on all OEWG’s agenda items, which should lead to the adoption of the ambitious final document of the OEWG next year.

Ukraine considers the Global Point of Contact directory a step in the right direction towards enhancing international cooperation on ICT security and an important confidence-building measure.

We also welcome the convening of the High-level Global Roundtable on ICT Security Capacity-Building on 10 May 2024, where Member States had an opportunity to share their experience and exchange of views on capacity-building.

On the issue of a regular institutional dialogue, as one of co-sponsors of the Programme of Action to Advance Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace (PoA), we continue strongly supporting the establishment of this single-track and permanent mechanism after the end of the mandate of the current OEWG.

Ukraine is open to share its unique experience in combating malicious cyber activities and contribute to the development of cyber defense.

We also invite UN Member States to continue working together to raise awareness, build capacities, especially in the light of already existing, as well as emerging threats in cyber domain.

 Thank you.