23 May 2022
Madame President,
We thank the United States for organizing this timely meeting to discuss this as complex as important topic.
Thank you, USG DiCarlo for your insights, as always thoughtful.
Mme. President, we are happy that civil society was given a prominent place at this meeting, and for good reason as we heard, with the breadth of views they offered and recommendations they made. Thank you, Ms. Nyabola and Mr Druet.
The rapid development of technology has changed how the world works, impacting every aspect of modern life. It has become so ingrained in our daily lives that it’s hard to remember what the world was like before it.
Modern technology undeniably brings a number of advantages across multiple sectors. Individuals, states, governments, industry, healthcare and financial systems, regional and international organization, peacekeeping missions, all take advantages of the rapid growth of digital technologies. They help people become more productive; they help companies, entities become more innovative, flexible and adaptive than ever before.
We have gladly embraced interconnectivity of devices and systems which has visibly made our lives and work easier, but this comes inevitably with the cost of exposure to a wide range of threats by malicious forces. The nexus “new tech = new threats” needs no explanation.
There is a common understanding, as we heard, about the immense risks arising from malicious activities, by both state and non-state actors. The misuse of information and communications technologies has a direct impact on international peace and security, as they undermine the integrity, security, economic growth and stability of the global community, leading to disputes and conflicts.
Given the mounting concerns about the dual-use nature of technology and their implications for the maintenance of international peace and security, it is important that the Security Council takes a leading role in assessing such risks and implications.
Madame President,
Artificial intelligence is doing wonders in many sectors, including agriculture and medicine, saving lives, increasing food production, improving energy sources and managing production processes. But, if not properly used and, especially, if ethics are not respected, it can lead to serious breaches of human rights, such as undue surveillance targeting specific groups and communities. As technology usually develops faster than the states’ ability to grasp its full impact, we must make sure that core principles and values—such as equity, equality, inclusivity, responsibility, transparency, and accountability— are preserved from negative impact.
The potential of technology to dramatically impact social cohesion, international peace and security through misuse by states or non-state actors, is unfortunately, significantly growing.
Some countries are continuously trying to deliberately mislead information, distort facts, interfere in democratic processes of others, spread hatred, promote discrimination, incite violence or conflicts by misusing digital technologies. In the same vein, we see with concern unlawful internet shutdowns, restrictions, or denial of human rights and freedoms in using them. The briefers offered concrete examples.
We should redouble efforts to mitigating the harm that they may cause, as outlined in the Report of the Secretary General on the Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and his recommendations.
I want to highlight Albania’s firm position for a global, open, free, stable and secure cyberspace where international law, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms fully apply, supporting social, political and economic development.
Madame President,
We are strongly concerned by the increase of malicious cyber and digital activities in recent months.
We know that Russia’s actions caused communication outages, including against critical infrastructure, not only in Ukraine, but also in other parts of Europe, by deliberately attacking Viasat’s satellite on 24 February 2022, just one hour before Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
Cyber-attacks reportedly originating in Russia have also attempted to interfere in Ukrainian elections, targeted its power grid, defaced its government websites and spread malware in their systems with destructive effect.
Western Balkans are being targeted systematically by campaigns of interference and information manipulation, to trigger, on purpose, political instability and undermine their Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We will not allow it.
Other notorious examples are the repeated malicious activities by the DPRK regime, which is trying to collect intelligence, conduct cyberattacks and generate unlawful income, which, among other, serves to funding its militarization and proliferation in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions. Or the internet shutdowns in Myanmar.
We call for stop of such activities and uphold the norms and the rules-based international order in cyberspace. Internet is not and should not become a weapon but remain a public good.
Madame President,
We welcome the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts and the Open-ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. Through them, members states have agreed on a UN substantial framework that includes existing international law, eleven voluntary non-binding norms, confidence-building measures, capacity building, and the expertise of the multi-stakeholder community.
Colleagues,
Throughout history, new challenges have opened new opportunities for cooperation. Today is no different, although the challenges at hand are highly complex, quickly evolving and come amidst a rising sense of conflict and crisis.
But there is no alternative to meaningful dialogue, cooperation through responsible behavior and normative frameworks on how technological developments are affecting individuals, states and societies, and the uses and applications of technology generating the most disruption, including, in particular those that pose a direct threat to peace and security.
Like for many other aspects, it is on us to decide: share the huge benefits or bear the enormous costs.
Thank you.