Madam Vice-Chair,

Germany aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and wishes to deliver the following remarks in our national capacity.

After almost three decades of cybersecurity discussions at the United Nations, we have a historic step before us. The creation of a Global Mechanism to advance responsible behaviour in cyberspace cements the consensus of all member states that cyberspace is governed by a rules-based international order. Germany would like to thank the Chair of the Open-Ended Working Group on ICTs, Ambassador Borhan Gafoor of Singapore, for his tireless work that led us to consensus and the report just presented to us. Germany calls on all states to support the single resolution tabled by Singapore to secure this historic achievement of UN cyber diplomacy.

Madam Vice-Chair,

Germany recognizes that the creation of the new mechanism is only a first step. The growing cyber threat landscape is a reflection of the dire geopolitical situation and its conflicts. The global rules-based order and multilateralism are under threat, both offline and online. As Germany’s Foreign Minister said in his address to the General Assembly: “We all would only stand to lose in a world where might makes right, where international rules are obsolete […]”. This holds true for cyberspace.

Through the Global Mechanism, we as the United Nations have it in our own hands to build on the consensus acquis developed in the GGEs and OEWGs that were endorsed by the GA, but also not to stop there but go beyond and make cyberspace more open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful.

Therefore, Germany is determined to advance the effective implementation and our understanding of all elements of the framework of responsible state behaviour through our work in the Global Mechanism.

In particular, Germany and seventeen other members of the informal cross-regional group of confidence builders expressed our determination to advance our understanding of how cyber confidence building measures can contribute to addressing common cyber challenges we all face. We look forward to working with all member states towards that shared goal.

Thank you.