Statement delivered by Ms. Neishanta Benn, Minister Counsellor, at the UNSC Arria-Formula Meeting on 'Cybersecurity – Evolving Cyberthreat Landscape and its Implications for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security'

I thank the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the United States for convening this Arria-Formula Meeting on Cyber Security. I also wish to thank Mr. Ebo, Dr. Geiss, and Ms. Kennedy for their briefings.

Excellencies, Colleagues,

Cyberspace forms part of our everyday life and plays an essential role in our countries’ social and economic development. However, the rapid advancement of technology has brought with it surges in cyberthreats, cyberattacks and cybercrimes with implications for the maintenance of international peace and security. Cybersecurity is, therefore, a major issue that must be addressed, as we seek to create an open and secure cyberspace.

In recent years, we have witnessed a growth in criminal activities within cyberspace, including by non-State actors. Such activities range from the hacking of Government websites and attacks on critical information infrastructure to spreading of misinformation and incitement of violence, online exploitation, and the illicit use of cryptocurrencies. An open cyberspace is also creating opportunities for terrorist organisations to divert finances to fund their activities, plan attacks and recruit and train persons to join their networks.

These activities have exposed significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities in both developed and developing countries, more-so in the case of the latter. In these circumstances, attention to and investment in strengthening cyber capabilities and cyber resilience at the national, regional, and international levels are critical.

Focus should also be placed on bolstering cybersecurity to address criminal activities in cyberspace and its associated risks and vulnerabilities. To this end, there must be increased efforts to promote public awareness, robust regional and international cooperation, capacity building initiatives and public-private partnerships. There is also a need to establish international technical standards and legislative frameworks to govern the safe use of cyberspace.  

Nationally, Guyana has been undertaking some of these initiatives, which include training in the public sector to raise cybersecurity awareness and on protecting digital information and the modernisation of our Cybercrime Act. At the global level, Guyana recognises and has been participating in the processes within the UN system that are dedicated to addressing cyber issues, including the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) and the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. Given the evolving cyberthreat landscape, regional and international cooperation in cybersecurity is of paramount importance.

The Security Council, in fulfilling its mandate of maintaining international peace and security, must be a part of the dialogue on cybersecurity, and explore ways of preventing and addressing conflicts arising from or being exacerbated by cyber threats and attacks.

In conclusion, co-Chairs, Guyana wishes to underscore the importance of continuing discussions and engagements on cybersecurity towards advancing a global response to ongoing and future cyberthreats.

I thank you.