Mr. Chair,
Allow me to thank the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Korea, along with the United States and Japan, for convening this important meeting. I also thank the briefers for their valuable briefing.
In the evolving digital landscape, cyber threats loom large and very often imminent, disrupting global financial, democratic, socio-cultural, and security structures. The 2024 Global Risks Report underscores cyber threats as one of the gravest challenges of our time, estimating potential cybercrime costs of $24 trillion by 2027. Such an astounding figure demand our immediate and urgent action.
Chair,
To answer your guiding questions, allow me to highlight the following points:
First, the proliferation of cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, cyber espionage, and mis and disinformation campaigns through deep fakes, poses significant risks to global peace and stability. These threats not only target critical infrastructure but also undermine democratic processes and societal harmony, including through spreading xenophobia, intolerance, and stereotyping.
Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence and quantum computing have magnified the scope and complexity of cyber-attacks. With billions relying on digital platforms for daily activities, the urgency to address these threats has reached unprecedented levels.
Second, we firmly believe that in the face of such a grave threat, we are only as strong as our weakest link. Therefore, enhanced international cooperation and coordination are indispensable today. Strengthening cybersecurity measures, fostering information-sharing mechanisms, and investing in capacity-building initiatives are imperative to bolster resilience against cyber threats. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of upholding the principles of sovereign equality and international law in the digital domain. We must sort out ways and means to strike a balance between freedom of expression and harmful dissemination of misinformation.
Third, in this rapidly evolving cyber landscape, we commend the Open-Ended Working Group on ICT security for facilitating vital international discourse and collaboration. The General Assembly, reflecting the global will and aspirations of the international community, remains the key platform for such critical discussions, enabling all States to actively participate in shaping our collective cyber future. We also hope that the Global Digital Compact will also be an important opportunity to address this issue, and the General Assembly and the Security Council would undertake a collaborative approach to its effective implementation.
Finally, we must work together to develop norms, standards, and regulations that promote a safe, secure, non-discriminatory, and stable digital environment for all. The Council could play a vital role in fostering confidence-building measures, including through effective information sharing, in this regard. Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to collaborating, bilaterally and multilaterally, with the global community to address the evolving global cyber security threat landscape.
I thank you.