63 UN member states warn of 'malicious use of cyberspace'

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) – Sixty-three UN members on Thursday warned against the "malicious use of cyberspace," saying money got through darknet and cryptocurrency theft has international ramifications and can be used to fund terrorist networks and develop nuclear weapons.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul made a statement on behalf of 63 member states at the UN headquarters, saying, "Malicious use of cyberspace poses a significant challenge in today’s interconnected world, as states rely heavily on digital infrastructure for communication, commerce, and governance."

The joint statement noted that the revenues collected by darknet and cryptocurrency thieves have cross-border implications and can be used to support terrorist activities and nuclear weapon development.

Emphasizing the importance of addressing capacity building in the field of cyberspace in collaboration with the UN, the statement expressed "deep concern over malicious cyber activities targeting critical infrastructure as they can cause cascading effects across borders and sectors including the healthcare, maritime, aviation, space, energy, and financial sectors."

It acknowledged the "evident" link between cyber threats and international peace and security and stressed that the Security Council should play a "key role in addressing cyber threats."

It also emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to cyberspace under the Security Council's mandate, underscoring that the Security Council should be "agile and relevant" in light of rapidly evolving technologies.