New York-Sana
Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Bashar Al-Jaafari, warned against the destructive use of cyberspace and information and communication technology by the governments of some regional and Western countries and continues to undermine security, economy and societies in other countries and interfere in their internal affairs.
Speaking at the meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, General Debate, Al-Jaafari said, “Those States that are developing their capabilities for the destructive use of cyberspace and ICTs feel free from cyber attacks. The reality is otherwise and that is why we stress the need to succeed in our deliberations to agree on a binding legal text for all Member States in this area.
“Challenges to our world are increasing, both conventional and foremost, the development and modernization of nuclear arsenals and the threat of their use, as well as the spread of terrorism and its adoption as a political weapon by the governments of member states or those threats and challenges related to cybersecurity and ICTs that some countries use to undermine stability,” he said. Particular states and to interfere in their internal affairs.
`` What happened in Syria is perhaps the biggest evidence of the destructive behavior that has been followed and still followed by the governments of some regional and Western countries by hosting satellite channels broadcasting the fatwa of takfir, calling for killing and destruction and inciting terrorism in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
Al-Jaafari pointed out that cyberspace and information and communication technology contribute to the development of societies, but at the same time represents a real threat to international peace and security when used in a destructive manner.
Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations stressed that "worse is to allow the existence of websites on the Internet of terrorist organizations listed as terrorist organizations in the Security Council such as" Daesh "and" Jabhat al-Nusra "and al-Qaeda in addition to other terrorist organizations, including on the sites And to allow regulators on behalf of these terrorist organizations to speak to the public and to make such platforms available to terrorist organizations is in itself the destructive use of cyberspace. ”
“My country believes in serious multilateral action and that is why we were among the sponsors of resolution 27/73, which established our working group, which is the right step towards a subject of utmost importance because of its positive and negative effects on international development, prosperity, hope and peace so that all countries can participate and contribute,” Jaafari said. Members in the work of the subject under consideration. ”
Al-Jaafari said: “Syria affirms that this working group fulfills its mandate to develop international norms, standards and principles of responsible conduct of States, which will enable us to reach as soon as possible an international legally binding instrument in this framework and taking into account the rapid and ongoing developments in cyberspace and technology. Information and Communication. ”
In this regard, he called for the establishment of a permanent body or an institutional mechanism under the auspices of the United Nations, with the participation of all Member States, to constantly consider all relevant topics, including new developments in the field of information and communications, emerging threats, peaceful resolution of conflicts, international cooperation, assistance and facilitation of technology transfer to States. .
Al-Jaafari concluded by saying that Syria, like other countries, is looking forward to obtaining the report of the working group before the end of this year, with the aim of allowing countries to study it and submit their views and suggestions on it at the second meeting of the working group.