27 Countries Pledge to Promote Responsible Cyberspace Behavior

• 27 countries have signed a cybersecurity pledge to encourage responsible behavior in the cyberworld.
• The statement was released on Monday at the United Nations.

Overview

The countries agreed to work together by taking necessary measures against the evils in the cyber world.

• The statement says that international laws, with respect to cyberspace, must be followed.
• It acknowledges the fact that cyberspace has brought a lot of benefits, but also points out that many state and non-state actors are using the platform for illicit activities such as stealing ideas and targeting democracies and international organizations.
• It urges other states to join to ensure better accountability in cyberspace.
• Emphasizing human rights, the statement said that states must respect and protect these rights when dealing with cybersecurity.

“As responsible states that uphold the international rules-based order, we recognize our role in safeguarding the benefits of a free, open, and secure cyberspace for future generations,” reads the statement.

Who affirmed the statement?

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States affirmed this statement.

It is worth noting that all members of the Five Eyes (Australia, Canda, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have signed this pledge.

More details

Tobias Feakin, Australia's ambassador for cyber affairs, told CNN, “The purpose of a statement like this is to show to the international community that we've already agreed to a lot in the international system. So having 27 different countries sign that statement is a very powerful illustration that more and more countries are becoming tired of other states who're unwilling to adhere to what we've already agreed to in international law. And it's really pertinent that it's done when the world's attention is on the UN.”