In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Statement by the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to the UNGA 75 First Committee
Thematic Discussion:
Other Disarmament Measures
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Mr. Chairman,
My delegation associates itself with the NAM statement delivered by Indonesia.
Mr. Chair,
Iran strongly supports the establishment of international legal norms and rules concerning the prevention of the use of ICT and cyberspace for malicious purposes. We believe that in developing such norms and rules, multilateralism, including the UN’s role, should be considered as the core principle of negotiations while setting demand-driven rules under international cooperation and capacity building. They should also be seen as a way to balance the “security” and “development” of all nations. It is worth mentioning that cyberspace activities shall undermine neither the sovereign rights of States nor the public order and security of countries.
Some States with subversive aims attempt to overtly or covertly misuse cyberspace to intervene in the political, economic, and social affairs and systems of other States.
Iran has been among the first victims of the malicious use of ICTs when it was attacked by Stuxnet against its peaceful nuclear program thus marking Iran as the first cyber Hiroshima in the world. Iran strongly advocates retaining this domain exclusively peaceful. We believe that the malicious use of ICTs is threatening not only international relations and security but also States’ sovereignty, internal affairs, political stability, economic and social systems, national and cultural values as well as social integrity.
Fortunately, a unique and inclusive process in the format of the OEWG on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security was initiated in 2018. It has proven that its establishment was the right choice made by Member States through Resolution 73/27. As indicated by its mandate in paragraph 5 of the Resolution, the OEWG is in place to remedy the previous less “democratic, inclusive and transparent” processes. We hope that it will be able to submit its progress report to the current UNGA, and the process will allude to the incomplete work done by the relevant GGE.
Thank you, Mr. Chair!