25 October 2024

Madam Chair,

Pope Francis, in his Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti, stated that “the ever-increasing number of interconnections and communications in today’s world makes us powerfully aware of the unity and common destiny of the nations”[1]. However, the malicious use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by both State and non-State actors threatens this profound awareness. Cyberattacks on hospitals, medical and educational facilities, food distribution centers, and other humanitarian networks have increased significantly in recent years in every corner of the world. Health, education and humanitarian facilities run by the Catholic Church, have also been the target of numerous attacks, most of which have had a detrimental impact on the civilian population.

Such abuses threaten global stability and undermine the trust required for international cooperation, which is essential in the current international geopolitical situation.

To counter these threats, States should strengthen their digital infrastructures and work together to implement strong safeguards and ethical guidelines against the harmful use of ICTs. The Holy See supports the creation of international norms and institutions that promote dialogue and the use of ICTs and welcomes the adoption by consensus of the Third Annual Progress Report of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs.

The Holy See welcomes the Voluntary Checklist published in the Annual Report as a significant step both “towards resolving people’s concrete problems”[2] and towards strengthening global cooperation through the implementation of norms of responsible State behavior in the use of ICTs. For this reason, my Delegation strongly encourages States to engage in further discussion on the Voluntary Checklist in future sessions of the OEWG, while taking into account the technical gaps between States, the diversity of national systems, and regional specificities.

The Holy See also commends the efforts made to implement the creation of a global, intergovernmental directory of Points of Contact (POC), which will facilitate dialogue and build trust in the event of incidents in cyberspace.

Madam Chair,

The application of international law and international humanitarian law to cyberspace is of paramount importance for the maintenance of peace and security, as reiterated at the sixth, seventh and eighth sessions, as well as at the dedicated intersessional meetings of the OEWG. In this regard, my Delegation is convinced that the voluntary exchange of national views and positions of Member States, which may include national statements and State practices, on the application of international law to the use of ICTs is essential to make progress in this direction and to achieve consensus within the international community.

Madam Chair,

Given the rapid pace of technological developments, the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, and the pervasive integration of ICTs into all aspects of society, it is imperative that the international community maintains its commitment to collective action. This commitment is essential for protecting vulnerable people from the malicious use of ICTs. Indeed, by working together and strengthening our global partnerships, we can ensure that technological progress serves the common good rather than becoming a tool for harm.

Thank you, Madam Chair.
 

[1] Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, 96.

[2] Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter, Laudato Sì, 112.