STATEMENT BY MISS KARIN CHAI, DELEGATE TO THE 71ST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEMATIC DISCUSSION ON CLUSTER 5: OTHER DISARMAMENT MEASURES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, FIRST COMMITTEE 24 OCTOBER 2016

Thank you Mr Chairman,

1.                 For this thematic discussion, Singapore’s statement will focus on cybersecurity.

2.                 The revolution in information and communication technologies (ICT) and the Internet has fundamentally changed our way of life. We live in an increasingly networked world, where government infrastructure, businesses and individuals depend on ICT. However, with greater connectivity, global ICT networks become inevitably more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A successful attack on supranational critical information infrastructures such as banking, finance and telecommunications can have a knock-on and disproportionate effect on similar critical information infrastructures around the globe. There is a concerted need for us to heighten vigilance and to work together to bolster cybersecurity. We would like to propose some key areas of action.

3.                 First, all states have to act. As Singapore is one of the world’s most connected countries, we are particularly susceptible to cyber-attacks and cybercrime. We have therefore taken steps to protect our networks and promote a secure ICT environment.  This has taken on added importance as Singapore has embarked on a “Smart Nation” initiative to use technology to enable our citizens to live inclusive, meaningful and fulfilled lives.  In 2015, Singapore established the Cyber Security Agency, to raise cyber security awareness, provide centralised oversight and develop a robust cybersecurity ecosystem in Singapore. Just two weeks ago, we successfully organised Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW).  Singapore would like to place on record our appreciation to Under Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Mr Kim Won-soo for participating in the SICW.  During the SICW, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched Singapore’s national cybersecurity strategy. This strategy will guide us in addressing the challenges of cybersecurity and cybercrime in partnership with all relevant stakeholders.

4.                 Second, regional and international cooperation are essential to detect and counter threats in cyberspace. Singapore is working with fellow ASEAN Member States to enhance cybersecurity capacity building and cooperation within Southeast Asia. Singapore has hosted various ASEAN conferences on cybersecurity, such as the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity and ASEAN Cybercrime Prosecutors’ Roundtable Meeting, where concrete measures for cyber capacity-building and cooperation in our region were discussed. To further complement ASEAN efforts, Singapore has launched a 10 million-dollar ASEAN Cyber Capacity Programme (ACCP). The ACCP will host technical and cybersecurity-policy related capacity-building programmes in Singapore with the active involvement of multinational government and non-government stakeholders, as well as international organisations such as the INTERPOL Global Centre for Innovation. Singapore has also taken the lead in the development of an ASEAN Cyber Cooperation Strategy and maturity model for ASEAN Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), as well as the setting up of an ASEAN CERT under the ASEAN IT Masterplan. We will continue to convene the annual ASEAN CERT Incident Drill as we have done for the last 11 years. Internationally, Singapore has forged robust working relationships with like-minded partners in our common effort to build a secure and resilient global cyberspace. Singapore has joined Japan and the United Kingdom as a sponsor of the Cyber Green initiative, which aims to build situational awareness of the cyber threat landscape through a dedicated Cyber Green ASEAN portal. Singapore has also worked with our international partners to launch a multi-national Internet of Things Cybersecurity Standards Working Group initiative. This is intended to bring together government officials, industry and academic experts to help build secure and resilient Smart cities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. 

5.                 Third, the UN should play a leading role in the development of international cyber norms. We note that discussion on cybersecurity norms has recently coalesced around the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. Singapore welcomes the work of the GGE, reflected in the latest consensus report circulated in July 2015. We are pleased to note that the GGE has started the process of identifying voluntary, non-binding cyber norms and strengthening common understanding. Singapore strongly supports the development of internationally-accepted norms for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. We further advocate the adoption of operational norms of cyber behaviour that will allow the international community to establish a practical, working arrangement for the regulation of behaviour in cyberspace. Singapore welcomes the expansion of the most recently established GGE. However, the GGE has to be more inclusive and representative, and should make greater efforts to engage the views and input of the wider UN membership.

Mr Chairman,

6.                 The international community is making a step in the right direction to enhance the security of the global ICT environment. Let us continue to work together to maintain an open and secure cyberspace for all.

7.                 Thank you.

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