UCMs Hampering Technological Progress of States, Iran Bemoans

The representative of Iran to the UN delivered a speech to the high-level Global Roundtable on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Security Capacity-Building, held in New York on Friday.

“During the OEWG sessions, we have heard repeatedly from many delegations, especially developing ones, that there is an urgent need for capacity building to occur without delay, but rather as promptly as possible,” Hassan Rahimi Majd said.

“Capacity building has been rightfully recognized by the OEWG as a cross-cutting element to all issues under its mandate, serving as a prerequisite for all other pillars of the OEWG work. Therefore, it's crucial to address it with the same urgency. With that said, it's disappointing that despite 25 years of discussions on ICT security under the auspices of the United Nations, there has been no tangible progress in capacity-building,” the Iranian envoy said.

“We voice our concern regarding the delays in implementing capacity-building measures and urge member states to show urgency and commitment to achieving concrete results, rather than adopting a wait-and-see approach. We underline the importance and necessity for the United Nations to play a pivotal role in cybersecurity capacity building. While some measures are happening outside the UN, it's imperative to demonstrate tangible results here within the UN framework. The actions we undertake at the UN complement efforts outside the UN and strengthen the multilateral framework,” he added.

“Building upon the aforementioned points, my delegation reiterates in this high-level meeting the proposal made by developing countries, including my own, throughout the OEWG discussions, concerning setting up a dedicated fund/mechanism within the UN to provide capacity building, technical assistance, and technology transfer to developing countries in a predictable, sustainable, fair, and depoliticized way,” Rahimi Majd stated.

“Effective and credible international cooperation and assistance are unattainable as long as illegal and restrictive unilateral coercive measures persist. These measures must be lifted and cease to be imposed, as their effects undermine states' resilience and impede their ability to respond to and recover from ICT threats. Countries should refrain from arbitrarily suppressing the technological development of other nations. Instead, they should create conditions for international exchanges and cooperation in the field of ICT security,” he noted.

“We note that quite a number of high-level delegations participated in this meeting on capacity building, which is a very strong signal of the importance of this issue and demonstrates our collective commitment to making capacity building happen and delivering on concrete initiatives. This high-level Global Roundtable is a very strategic opportunity to show results and urgency on capacity-building here at the UN, which is foundational for ICT security and requires to start now,” the Iranian representative concluded.