Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Foreign MinisterBui Thanh Son delivered a speech at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’sonline open discussion on maintaining international peace and security oncyberspace hosted by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, UNSC President for June2021.
In his speech, Son said theboom in information and communications technology has been creating strong and deep impacts on every aspect of life globally, contributing to promoting the exchange of human knowledge, increasing mutualunderstanding as well as sustainable development in each nation.
However, more and moreterrorists and trans-national criminals are taking advantage of technology toinfiltrate banking and financial systems, destroy essential infrastructure,incite social disorder, spread extremist ideology and distorted information in the community, causing huge damage to the global economic development,seriously threatening sovereignty, security and development while eroding trustamong nations.
In such circumstances, the Vietnamese FM affirmed that cyber security is crucial for peace, security, development andprosperity on national and global scales. Sovereignty and interest of eachnation on cyberspace must be fully respected.
He suggested the international community establisha global framework with rules and a code of conduct on cyberspacebased on consensus and the wide and full involvement of countries. Every activity oncyberspace should be in accordance with the United Nations Charter andinternational law, especially basic principles such as respecting nations' independence and sovereignty, not interfering into internal affairs, not using force, and settling disputes peacefully.
The minister expressedconcern and objection to the use of harmful ICT technology toattack medical, electricity, water and food facilities. He called on all countriesto actively engage in and contribute to enhancing international cooperation,building trust and ensuring security on cyberspace.
The explosive development of ICT technology is an irreversible trend which will be a launch pad for humans on thejourney towards prosperity. Aware of that, Vietnam has built a national digitaltransformation strategy and is striving to have its digital economy account for30 percent of the gross domestic product by 2030, he said.
He added that in Southeast Asia, Vietnamactively and proactively joined regional cyber security mechanisms, includingthe ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy. The country also formed effectivepartnership with many nations and international partners in the field.
Vietnam is ready to work with partners tobuild a cyberspace of peace, stability and safety for the people andsustainable development, he stated.
Participants highlighted a need to upholdinternational law and the United Nations Charter in maintaining peace, securityand stability on cyberspace, apart from measures to build trust, improvecapacity and coordinate actions among countries./.
