Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Directorate of Political Affairs DP
Division for Security Policy DSP
Office of the Sepcial Envoy for Cyber Foreign and Security Policy
Position Paper on Switzerland’s participation in the 2019-2020 UN Open-ended
Working Group on «Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security» and the 2019-2021 UN
Group of Governmental Experts on «Advancing responsible State behavior in
cyberspace in the context of international security» - January 2020
Purpose
This paper outlines the positions of Switzerland on the two UN-processes related to
cybersecurity and the topics discussed within them.
Summary
Switzerland supports and is committed to both UN processes on cyber in the context of
international security. The two processes should, in line with their individual mandates, work
in parallel to prevent duplication and ensure coherence and mutually reinforcing outcomes.
Switzerland will encourage members of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) and UN
Group of Governmental Experts (UN GGE) to consolidate and build on the progress made in
the 2010, 2013 and 2015 UN GGE reports. Switzerland supports the consensus reached in
these reports that international law applies to the activities of States in cyberspace. Switzerland
believes that the universality of the OEWG provides an opportunity to create wider
understanding of the topic and make progress in implementation, operationalisation, and
universalisation of already agreed upon recommendations. Switzerland also believes that the
continued expert discussions in the framework of the UN GGE can efficiently provide valuable
expert input to discussions at UN level and elaborate concrete guidance on how to
operationalise agreed recommendations. Switzerland cautions against reopening norms,
rules, and principles that have already been agreed upon.
1. General Position
Switzerland welcomes the increased attention paid to cyber issues at the UN.
The cyber domain reaches every facet of our lives and permeates almost every aspect of
our societies. It offers a myriad of new opportunities for our societies and economies, and
can be a driver for positive change and stronger cooperation.
Malicious activities in cyberspace affect every country and can have serious negative
consequences for international peace and security, the protection of human rights, and
the international community’s efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda.
An open, free and secure cyberspace is key to ensuring that we can all take full advantage
of the huge potential that the digital age offers.
Thus, preserving the openness and freedom of cyberspace while protecting it against
looming security threats is one of the main challenges.
States have a common interest and a shared responsibility to ensure that cyberspace is
used in a peaceful way, and that it continues to serve as a multiplier – both for social and
economic development and for the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.