A/77/92 Based on a review of the 2013 cybersecurity strategy, the European Union further strengthened its cybersecurity structures and capabilities in a coordinated manner, with the full cooperation of the member States and the different Eu ropean Union structures concerned, while respecting their competencies and responsibilities. In 2017, the joint communication entitled “Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU” 7 set out the scale of the challenge and the range of measures envisioned at the European Union level, to ensure that the European Union is better prepared to face the ever-increasing cybersecurity challenges. Concerns about ever-increasing cybersecurity challenges gave an impetus to the development of a framework for a joint European Union diplomatic response to malicious cyberactivities: the cyberdiplomacy toolbox. 8 The increasing ability and willingness of State and non-State actors to pursue their objectives through malicious cyberactivities should be of global concern. Such activities may constitute wrongful acts under international law and could lead to destabilizing and cascading effects with enhanced risks of conflict. The European Union and its member States are committed to the settlement of international disputes in cyberspace by peaceful means. To this end, the framework for a joint European Union diplomatic response is part of the European Union’s approach to cyberdiplomacy, which contributes to conflict prevention, the mitigation of cybersecurity threats and greater stability in international relations. The framework encourages cooperation, facilitates mitigation of immediate and long-term threats and influences the behaviour of malicious actors in the long term. It also provides due coordination with the European Union’s crisis management mechanisms, including the Blueprint for Coordinated Response to Large-Scale Cybersecurity Incidents and Crises. The European Union and its member States call on the international community to strength en international cooperation in favour of an open, free, global, stable and secure cyberspace where human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law fully apply. They are determined to continue their efforts to prevent, discourage, deter and respond to malicious activities, and they seek to enhance international cooperation to this effect. In December 2020, the European Union further outlined its strategy 9 for a cybersecure digital transformation in a complex threat environment. The European Union’s cybersecurity strategy for the digital decade aims to promote and protect an open, free, global, stable and secure cyberspace grounded in human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. The strategy contains concrete proposals to address resilience, prevent, deter and respond to cyberthreats and advance a global and open cyberspace. Preventing the misuse of technologies, protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the integrity of supply chains also enables the European Union’s adherence to the United Nations norms, rules and principles of responsible State behaviour. The European Union’s international cyberspace policy promotes respect for European Union core values, defines norms for responsible behaviour and advocates the application of existing international law in cyberspace, while assisting countries outside the European Union with cybersecurity capacity-building and promoting international cooperation on cyberissues. The European Union continues to work with international partners to advance and promote an open, free, global, stable and secure __________________ 7 8 9 30/34 See joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council entitled “Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU”. 9916/17, Draft Council Conclusions on a Framework for a Joint European Union Diplomatic Response to Malicious Cyber Activities (“Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox”). See Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the European Union’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade and 7290/21 of 22 March 2021, Council Conclusions on the European Union’s Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade. 22-08761