A/77/92 cyberspace where international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, is respected and the voluntary non-binding norms, rules and principles of responsible State behaviour are adhered to. To advance peace and security in cyberspace, there is a clear need to implement the United Nations framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace as agreed upon by the previous Group of Governmental Experts and the Open-Ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security and endorsed by the General Assembly. Together with 60 States Members of the United Nations, the European Union proposes to establish a programme of action to advance responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. Building on the existing acquis as unanimously endorsed by the General Assembly, the programme of action offers a permanent, inclusive and action -oriented mechanism at the United Nations to advance the implementation of the consensus reports and to support States in their national cybersecurity policies, in particular through capacity-building programmes tailored to the needs identified by beneficiary States. It also provides an institutional mechanism within the United Nations to improve cooperation with other stakeholders such as the private sector, academia and civil society on their respective responsibilities to maintain an open, free, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment. The programme of action would operate in a complementary and coordinated manner with other relevant processes, such as the open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021–2025. In order to strengthen its ability to anticipate, deter and respond to current and fast-emerging threats and challenges, and safeguard the European Union’s security interest, the European Union formally approved the Strategic Compass 10 on 21 March 2022. The Compass gives the European Union an ambitious plan of action for strengthening its security and defence policy by 2030, including strengthening the European Union cyberdiplomacy toolbox and further developing the European Union cyberdefence policy to be better prepared for and respond to cyberattacks. The European Union and its member States recall the adoption on 23 May 2022 of the Council of the European Union conclusions on developing the Union’s cyberposture. The posture aims to demonstrate the European Union’s determination to provide immediate and long-term responses to threat actors seeking to deny the European Union secure and open access to cyberspace. Content of the concepts mentioned in the report of the Working Group and the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts Existing and emerging threats The European Union and its member States recognize that cyberspace offers significant opportunities for economic growth, as well as sustainable and inclusive development. Nonetheless, the serious ICT threats identified in previous reports by the Group of Governmental Experts and in the report of the Working Group 11 persist and present continuously evolving challenges. The European Union and its member States are concerned by the rise in malicious behaviour in cyberspace, including the misuse of ICTs for malicious purposes, by both State and non-State actors, as well as the increase in cyberenabled theft of intellectual property. Such behaviour undermines and threatens economic __________________ 10 11 22-08761 7371/22, “A Strategic Compass for Security and Defence – For a European Union that protects its citizens, values and interests and contributes to international peace and security”. A/75/816. 31/34