EU Cyber Direct – EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative was present in New York for the first session of the UN Global Mechanism in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. The Global Mechanism provides a platform for continued engagement among UN Member States to discuss and support the implementation of the framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace.
On the sidelines of the session, EU Cyber Direct co-organised the workshop “Technology, Conflict and Diplomacy” together with the Cyber Policy Group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and EU CyberNet.
Established in 2025, the Global Mechanism presents an opportunity for continuous and sustained engagement among UN Member States to discuss and implement the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, operationalise agreed cyber norms and confidence-building measures (CBMs), uphold international law and strengthen capacity-building initiatives. It is highly relevant for the European Union, which has long supported these efforts and continues to advance cyber diplomacy globally, including through the EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox and its engagement in the UN framework.
While many countries have contributed actively to UN cyber discussions, others are only beginning to engage. In the context of the growing impact of emerging technologies on modern conflicts, there is a need for more robust and coordinated policy responses to address their implications for international peace and security.
The workshop aimed to advance the knowledge and preparedness of diplomats engaging in the Global Mechanism. It provided an overview of progress achieved through previous UN processes, including the GGE and OEWG, shared best practices in implementing cyber norms and capacity-building initiatives, and introduced key concepts related to state obligations under international law.
