EU promotes global cooperation on cybersecurity at first UN Global Mechanism session
Cyber threats increasingly affect people’s lives worldwide, from attacks on hospitals and critical infrastructure to ransomware targeting businesses and public services. Strengthening international cooperation has therefore become essential to maintaining a cyberspace that is open, free, stable and secure.
From 20 to 24 July, representatives from UN Member States met in New York for the first substantive Plenary session of the UN Global Mechanism on Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace—a landmark step in implementing the international framework for responsible behaviour in the digital world.
The European Union is one of the world's largest providers of cyber capacity-building assistance, with €140 million committed to projects supporting partners around the globe. Through these partnerships, the EU supports countries in strengthening their cyber resilience while promoting the implementation of the international rules-based order in cyberspace.
Throughout the week, it actively contributed to discussions and promoted practical action to strengthen global cyber resilience.
EU priorities regarding responsible state behaviour in cyberspace
During the first Plenary session, the EU called for concrete progress in implementing the UN framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, focusing on four priorities:
1. advancing practical work on issues such as the protection of critical infrastructure, ransomware and the cybersecurity implications of artificial intelligence;
2. supporting the implementation of the UN framework, including the application of international law and the 11 voluntary norms of responsible state behaviour;
3. promoting participation of experts from governments and multi-stakeholders and
4. strengthening cyber resilience worldwide through international partnerships and capacity building.
The EU also presented a non-paper (an unofficial document used for discussion purposes) showcasing concrete examples of how it is implementing the UN norms of responsible state behaviour.
Together with regional partners and civil society, the EU also organised a side event on implementing these norms, with the participation of the Chair of the Global Mechanism, Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador.
Background: what is the UN Global Mechanism on cybersecurity?
The UN Global Mechanism on cybersecurity is the first permanent forum where all UN Member States can work together to strengthen responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. It enables countries to exchange experiences, address emerging cyber threats and develop practical cooperation to reduce risks and strengthen global resilience to cyber threats.
Its establishment in 2025 represents the most significant institutional development in decades in the field of international security in cyberspace.
Building on more than two decades of UN negotiations, it focuses on five key areas:
1. addressing cyber threats;
2. applying international law in cyberspace;
3. implementing the agreed norms of responsible state behaviour;
4. strengthening confidence-building measures and
5. supporting cyber capacity building worldwide.
With the first Plenary session completed, the focus now turns to turning commitments into action. Dedicated thematic working groups will begin meeting later this year, and the European Union will continue supporting their work to strengthen international cooperation and promote an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace.
More about our work on cyber security
The EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox explained
Story: Exposing Russia's malicious cyber ecosystem: the EU adopts its biggest cyber sanctions package