STATEMENT BY
MR. BURHAN IRWAN CHEONG
NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AGENCY OF MALAYSIA
GLOBAL MECHANISM ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND ADVANCING RESPONSIBLE STATE BEHAVIOUR IN THE USE OF ICTS
2026 SUBSTANTIVE PLENARY SESSION
AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSIONS ON THE FIVE PILLARS OF THE FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE STATE BEHAVIOUR IN THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 9 OF ANNEX C OF A/79/214 AND ANNEX I OF A/80/257
VOLUNTARY, NON-BINDING NORMS OF RESPONSIBLE STATE BEHAVIOUR AND THE WAYS FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION, RECOGNIZING THAT ADDITIONAL NORMS COULD BE DEVELOPED OVER TIME
NEW YORK, 21 JULY 2026
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Thank you, Madam Chair.
The voluntary norms that States have agreed upon over the past decade remain a cornerstone of the UN framework for responsible State behaviour. The framework rests on a foundation of voluntary, non-binding norms carefully developed through years of dialogue under the GGEs and OEWGs. They represent an essential complement to binding international law. They also provide us practical guidance on how to promote stability, reduce risks and strengthen responsible behaviour in cyberspace.
That said, Malaysia believes that our immediate priority should be to strengthen the implementation of these norms. Cyber threat continues to evolve, and emerging technologies are adding new layers of complexity. The real test of these norms will be whether we can put them into practice.
In Malaysia’s view, there are two key actions we can take through the Global Mechanism:
First, DTG 1 offers a valuable platform for States to share experiences and challenges in implementing the 11 voluntary norms through real-world scenarios. We see particular value in focusing on norm (g), which calls on States to protect their critical infrastructure. Given the increasing frequency and sophistication of attacks targeting such critical assets, this would help us identify common challenges, learn from one another and develop practical approaches that actually work.
Second, discussions from DTG 1 should inform targeted and needs-based capacity-building efforts under DTG 2. Capacity building must respond directly to the practical challenges that States have identified. In doing so, we can better support States in translating norms into national policies, institutional arrangements and operational practices, taking into account their respective national circumstances and priorities.
Madam Chair,
At the regional level, ASEAN has developed the ASEAN Norms Implementation Checklist that translates voluntary norms into practical actions and serves as a regional reference for national implementation. This is a concrete example of how international cooperation can also support the practical implementation of norms.
Lastly Madam Chair, Malaysia believes that the real value of the Global Mechanism will be measured by its ability to help States fulfil what they have committed to do, even when those commitments are voluntary.
Thank you.