Global Mechanism on ICTs in the Context of International Security, first plenary session – 20-24 July 2026
Australian Statement on International Law
Statement delivered by Ms Lara Sveinsson, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
22 July 2026
Australia is pleased to align with the Pacific Islands Forum statement delivered by Tonga and the cross-regional statement on international law delivered by my colleague, and makes the following remarks in our national capacity.
All States have agreed that existing international law applies to State conduct in cyberspace.
And that, as my colleague from Kiribati powerfully set out, it is indispensable in advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace and maintaining the international peace and security on which all States rely.
In the GGEs and OEWG that preceded this forum and in other valuable platforms, we have discussed, and reached convergences on, how international law applies to cyber activities.
And the OEWG saw States solidify and add granularity to several specific areas of convergence. Some of these, including on the application of the principle of sovereignty, non-intervention, the prohibition on the use of force, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, were reflected in the OEWG’s 2025 final report.
This report provides a strong foundation for our work ahead. However, we regret that it did not reflect other areas in which States had identified common ground, including on the ways in which international human rights law, the law of State responsibility and international humanitarian law apply.
In this respect, the two cross-regional groups of States on international law made significant contributions to advance and document discussions in the OEWG. The number and diversity of States that joined statements delivered by these groups today demonstrates the broad appetite to prioritise international law in this mechanism.
Taking the work of these groups as our baseline and their cross regional character as our example, we must now take up the opportunity this mechanism offers to consolidate common understandings between States to actionable effect.
This can start by leveraging the integrated and inclusive platform of the DTGs – bringing together legal, technical and diplomatic expertise to elaborate in substantive ways exactly how these areas of law apply.
Here, States can have tangible and cross-cutting engagement on how relevant law intersects with norms and practical measures to address the pressing security threats States have outlined in recent days.
Australia’s experience has shown that applying international law to concrete cyber incident scenarios helps build confidence and shared understanding, demonstrate the practical value and comprehensiveness of the existing legal framework, and connect it tangibly to implementation actions.
Incorporating the perspectives of legal and technical experts will enrich and ground the outcomes of these discussions.
Chair, we echo the views expressed by others in this session that capacity-building remains essential to ensuring any outcomes of our discussions reflect the full breadth of experiences in this room.
Australia will continue supporting efforts, including through DTG2, to ensure all States can contribute meaningfully to and benefit from discussions on how international law applies to cyberspace. This includes identifying and championing needs-driven training and supporting more States to develop and share national positions.
Chair, international law's contribution to peace and stability in relation to cyberspace can only be fully realised when States share common understandings of what our international legal obligations require in practice and a robust commitment to implement and adhere to them.
Australia looks forward to working with you and with all delegations toward this important goal. Thank you.