Global Mechanism on ICTs in the Context of International Security, first plenary session – 20-24 July 2026
Australian Statement on Confidence Building Measures
Statement delivered by Ms Nithya Evers, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
23 July 2026
Thank you Chair. Australia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum Members, as well as by the Dominican Republic on behalf of the cross regional Confidence Builders Group and makes these additional remarks in our national capacity.
Confidence building measures, or CBMs, are practical tools for reducing the risk of misinterpretation, escalation and conflict in cyberspace. They help States build relationships, establish procedures and create channels of communication before a crisis occurs, so these channels can be used effectively during and after cyber incidents.
The Global Mechanism should focus on making the agreed CBMs operational in national, regional and global contexts. We should not simply continue describing CBMs in abstract terms. The task before us is to help States use them — through capacity-building, technical assistance, guidance, exercises and sustained engagement. This is particularly important for States and regions with more limited capacity, where trusted relationships, clear communication pathways and practical cooperation can make a significant difference.
The Mechanism should support practical cooperation before, during and after cyber incidents. This includes incident management cooperation, mutual assistance, and stronger channels between national authorities, CERTs and other relevant technical bodies. Regional arrangements, including initiatives such as Australia’s Cyber Rapid Assistance for Pacific Incidents and Disasters (or Cyber RAPID) program have an important role to play in building trust and habits of cooperation before they are needed in a crisis. Discussions in the plenaries and DTGs should help connect these regional experiences, share lessons learned, and support States to develop communication procedures that are practical, reliable and appropriate to their national circumstances.
The global Points of Contact Directory is an important achievement and a valuable confidence-building tool. But the Directory must be used in a way that builds trust rather than straining it. It is voluntary. It is not a replacement for diplomatic channels, regional mechanisms, public communications, State-to-State engagement or other forms of information exchange. States should always remain free to engage through the channels most appropriate to the circumstances.
For the PoC Directory to remain useful, it should be actively maintained, regularly tested and supported by clear expectations of good-faith use. Requests through the Directory should be proportionate, purposeful and (as already mentioned by our regional neighbours) made with due regard to the capacity constraints of smaller States. It should not be treated as a mechanism for overwhelming national points of contact, creating unreasonable expectations of response, or as a substitute for existing procedures where other channels are more appropriate. Used carefully and responsibly, the Directory can help break down barriers and strengthen confidence between States.
The Global Mechanism should also help States operationalise other practical CBMs that reduce risk and build resilience. This includes cooperation on vulnerability disclosure and mitigation, supply chain integrity, and national capacity-building. For many States, the ability to participate meaningfully in CBMs depends on having the right technical, policy and institutional foundations in place. Capacity building is not separate from confidence-building — it enables States to use CBMs effectively, respond to incidents, share information, and engage with partners on a more equal footing.
Australia also underlines the importance of stakeholder engagement. Industry, the technical community, civil society and academia are often closest to vulnerabilities, incidents and emerging risks. Their expertise can help States understand threats, improve prevention and response, strengthen supply chain resilience, and translate CBMs into practical action, while preserving the intergovernmental nature of decision-making.
Chair, Australia wants the Global Mechanism to be a forum where CBMs are implemented, exercised and improved over time. This forum should support the responsible use and maintenance of the PoC Directory, including through regular communication checks, and how the DTGs can help States operationalise CBMs in ways that are practical, voluntary and responsive to capacity needs.
Thank you.