Statement by FSM delegation

New York, July 20, 2027

Madam Chair,

As this is the first time for Micronesia to take the floor, I would like to congratulate you on your leadership and assure you of our support.

Madam Chair,

Micronesia aligns with the statement delivered by the Kingdom of Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Island Forum. Please allow me to deliver my remarks in my national capacity.

Madam Chair,

Micronesia relies on information and communications technologies for development, disaster preparedness, health responses, education, and the preservation of our cultures. Yet these same technologies also enable malicious cyber activity and the rapid spread of disinformation, threatening governance, resilience, and social cohesion. For small island developing states with limited technical capacity, dispersed populations, and acute exposure to climate and humanitarian shocks, these risks are especially pronounced.

Micronesia prioritizes our presence in INTERPOL and our collaborative work with international cybersecurity and law enforcement partners to combat cybercrime by ways of information sharing between governments along with law enforcement cooperation.

A secure, open, stable, and accessible ICT environment is essential to our governance, our development, and the resilience of our societies. At the same time, Micronesia remains deeply concerned about malicious uses of ICTs that can disrupt critical infrastructure, erode trust in public institutions, and disproportionately affect vulnerable States with limited technical capacity.

We therefore support efforts within the United Nations to promote responsible State behavior in cyberspace, including adherence to existing international law, the implementation of agreed norms of responsible behavior, confidence-building measures, and capacity-building that is needs-driven and inclusive. It is vital that all States, regardless of size or level of development, can participate meaningfully in shaping these norms and in benefiting from a secure digital environment.

We reaffirm that international law applies in cyberspace. Respect for sovereignty, the prohibition 2 on the threat or use of force, and human rights obligations must guide State conduct online as they do offline. We support the voluntary, consensus-based framework of norms for responsible State behavior, as this remains fundamental to addressing both existing and potential ICT-related threats to international security. We therefore call for the broad adoption and practical implementation of these norms in the use of ICTs.

Micronesia calls for clear and rights-protecting approaches to disinformation. When States do not define what they mean by “disinformation,” the adverse effects are profound such as these:

– democratic erosion through suppression of dissent and independent media; – journalists, civil society, and citizens fear arbitrary enforcement;

– human rights violations that curtail freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information;

– politicized application against marginalized groups and opponents;

– reduced public trust in institutions and weakened legitimacy;

– impaired cross border crisis response for health, disasters, and early warnings; and

– disproportionate technological harms to remote communities from algorithmic or AI driven moderation.

To prevent these harms, we urge States to adopt precise, time-bound, and rights-based definitions of disinformation; ensure independent oversight, judicial review, and effective remedies; require platform transparency and due process; and invest in media and digital literacy, and rapid response mechanisms tailored to small-island contexts.

Addressing capacity gaps is essential. We call for sustained, partnership- based assistance: technical training, resilient and affordable connectivity, support for locally led media and civil society initiatives, and resources for incident response and attribution cooperation.

Emerging technologies—AI, automation, and others—demand multilateral risk-assessment frameworks that preserve human oversight, accountability, and compliance with international law. Attribution and accountability should be pursued collaboratively, with forensic sharing where appropriate and responses that are proportional and lawful.

 The UN must remain the principal forum for inclusive dialogue. The Global Mechanism can consolidate best practices, coordinate capacity-building for small island needs, and promote shared, rights-respecting norms on disinformation and ICT security.

Micronesia stands ready to work with all partners to protect our societies, uphold rights, and strengthen resilience in the digital age.

I thank you.

Global Mechanism on ICTDownload