OR Greece along with more than 50 other countries, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of of Korea, Moldova, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the EU and the United States, expressed in a joint (American-inspired) statement their concerns about the rise of “Ransomware” attacks targeting critical infrastructure and especially healthcare facilities.

These ones cyber attacks they have caused delays in care, interrupted surgeries and other serious disruptions and are considered threats not only to public safety, but also to international peace and security.

The alliance of countries, the joint statement said, “is deeply concerned about the frequency, scale and severity of malicious ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure, particularly hospitals and other healthcare facilities.”

The alliance calls on all member states to work together to strengthen the cyber security of critical services, in line with the United Nations-backed Single Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, which states that international law applies to cyber activities , especially in times of peace.

“The General Assembly has repeatedly unanimously approved the framework of United Nations on the responsible behavior of states in cyberspace, which makes it clear that international law applies in cyberspace”, it is emphasized.

States are urged not to allow their territory to be used by actors using this malware and must take collective action to address the threats of Ransomware by approaching the issue from multiple directions, such as disabling malware, addressing illicit financial flows, strengthening the security of critical infrastructure and providing technical assistance.

The joint statement, which the EU also aligns with, emphasizes the importance of holding states accountable that allow Ransomware hackers to operate with impunity. Through this collaborative approach and with the support of initiatives such as the International Ransomware Countermeasure, the alliance reaffirms its commitment to combating cybercrime and supporting other UN members to develop capabilities to address these growing cyber threats.

“We will continue our work to uphold the international framework for responsible state behavior in cyberspace and comprehensively address the threat of Ransomware by pursuing its actors and combating the illicit funding that supports this malicious activity, securing critical infrastructure and providing technical help” says the announcement.

It is recalled that from 01.01.2025 and for two years, Greece will participate as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Having been voted by 182 member states of the Organization, and with priorities of strengthening maritime security, respect for international law, promoting the peaceful resolution of international disputes, strengthening the protection of children and women in armed conflicts, increasing the role of of women in international events, but also the protection of the climate balance, after twenty years Greece will again be one of the ten non-permanent members of the Security Council (he was last a member in 2005-06 and before that in 1952-53).

It is recalled that the UN Security Council is one of the six basic organs of the UN, and its main mission is to maintain international peace and security. Greece’s active participation underlines its commitment to global peace, security and the promotion of international law.