European Union: Adopted Council of the EU Declaration on Common Understanding of International Law in Cyberspace

On 18 November 2024, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted a declaration outlining a common understanding among EU member states on the application of international law in cyberspace. The declaration asserts that existing international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law, applies fully to cyberspace. It reaffirms the EU's commitment to the UN framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, endorsed by the UN General Assembly, as a basis for maintaining international peace, security, and stability in the digital domain. The declaration also addresses malicious activities, such as ransomware attacks, and commits to advancing the Programme of Action at the UN level, aiming to establish a mechanism for implementing responsible state behaviour. Additionally, it includes a commitment to supporting third countries through training and capacity building to enhance global cyber resilience and transparency.