The fourth session of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) was held in New York on March 6-10 UN Security Council on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and ICTs themselves 2021-2025. Launched on the initiative of Russia, the OEWG is the only open and inclusive negotiating mechanism on the issues of international information security (IIB) under the auspices of the United Nations.
The Russian interdepartmental delegation, despite the visa restrictions imposed by the United States, took part in the event and made a constructive contribution to the work of the Group. Our diplomats presented the concept of the UN Convention on the provision of IIB, a draft register of contact points for the exchange of information on computer incidents, as well as a vision of the future format of the regular dialogue on IIB in the UN. The task is to form an international legal regime for regulating the field of ICT and strengthen practical cooperation between states through competent agencies in this area.
The Russian proposals were received with interest. A number of delegations expressed their readiness to support them and act as co-authors. Developing countries shared their own useful practices aimed at solving the problems of developing interaction and building digital potential. They unequivocally spoke out against the militarization of the information space, the spread of disinformation and unsubstantiated accusations of states committing computer attacks.
The meeting showed that the majority of the UN member states, despite attempts by Western representatives to politicize the discussion, share our pragmatic approach to the issues of ensuring the IIB.
We will continue our active participation in the work of the OEWG, and we are open to interaction with all partners on an equal basis. Our priority – in the development of UN General Assembly Resolution No. 77/36 – is the formation of a global IIB system in the interests of conflict prevention in the information space and the use of ICT for the benefit of the development of states.
Source: Russian Foreign Ministry
