16 April 2020
Australia’s comments on the Initial “Pre-draft” of the report of the UN Open
Ended Working Group in the field of information and telecommunications in
the context of international security (OEWG)
As requested by the Chair in his letter of 16 March 2020, this feedback is general in nature
and does not purport to provide line-by-line commentary on the pre-draft. This feedback is
not exhaustive and the right to provide further comment is reserved. As requested, feedback
focuses on areas of potential agreement in the text, as well as providing suggestions to
strengthen and streamline recommendations. Comments address each element of the
Pre-draft and accompanying Non-paper, concluding with comments applicable to all.
A. Introduction
Welcome the reflection in the Pre-draft that this OEWG builds on the foundation of
the consensus reports and recommendations of the Groups of Governmental Experts on the
use of information communications technologies (ICTs) in the context of international
security (GGE) (paras. 5 and 6). Likewise, welcome the explanation of the complementary
and interdependent nature of each of the subsequent sections (para. 12).
A1.
A2.
Strongly support the recognition in the Pre-draft that development and use of ICTs
have implications for all three pillars of the United Nations’ work (para. 10), while
simultaneously limiting the focus of the OEWG Report (the Report) to only those issues
within the OEWG’s mandate (para. 10). Caution against references to the “unique” nature
of the OEWG (para. 6 et al), given ongoing discussions in other forums (see, e.g.: UNODA
Background Paper on existing UN bodies and processes related to the mandate, available on
the OEWG’s website).
A3.
Welcome the recognition in the Pre-draft that the OEWG benefited from
multi-stakeholder exchanges (para. 7). Likewise welcome references to gender, including
the need to encourage meaningful participation of women in discussions such as the OEWG
(para. 9).
A4.
Recalling interventions by several delegations (including Australia) that ICTs have
had, and continue to have, a positive transformative impact in both the military and civilian
contexts (para. 3). The OEWG Report should reflect that it is not the development or use of
ICTs by militaries that is of concern. Rather, of concern is the use of ICTs in a manner
inconsistent with the maintenance of international peace and security; A/RES/70/237
provides consensus language to this effect.
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