H. Conclusions and Recommendations 66. The OEWG presented a historic first opportunity for all UN Member States to discuss, under the auspices of the United Nations, matters related to ICTs and international security. The OEWG’s discussions, building on the foundation provided by the consensus reports of the GGEs, were guided by the principles of inclusivity and transparency, with the aim of maintaining and promoting trust, in the fulfilment of its mandate. Its formal and informal sessions were characterized by substantive exchanges among Member States, as well as with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society and academia. The strong engagement by States and other stakeholders throughout the work of the OEWG is an undeniable indication of the increasingly universal relevance of the topics under its consideration as well as the growing recognition of the urgent need to collectively address the threats posed by the malicious use of ICTs. 67. Throughout their deliberations at the OEWG, States underscored the linkages and synergies between each of the elements of its mandate: Voluntary, non-binding norms reinforce and complement existing obligations under international law. Both these elements define expectations of behaviour regarding State uses of ICTs in the context of international security. In this way, they also contribute to confidence-building by increasing transparency and cooperation between States and for reducing the risk of conflict. Capacity-building in turn is an enabler for all States to contribute to increased stability and security globally. Together, these elements constitute a global normative framework of cooperative measures to address existing and potential threats in the sphere of ICTs. Regular institutional dialogue will provide the opportunity for the framework to be further developed and operationalized through advancing common understandings and the exchange of lessons learned and practices in implementation. Regular institutional dialogue can in itself also build more confidence and increase capacity amongst States. 68. In fulfilling the requirements specified by its mandate, the OEWG makes the following recommendations. a) With regard to international law, reaffirming that international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, is applicable and essential to maintaining peace and stability and promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment, the OEWG recommends that:  Member States be invited to continue to inform the Secretary-General of their views and assessments on Developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and to include additional information about national views and practice on how international law applies to State use of ICTs in the context of international security.  Member States be invited to submit, on a voluntary basis, national views and practice on how international law applies to State use ICTs to the Cyber Policy Portal of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.  The Secretary-General be requested to establish a repository of national views and practice on how international law applies to the use of ICTs by States in the context of international security. 13