19 February 2021
Australia’s statement on the OEWG Zero Draft - check against delivery
Delivered by Johanna Weaver, Special Adviser to Australia’s Ambassador for
Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology at the OEWG virtual informal meeting
19 February 2021
Australia would like to thank Chairs Lauber and Patriota, and the
Secretariat/Support Team that support both the OEWG and GGE. These
processes were always going to be a marathon; its safe to say that, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, they have turned into an ultra-marathon.
On the question of postponement of the final OEWG meeting, Australia stands
ready to proceed as planned. That said, we note advice from the Ambassador
Lauber that the hybrid format would be limited, as well as advice that many
delegations will not be able to travel. Therefore, if it is the will of this group,
Australia would support postponement. We thank Ambassador Patriota for
confirming he would then explore options to also postpone the GGE.
We request the issue of postponement be resolved quickly. If the final OEWG
meeting is postponed, we should use the time productively; for example, with
specific drafting sessions focused on recommendations and conclusions. If we
do go ahead in March, we need to use the limited time we have left to focus
on the substance of the report, not debating postponement.
Australia read with interest Russia’s alternative draft circulated this week.
Australia could draft its own report (and enjoy the creative writing exercise of
doing so). But this is not Australia’s process, any more than it is Russia’s
process. Our final report must be a product of the views and input of all the
countries. We have entrusted the Chair and Secretariat with the difficult task
of reflecting the productive discussions and outcomes from 18 months of
deliberation among all UN member states. Accordingly, it is the Zero Draft –
produced by Chair and Secretariat - that must form the basis of our
discussions.
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