19 February 2021 We welcome the comments of all delegations, including the Russian delegation, on the Zero Draft. We can’t help but notice that many of the Russian comments on the Zero Draft seem to be deliberately divisive (especially when compared to its approach vis-a-viz the alternative draft report put forward by Russia). Russia spoke yesterday about the need to focus on areas of convergence. However, by making suggestions it knows will not receive consensus support, its actions differ from its words. It its intervention yesterday, the Russian delegation noted that the Zero Draft “fails to provide logical bridge from this OEWG to the next”. Others have suggested that, if the OEWG cannot meet in March, we could produce a procedural report and roll over our discussions into the new OEWG. The new OEWG is a fact; Australia acknowledges this (and we would support a noting reference to this effect in this OEWG’s report). However, it is also a fact that General Assembly Res 75/240 established a new OEWG, not an extension of this OEWG. Australia’s good faith engagement in the new 5-year OEWG cannot be taken for granted. Good faith runs two ways. Australia is actively engaging in good faith in this OEWG. Australia will review our position on the new OEWG after the conclusion of this OEWG; one determinative factor will be whether Russia engages in the conclusion of this OEWG in good faith. Regardless of the outcome of this OEWG, Australia is committed to ongoing, inclusive dialogue under UN auspices. As Romania noted yesterday, the POA has been subject to discussion in this OEWG (whereas the establishment of the new OEWG was not). But POA and new OEWG should not be cast in competition with each other. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. To build the bridge between them, will require good faith – not just in words, but also in action. In many ways, this OEWG is an experiment. To the question of ‘will this format work?’ we can answer yes on account of our very productive and inclusive discussions. But the real proof of concept will come in producing a consensus report; the Zero Draft provides a firm basis for this. Page 2 of 3 www.dfat.gov.au/cyberaffairs