II. The Descriptive Part: 8- In our view, the narrative introduction and the descriptive part (sections A to G of the pre-draft) represent a factual, balanced, and comprehensive account of the discussions and the inputs by Member States, including an accurate reflection on both the points of convergence and divergence as well as an excellent coverage of all the aspects of the pillars of the OEWG discussions. 9- Therefore, and taking into account that our national positions have been fully expressed in our written submissions and our statements and interventions during the meetings, we prefer to refrain from initiating a lengthy process of proposing edits to this descriptive part of the report which allows for the whole range of views on each topic to be covered in an unbiased manner while not shying away from properly addressing the points of divergence. III. The Recommendations Section: 10- On the conclusions and recommendations contained in section H, while the adoption of a more ambitious set of binding commitments agreed by Member States, at least on the universal implementation of the 11 norms of responsible State behaviour contained in the 2015 GGE report, would have represented the optimum outcome, we believe that the pragmatic and practical recommendations contained in the pre-draft, taken together in their entirety, represent a significant step in the right direction, especially if they are universally implemented by all Member States. 11- The following are preliminary additional recommendations for the consideration of the OEWG (to be included in the placeholders contained in the pre-draft): a. International Law: To complement the steps envisaged in the proposed recommendations (i.e. the exchange of views and information on national policies and practices, the establishment of a repository, and the study by the International Law Commission), Member States should be encouraged to continue to consider the adoption of an agreed common understanding on how international law applies to State use of ICTs in the context of international security and to identify possible gaps that need to be addressed through further rules that take into account the unique attributes of the ICT environment. b. Rules, Norms, and Principles: To complement the steps envisaged in the proposed recommendations: i. Member States should be encouraged to continue to consider as appropriate the possible adoption of a legally and/or politically binding instrument(s) that compiles and streamlines the information presented by Member States on their implementation of international rules and the relevant proposed repository, with a view to regulating specific aspects of State use of ICTs from the international security perspective, taking into consideration that binding and non-binding tracks could be pursued in parallel, and that in the field of disarmament, voluntary measures alone have seldom yielded successful results (as was highlighted in the summary of the intersessional consultative meeting). 2