Comments submitted by Brazil to the Initial “Pre-draft” of the report of the OEWG on
developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of
international security
8 April 2020
INTRODUCTION
Paragraph 6 of the "pre-draft" contains language ("the OEWG is uniquely positioned […]")
that could be interpreted as implying that the OEWG has preponderance vis-à-vis the 2019-2021
Group of Governmental Experts on cybersecurity. In Brazil's view, both processes were approved
by the United Nations General Assembly (resolutions 73/27 and 73/266) and, therefore, enjoy
the same degree of legitimacy.
EXISTING AND POTENTIAL THREATS
It would be advisable to add (possibly in paragraph 15 of the document) a reference to
the fact that, without a culture of restraint, the tendency of militarization of cyberspace will
contribute to making conflicts more likely, both in the cyber and the kinetic domains, to the
detriment of peace and international security.
Also in regard to paragraph 15, the increasing development of automation and autonomy
in information and communication technologies (ICTs) carries the risk that such instruments will
not be subject to human control, thereby jeopardizing the effectiveness of and compliance with
international humanitarian law (IHL).
Brazil attaches fundamental importance to the need for adequate protection against
threats to critical infrastructure, especially electrical, water and sanitation systems (paragraph
19). Electoral processes are also vulnerable to illegitimate interference through the malicious use
of ICTs, and they should also be considered an essential component of the critical infrastructure
of States.
Given the inherent interconnectedness of ICTs, their malicious or offensive use entails a
danger of unintended escalation and systemic effects, thereby causing damage to third parties
not involved in cyber conflict or hostilities.