A/70/174 Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security Summary Information and communications technologies (ICTs) provide immense opportunities and continue to grow in importance for the international community . However, there are disturbing trends that create risks to international peace and security. Effective cooperation among States is essential to reduce those risks. The 2015 Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security examined existing and potential threats arising from the use of ICTs by States and considered actions to address them, including norms, rules, principles and confidence-building measures. In addition, the Group examined how international law applies to the use of ICTs by States. Building on the work of previous Groups, the present Group made important progress in those areas. The present report significantly expands the discussion of norms . The Group recommended that States cooperate to prevent harmful ICT practices and should not knowingly allow their territory to be used for internationally wrongful acts using ICT. It called for the increased exchange of information and assistance to prosecute terrorist and criminal use of ICTs. In doing so, the Group emphasized that States should guarantee full respect for human rights, including privacy and freedom of expression. One important recommendation was that a State should not conduct or knowingly support ICT activity that intentionally damages or otherwise impairs the use and operation of critical infrastructure. States should also take appropriate measures to protect their critical infrastructure from ICT threats. States should not harm the information systems of the authorized emergency response teams of another State or use those teams to engage in malicious international activity. States should encourage the responsible reporting of ICT vulnerabilities and take reasonable steps to ensure the integrity of the supply chain and prevent the proliferation of malicious ICT tools, techniques or harmful hidden functions. Confidence-building measures increase cooperation and transparency and reduce the risk of conflict. The Group identified a number of voluntary confidence-building measures to increase transparency and suggested that States consider additional ones to strengthen cooperation. The Group called for regular dialogue with broad participation under the auspices of the United Nations and through bilateral, regional and multilateral forums. While States have a primary responsibility to maintain a secure and peaceful ICT environment, international cooperation would benefit from the appropriate participation of the private sector, academia and civil society. Capacity-building is essential for cooperation and confidence -building. The 2013 report of the Group (see A/68/98) called for the international community to assist in improving the security of critical ICT infrastructure, help to develop technical skills and advise on appropriate legislation, strategies and regulation. The present Group reiterated those conclusions and emphasized that all States can learn from each other about threats and effective responses to them. 2/17 15-12404