A/77/92 Australia [Original: English] [31 May 2022] Australia welcomes the opportunity, in response to the invitation in General Assembly resolution 76/19, to provide the Secretary-General with its views on advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. This submission builds upon information provided by Australia in response to prior General Assembly resolu tions, 1 including most recently in May 2021 (see A/76/187). Australia encourages all States to proactively engage in the provision of regular updates to the Secretary -General, so as to increase transparency and build understanding of each other’s efforts to advance responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. Framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace Cumulatively, the 2010, 2013 and 2015 reports of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security 2 affirm that existing international law is applicable and essential to maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace. The reports also articulate 11 voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible State behaviour while recognizing the need for confidence-building measures and coordinated capacitybuilding. Combined, these four tenets are often referred to as the framework for responsible State behaviour in cyberspace. Australia was pleased that the March 2021 report of the Open -ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (A/75/816), which was negotiated and endorsed by all 193 States Members of the United Nations, demonstrated universal commitment to the framework. Australia was further pleased to have a leading expert participate in the sixth Group of Governmental Experts on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace in the Context of International Security, which provided further additional practical guidance on how to implement the framework (see A/76/135), which was subsequently welcomed by the General Assembly in its resolution 76/19. Australia reaffirms its commitment to act in accordance with the cumulative reports of the Group of Governmental Experts and that of the Working Group. Australia remains actively engaged in the open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021 –2025, established under resolution 75/240, and a committed co-sponsor of the proposal of France and Egypt for the establishment of a programme of action. Australia supports the establishment of a programme of action that provides a permanent, inclusive and transparent forum for ongoing discussion and practical action on cyberissues under the auspices of the United Nations. In the interests of transparency, Australia will shortly publish an update on how it implements and observes the 11 voluntary, non-binding norms of responsible State behaviour. While norms do not replace or alter States’ obligations or rights under international law (which are binding), Australia reaffirms the 11 norms as a complement to international law, which provides additional specific guidance on what constitutes responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies. Australia will also make publicly available its initial self-assessment of our implementation of United Nations cybercommitments using the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) national survey via the Institute’s __________________ 1 2 4/34 Resolutions 65/41, 68/243, 70/237, 74/28 and 75/32. A/65/201, A/68/98 and A/70/174, respectively. 22-08761