With all this promise and potential, there is also peril. From the abuse and misuse of social media, hacks, hots, pur data and information is vulnerable. Cybercrimes account for trillions of dollars of losses, with some figures for 2019 indicating around $ 2 Trillion Dollars. An loT device can be hacked in the first 5 minutes it is connected to the internet. In this backdrop, we welcome the convening of this Open-ended Working Group (GEWG),as an inclusive process where all Member States can work collectively to take forward our discussions and share experiences and best practices, to reach common understandings on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and work on developing rules, norms and principles of responsible behavior of States as we seek to ensure an open, secure and safe ICT environment for our socio-economic development in the global landscape. We are fortunate that there has been much work done by the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security (GGE). Our collective work can be facilitated by the complementarity between the OEWG and the GGE. The GGE has produced substantive reports in their work with assessments and recommendations that provide a strong foundation for this Group to build on. While these processes are member state driven, if we are to be truly effective in our work,there is a vital need to also engage other stakeholders such as the private sector, academia,think-tanks, the ICT industry and civil society. This is particularly important to ensure that our discussion and work is current. Developments in the ICT world, often fast outpace our government documents and studies. Resources of ICT companies alone, exceed the GDP of most countries. Greater collaboration between both States and other stakeholders in the private sphere, would also help bridge the digital gap, between many states that do not have the expertise or resources to have robust solutions for digital security. This cross dialogue is also very essential if we are to take serious steps to develop common understanding on issues related to security and use of ICTs, and on the