Republic of Serbia Preliminary comments to the Chair's “Initial pre-draft” of the Report of the United Nations Open Ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG). Serbia appreciates the efforts made by the President of the Open-Ended Working Group, Ambassador Lauber in preparing the initial pre-draft. It could provide the basis for further discussions that would lead to the preparation of the final report to be adopted by consensus and help us find a common interest in regulating the use of the ICT in the context of international security. Serbia believes that the affirmation of the role of the OEWG ICT is particularly important for the purpose of creating institutional dialogue on international information security under the United Nations auspices, with strict respect for the Charter of the United Nations, and highlighting the danger of developing offensive ICT and militarizing the digital space. We expect that the focus of this initiative will continue to be made at the level of the United Nations General Assembly as it is the OEWG ICT essential task rather than at the level of other fora which have a role of their own. UNGA resolution A/RES/73/27 is of paramount importance which defined the mandate of the OEWG; it recommended the norms and principles, efforts to affirm the operationalization of the existing ones, and the development of concrete rules and principles of the behaviour of States in this area. Serbia supports the long-term continuity of work of the OEWG ICT as the United Nations central body regarding this question. We welcome the "multistakeholder" approach which provides for the inclusion of non-State actors and their contribution in this process. Serbia believes that consideration should submitted by other which would help us in the process of preparing the final text of the report, be given to all comments, suggestions and proposals to be Member States in an effort to find a common denominator reach agreement that would benefit us all.

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