A/76/135 I. Introduction 1. The present report reflects the outcome of discussions carried out by the Group of Governmental Experts pursuant to General Assembly resolution 73/266 on ‘Advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace in the context of international security’. A key portion of the Group’s work was conducted during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which has highlighted the tremendous potential of digital technologies while accelerating the world’s dependenc y on them, thereby further underscoring the importance of responsible behaviour in the use of ICTs in the context of international security. 2. The report builds upon and reaffirms the assessments and recommendations of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 consensus reports of the United Nations Groups of Governmental Experts (GGEs) on existing and emerging threats, norms, rules and principles of responsible State behaviour, international law, confidence -building and international cooperation and capacity-building, which together represent a cumulative and evolving framework for the responsible behaviour of States in their use of ICTs. The Group welcomes the adoption of the consensus report of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security, established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 73/27 1 , which reaffirms and builds upon this framework. 3. The Group considered the matters under its mandate in light of their relevance to international peace and security. Furthermore, it sought to provide an additional layer of understanding to the assessments and recommendations of previous GGE reports, in order to provide guidance to support their implementation. This additional layer of understanding reaffirms the linkages between the different substantive elements of the Group’s mandate and the importance of engaging other actors, including the private sector, civil society, academia and the technical community, where appropriate, in States’ efforts to implement these recommendations. 4. The Group acknowledges the important role of regional and sub-regional bodies in taking forward the assessments and recommendations of the reports of the GGEs and in developing region-specific mechanisms and strengthening capacity-building efforts to support their implementation. In accordance with the Group’s mandate, these and other relevant insights and experiences were shared with the Group during the informal consultative meetings of the Group with Member States held in New York and through a series of consultations held in collaboration with regional organizations. 2 5. The Group reaffirms that an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment is essential for all and requires effective cooperation among States to reduce risks to international peace and security. It is in the interest of all and vital to the common good to promote the use of ICTs for peaceful purposes. Respect for sovereignty and human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as sustainable and digital development remain central to these efforts. __________________ 1 2 6/26 A/75/816. Reports of the different consultations are available at: https://www.un.org/disarmament/wpcontent/uploads/2019/12/gge-chair-summary-informal-consultative-meeting-5-6-dec-20191.pdf and https://www.un.org/disarmament/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/collated-summaries-regionalgge-consultations-12-3-2019.pdf. 21-04030