Press release on the results of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace in the Context of International Security

On May 28, the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace in the Context of International Security, established at the US initiative in 2018, concluded its work by adopting a final consensus report.

Following intense talks, constructive efforts and flexibility demonstrated by all 25 GGE members, a mutually acceptable document was developed. It is important for us that it takes into account Russia’s principal approaches to ensuring international cybersecurity, including on the most acute topics such as attribution of ICT incidents, international legal regulation of this area, the need for further work on the rules of responsible behaviour of states under the auspices of the UN, and the possibility of developing legally binding norms. The report also recognises the importance of continuing the global discussion on international cybersecurity, in particular, in the format of the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs in the Context of International Security 2021-2025, established pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 75/240, which was adopted at the initiative of Russia.

The adoption of the GGE’s report is another example of the effective work of the global cyber diplomacy. It shows that the international community is able to reach an agreement on key global problems when the expert-level dialogue is carried out pragmatically, constructively and without politicisation. This was the position of the Russian expert, which was noted by a majority of Group members.

We hope that the atmosphere of consensus and the states’ intention to achieve practical results from the global talks on international cyber security will continue at the new OEWG, which held its organising session on June 1, 2021, in New York.