A/RES/75/32 GA

United Nations A/RES/75/32 General Assembly Distr.: General 16 December 2020 20-16806 (E) 211220 *2016806* Seventy-fifth session Agenda item 98 Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 7 December 2020 [on the report of the First Committee (A/75/394, para. 17)] 75/32. Advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace in the context of international security The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 53/70 of 4 December 1998, 54/49 of 1 December 1999, 55/28 of 20 November 2000, 56/19 of 29 November 2001, 57/53 of 22 November 2002, 58/32 of 8 December 2003, 59/61 of 3 December 2004, 60/45 of 8 December 2005, 61/54 of 6 December 2006, 62/17 of 5 December 2007, 63/37 of 2 December 2008, 64/25 of 2 December 2009, 65/41 of 8 December 2010, 66/24 of 2 December 2011, 67/27 of 3 December 2012, 68/243 of 27 December 2013, 69/28 of 2 December 2014, 70/237 of 23 December 2015, 71/28 of 5 December 2016, 73/27 of 5 December 2018, 73/266 of 22 December 2018 and 74/28 and 74/29 of 12 December 2019, as well as its decision 72/512 of 4 December 2017, Noting that considerable progress has been achieved in developing and applying the latest information technologies and means of telecommunication, Affirming that it sees in this progress the broadest positive opportunities for the further development of civilization, the expansion of opportunities for cooperation for the common good of all States, the enhancement of the creative potential of humankind and additional improvements in the circulation of information in the global community, Noting that the dissemination and use of information technologies and means affect the interests of the entire international community and that optimum effectiveness is enhanced by broad international cooperation, Confirming that information and communications technologies are dual-use technologies and can be used for both legitimate and malicious purposes, A/RES/75/32 Advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace in the context of international security 20-16806 2/3 Stressing that it is in the interest of all States to promote the use of information and communications technologies for peaceful purposes and to prevent conflict arising from the use of information and communications technologies, Expressing concern that these technologies and means can potentially be used for purposes that are inconsistent with the objectives of maintaining international stability and security and may adversely affect the integrity of the infrastructure of States, to the detriment of their security in both civil and military fields, Underscoring the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation among States in combating the criminal misuse of information technologies, Underlining the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the use of information and communications technologies, Welcoming the effective work of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security and the 2010, 1 20132 and 2015 3 reports transmitted by the Secretary-General, Stressing the importance of the assessments and recommendations contained in the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts, Confirming the conclusions of the Group of Governmental Experts, in its 2013 and 2015 reports, that international law, and in particular the Charter of the United Nations, is applicable and essential to maintaining peace and stability and promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful information and communications technology environment, that voluntary and non-binding norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour of States in the use of information and communications technologies can reduce risks to international peace, security and stability, and that, given the unique attributes of such technologies, additional norms can be developed over time, Confirming also the conclusions of the Group of Governmental Experts that voluntary confidence-building measures can promote trust and assurance among States and help to reduce the risk of conflict by increasing predictability and reducing misperception and thereby make an important contribution to addressing the concerns of States over the use of information and communications technologies by States and could be a significant step towards greater international security, Confirming further the conclusions of the Group of Governmental Experts that providing assistance to build capacity in the area of information and communications technology security is also essential for international security, by improving the capacity of States for cooperation and collective action and promoting the use of such technologies for peaceful purposes, Stressing that, while States have a primary responsibility for maintaining a secure and peaceful information and communications technology environment, effective international cooperation would benefit from identifying mechanisms for the participation, as appropriate, of the private sector, academia and civil society organizations, Noting the productive, useful and ongoing discussions within the Open-ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, which is inclusive of all Member States, and __________________ 1 A/65/201. 2 A/68/98. 3 A/70/174. Advancing responsible State behaviour in cyberspace in the context of international security A/RES/75/32 3/3 20-16806 the Group of Governmental Experts, and maintaining that these important processes should conclude before considering next steps, 1. Calls upon Member States: (a) To be guided in their use of information and communications technologies by 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; (b) To support the implementation of cooperative measures, as identified in the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts, to address the threats emerging in this field and ensure an open, interoperable, reliable and secure information and communications technology environment consistent with the need to preserve the free flow of information; 2. Invites all Member States, taking into account the assessments and recommendations contained in the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts, to continue to inform the Secretary-General of their views and assessments on the following questions: (a) Efforts taken at the national level to strengthen information security and promote international cooperation in this field; (b) The content of the concepts mentioned in the reports of the Group of Governmental Experts; 3. Welcomes the productive and ongoing work of the Group of Governmental Experts established by the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 73/266, on the basis of equitable geographical distribution, whose mandate is set out in paragraph 3 of that resolution; 4. Also welcomes the productive and ongoing work of the Open-ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security; 5. Notes the interruptions to the meeting schedules of the Group of Governmental Experts and the Open-ended Working Group on account of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; 6. Decides that the General Assembly will consider the outcomes of the Group of Governmental Experts and the Open-ended Working Group at the conclusion of those processes, as established in resolutions 73/266 and 73/27, respectively, and that the Assembly will decide thereafter on any future work, as needed; 7. Also decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-sixth session the item entitled “Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security”. 37th plenary meeting 7 December 2020

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