The Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Developments in the Field of ICTs in the Context of International Security adopted its final report, chair's summary, and final procedural report after a week of deliberations, reaching a milestone and concluding a process which started in September 2019.

The report, adopted during the group's third and final substantive session, reaffirmed the results of the previous reports of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE), as well as that international law, and in particular the Charter of the UN, is applicable to cyberspace. Norms do not replace or alter states' obligations or rights under international law -which are binding -but rather provide additional and specific guidance on what constitutes responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs.

The report recommends that states voluntarily identify and consider confidence building measures (CBMs) appropriate to their specific contexts, and cooperate with other states on their implementation. The report also outlines comprehensive capacity building measures in the field of ICT security.

For more coverage on the OEWG's final report, read our analysis.