In December 2018, the United National General Assembly (UNGA) established two processes to discuss responsible state behaviour in cyberspace: an inaugural Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) (A/Res/73/27); and, a sixth Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) ((A/Res/73/266). The groups present an important opportunity to generate a meaningful impact on international peace and stability. Australia is a member of both groups. This website will provide updates on Australia's engagement in both processes.

Framework for Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace

Cumulatively the 2010, 2013 and 2015 GGE outcome reports affirm that existing international law — and in particular, the charter of the United Nations in its entirety — is applicable and essential to maintaining peace and stability and promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment. The reports also articulate voluntary non-binding norms of responsible state behaviour, while recognising the need for confidence building measures (CBMs), and coordinated capacity building. Combined, these measures (international law, norms, CBMs and capacity building) are often referred to as a Framework for Responsible State Behaviour (the Framework). Every UN member state has endorsed – by consensus – the reports of the 2010, 2013 and 2015 GGE. These reports provide the foundation for the work of the inaugural OEWG and the sixth GGE.

Australia reaffirms its commitment to act in accordance with the cumulative GGE reports from 2010, 2013 and 2015 (A/65/201; A/68/98; A/70/174). Recalling that in 2015 the UNGA called on all UN Members states 'to be guided in their use of information and communications technologies by the [GGE's] 2015 report' (A/RES/70/237), the links below provide an overview of how Australia observes and implements the four key pillars of the 2015 GGE Report.

• Australia's position on the application of international law to state conduct in cyberspace [PDF 717 KB]
• Overview of Australian implementation of norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace [PDF 747 KB]
• Examples of how Australia advances international cyber stability through Confidence-Building Measures [PDF 647 KB]
• Capacity Building and a summary of Australia's Cyber Cooperation Programme [PDF 532 KB]

Australian contributions to the OEWG and GGE

• Australian Research Paper: UN First Committee: Next Steps for Regular Institutional Dialogue [DOCX 43 KB] | [PDF 333 KB]
• Submission by Australia’s representative to the GGE – Norm Implementation - May 2020 [DOCX 52 KB] | [PDF 780 KB]
• Joint OEWG Proposal –  Protection of Health Infrastructure - May 2020 [DOCX 25KB] [PDF 644 KB]
• Joint OEWG Proposal – Survey of National Implementation – April 2020 [DOCX 42 KB] | [PDF 1 MB]
• Australia’s response to the OEWG Pre-draft Report – April 2020 [DOCX 520 KB] | [PDF 840 KB]
• Australia’s OEWG Non Paper: Case studies on the application of international law in cyberspace [PDF 975 KB]
• Australia's OEWG National Paper – September 2019 [PDF 2.75 MB]
• Australia's OEWG Opening Statement – September 2019 [PDF 338 KB]
• International Security Chapter of the Australia's International Cyber Engagement Strategy