The Open-Ended Working Group on security of and in the use of ICTs concluded in 2025, generating substantial insights into State approaches to ICT-related security challenges. In response, UNIDIR produced a report analysing the OEWG process (2021–2025), with a focus on major themes, trends, and discussions shaping the global ICT security landscape.
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Analyzing the Open-Ended Working Group on security of and in the use of ICTs
Global governance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the context of international security is at a turning point.
The conclusion of the second Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICT in 2025 and the subsequent launch of the Global Mechanism on ICT security marked the transition from temporary, mandate-bound negotiations to a permanent global mechanism within the United Nations.
The second OEWG produced three annual progress reports and a final report. These outcomes strengthened the Framework for Responsible State Behaviour in the ICT environment and laid the foundation for the Global Mechanism. Beyond official reports, the OEWG discussions generated substantial insights on how UN Member States approached ICT-related security challenges.
About the report
Being released on 21 July at a side event to the Global Mechanism on ICTs, the report produced by UNIDIR’s Security and Technology programme provides a detailed analysis of this OEWG process, highlighting major themes, trends and discussions that shaped the global ICT security landscape from 2021 to 2025.
Unpacking the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on ICT
This report offers eight chapters including:
- A comprehensive analysis of the OEWG process and its evolution.
- Detailed accounts of discussions not captured in official reports.
- Insights across the main pillars of the framework: threats, rules, norms and principles, international law, confidence-building measures, capacity-building and regular institutional dialogue.
