Draft Resolution for Committee Consideration and Recommendation Committee A: Security and Transparency in a Digital Environment The General Assembly; Draft Resolution Submitted for revision by the delegations to the Model United Nations College of Charleston, 2013 Convinced that communication, the capacity for early warning, and the dissemination of information throughout the global populace are key features for the sustainability of a choiceworthy digital environment, Having considered 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, Recalling, in this connection, the approaches and principles outlined at the Information Society and Development Conference, held in Midrand, South Africa, in May 1996 and the proposal lead by China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in the creation of an International code of conduct for information security in September 2011, Noting with appreciation General Assembly Resolution 54/49 and GA Resolution 55/28, which call upon Members States to consider the advisability of developing international principles that would enhance the security of global information and telecommunications systems and help to combat information terrorism and criminality, Acknowledging GA Resolution 56/19 which acknowledges the need to preserve the free flow of information while considering possible measures to limit the threats of information security, and GA Resolution 57/239 on the Creation of a global culture of cybersecurity, Reaffirming Article 10 of the UN Convention on Anti-corruption which encourages countries to adopt measures to improve public access to information as a means to fight corruption, Further reaffirming Article 13 of the aforementioned Convention which states that each State Party shall take appropriate measures to promote the active participation of individuals and groups in the prevention of and the fight against corruption by enhancing transparency and promoting the contribution of the public to decision- making processes and ensuring that the public has effective access to information, Emphasizing Article 19 of both the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which provides that every person shall have the right to free expression and to seek and impart information,
Bearing in mind the Freedom of Information Law enacted on July 4, 1966 in the United States of America which provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions, Keeping into consideration the efforts of the Freedom of Information Project of PI, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression who have endorsed principles on freedom of information as both an essential part of freedom of speech and as an important human right on its own, Taking into consideration GA Resolution 58/32 on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, in which, it recognized that scientific and technological developments could have both civilian and military applications, Noting with approval of the GA Resolution 60/45 on the report of the Secretary-General on the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, prepared on the basis of the results of the Group s work, Restating GA Resolution 57/53 concerning the creation of a global culture of cybersecurity and taking stock of national efforts to protect critical information infrastructures, Reaffirming the need to harness the potential of information and communications technologies to promote the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and recognizing that gaps in access to and use of information technologies by States can diminish their economic prosperity, and the effectiveness of cooperation in combating the criminal misuse of information technology and in creating a global culture of cybersecurity, Stressing the need for enhanced efforts to close the digital divide in order to achieve universal access to information and communication technologies and to protect critical information infrastructures by facilitating the transfer of information technology, Recognizing that national efforts should be supported by international information-sharing and collaboration, so as to effectively confront the increasingly transnational nature of such threats and the work of relevant regional and international organizations on enhancing cybersecurity, and reiterating their role in encouraging national efforts and fostering international cooperation, Noting also the 2009 Report of the International Telecommunication Union on securing information and communication networks: best practices for developing a culture of cybersecurity, which focused on a comprehensive national approach to cybersecurity consistent with free speech, the free flow of information, and due process of law, Acknowledging Resolution 66/152 concerning the UNODA report by the Security General which provides a framework for protection from information security threats, and sets international legal principles including those of sovereign equality of States that are applicable to the choiceworthy use of cyberspace,
Fully believing in industry-leading Australia's response to GA Resolution 65/41 on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security, Accepts Georgia s response to the Russian Federation s 2008 heavily distributed denial-of-service attack, by creating the Data Exchange Agency, functioning as a tool to provide professional education concerning cybersecurity, prepare proposals, monitor security and issue digital signature certificates, Supporting Germany s efforts to combat attacks on information technology networks and other databases by non-state actors, through the adoption of a new cybersecurity strategy, and it s perpetual effort to cooperate with other nations to prompt international security, Viewing with appreciation the concern by Greece to maintain national sovereignty rights regarding information security in global information sharing, Emphasizing the Netherland s support of safe and reliable information and communications technologies and the protection of an open, free Internet and respect for human rights, safe and reliable information and communications technologies which are essential for our prosperity and well-being and serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, information and communications technologies which offer opportunities, and the importance of public-private partnerships and individual responsibility on the part of all users of information and communications technologies, Therefore this Committee: 1. Calls upon Member States to promote, at multilateral levels, the consideration of existing and potential threats in the field of information security, as well as possible measures to limit the threats emerging in this field, consistent with the need to preserve the free flow of information; 2. Considers that the purpose of such measures could be served through the examination of relevant international concepts aimed at strengthening the security and transparency of global information and telecommunications systems; 3. Encourages continued and expanded support for public-private partnerships with the developing world in the development of security for telecommunication and information technology; 4. Requires that the United Nations University establish a programme dedicated to the research and development of security systems for telecommunications and information technology funded by technologically developed nations; 5. Emphasizes the need for advancement in countries that are not as technologically advanced in order to assure their national digital security and in turn ensure global digital security;
6. Requests that greater measures be taken to ensure the incorporation of underdeveloped countries into the global information system as a means to strengthen telecommunication and technological systems; a. Further requests the participation of developed nations in providing education methods and tools in order to diminish the digital divide (the gulf between those who have ready access to technology, and those who do not); 7. Calls upon the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to reevaluate and strengthen, as necessary, the relevant international standards for security in telecommunication and information technology; 8. Approves the creation of transparency standards under the UN Development Programme to combat corruption and promote transparency and integrity in government, business and development assistance; a. Trusts that all information must be available to anyone who seeks it except: i. Information received from or sent to third parties, under an expectation of confidentiality; ii. Information whose disclosure is likely to endanger the safety or security of any individual, violates his or her rights, or invades his or her privacy; iii. Commercial information where disclosure would harm financial interests; 9. Encourages member States to endorse and implement the transpa standards in telecommunications systems and software; 10. Declares accordingly the creation of safe and reliable information and communications technologies and the protection of an open, free internet and respect for human rights: a. Requires that all Member States allow free internet and global access to internet servers; i. Further requires the creation of public internet hotspots, public computer hubs and access routes to such spots through national efforts; b. Affirming that funding for global digital access will be the responsibility of all G20 members; c. Invites all countries to aid in the development of mass technologies to ensure global access; 11. Resolves that the security of critical information infrastructures is a responsibility all nations must address systematically and an area in which they must lead nationally, in coordination with relevant stakeholders, who in turn must be aware of relevant risks, preventive measures and effective responses in a manner appropriate to their respective roles; 12. Declares accordingly an International Right for Freedom of Information under the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; a. Proclaims this right, enforceable in the Sub-Committee established by this Resolution, as the ability to obtain access to federal information, except information regarding genuine
national security concerns, without violating any international digital-security agreements; 13. Designates the creation of a Subcommittee under the UN Human Rights Council: a. To promote the effective and comprehensive implementation of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms through cooperation and constructive dialogue and engagement with Governments, relevant stakeholders and other interested actors; b. To study, in a comprehensive manner, trends, developments and challenges in relation to the exercise of the right of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in regards to a digital environment; c. To recommend concrete and effective strategies to better protect human rights defenders, and the individual through the adoption of a universal approach, and to follow up on these recommendations; d. To seek, receive, examine and respond to information on the situation and the rights of anyone, acting individually or in association with others, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including thereby the Right for Freedom of Information; e. To work in close coordination with other relevant United Nations bodies, offices, departments and specialized agencies, both at Headquarters and at the state level; f. To report regularly to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly; 14. Further resolves that the established Subcommittee will seek to protect human rights defenders, members of the press, and any individual who attempts to publish or obtain information under the aforementioned Right; 15. Invites all Member States to continue to inform the Subcommittee of their views and assessments on the following questions: a. General appreciation of the issues of information security; b. Efforts taken at the national level to strengthen information security and promote international cooperation in this field; c. The content of the concepts mentioned in clause no. 2; d. Possible measures that could be taken by the international community to strengthen information security at the global level; 16. Additionally requests the Subcommittee, with the assistance of a group of governmental experts, to be established on the basis of equitable geographical distribution, to continue to study existing and potential threats in the sphere of information security and possible cooperative measures to address them, and to submit a report on the results of this study to the General Assembly;
17. Recommends that States form an advisory council within the established Subcommittee on technology security to promote awareness and the development of systems designed to withstand serious threats, including cyber-terrorism; a. Requests that standards be proposed by such a committee to make securing a stable global economy safe from cyber-terrorism a primary goal; 18. Decides to remain actively seized of the matters in this Resolution.