Purpose and scope

The purpose of the present code is to identify the rights and responsibilities of States in information space, promote their constructive and responsible behaviours and enhance their cooperation in addressing the common threats and challenges in information space, so as to ensure that information and communications technologies, including networks, are to be solely used to benefit social and economic development and people’s well-being, with the objective of maintaining international stability and security. Adherence to the code is voluntary and open to all States.

Code of conduct

Each State voluntarily subscribing to the code pledges:

(a) To comply with the Charter of the United Nations and universally recognized norms governing international relations that enshrine, inter alia, respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all States, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and respect for the diversity of history, culture and social systems of all countries;

(b) Not to use information and communications technologies, including networks, to carry out hostile activities or acts of aggression, pose threats to international peace and security or proliferate information weapons or related technologies;

(c) To cooperate in combating criminal and terrorist activities that use information and communications technologies, including networks, and in curbing the dissemination of information that incites terrorism, secessionism or extremism or that undermines other countries’ political, economic and social stability, as well as their spiritual and cultural environment;

(d) To endeavour to ensure the supply chain security of information and communications technology products and services, in order to prevent other States from using their resources, critical infrastructures, core technologies and other advantages to undermine the right of the countries that have accepted the code of conduct, to gain independent control of information and communications technologies or to threaten the political, economic and social security of other countries;

(e) To reaffirm all the rights and responsibilities of States to protect, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, their information space and critical information infrastructure from threats, disturbance, attack and sabotage;

(f) To fully respect rights and freedom in information space, including rights and freedom to search for, acquire and disseminate information on the premise of complying with relevant national laws and regulations;

(g) To promote the establishment of a multilateral, transparent and democratic international Internet management system to ensure an equitable distribution of resources, facilitate access for all and ensure a stable and secure functioning of the Internet;

(h) To lead all elements of society, including its information and communication partnerships with the private sector, to understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to information security, in order to facilitate the creation of a culture of information security and the protection of critical information infrastructures;

(i) To assist developing countries in their efforts to enhance capacity building on information security and to close the digital divide;

(j) To bolster bilateral, regional and international cooperation, promote the important role of the United Nations in formulating international norms, peaceful settlements of international disputes and improvements in international cooperation in the field of information security, and enhance coordination among relevant international organizations;

(k) To settle any dispute resulting from the application of the code through peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force.