International Information Security

Belarus gives high priority to security issues in cyberspace, including in the context of countering terrorist threats. 

The introduction of information and communication technologies in all spheres of life suggests that the expansion of international “digital” cooperation is required not only in the context of the fight against terrorism, but also in various areas of the international agenda.

In March 2019, the Doctrine of Information Security of Belarus was approved, which promoted information sovereignty, respect for the digital sovereignty of other countries and the pursuit of a peaceful foreign information policy.

A wide range of issues related to potential threats to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, was addressed at the joint high-level conference of Belarus and the UN “Countering terrorism through innovative approaches and the use of new and emerging technologies” held on September 3-4, 2019 in Minsk.

The conference provided a platform for exploring effective ways to counter the misuse of new and emerging technologies by terrorists.

During the conference, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko put forward an initiative to set up a “belt of digital good neighborhood” by concluding international agreements on ensuring information security, similar to the agreements on additional Confidence and Security Building Measures in the military and political field.

The key elements of such agreements could be the ideas of digital sovereignty and neutrality, as well as countries' non-interference in each other's information resources. 

Belarus stands ready to develop cooperation and strengthen ties in the field of international information security with all countries of the world and advocates the development of rules of responsible behavior in the virtual space in order to reduce confrontation and restore confidence.

In 2019 - 2021 representatives of Belarus took part in the meetings of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on Achievements in the field of Informatization and Telecommunications in the context of International Security, established by UN General Assembly resolution 73/27, and in every possible way contributed to the adoption by consensus of the final report of the OEWG. The document confirms the agreements previously reached by the international community on the rules, norms and principles of responsible behavior of states, and also provides the possibility of developing new rules and norms, including legally binding ones.

Belarus supported the initiative of the Russian Federation to establish a new Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for 2021-2025 in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 75/240. The Republic of Belarus takes an active part in the work of the Group.

Belarus became a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution 75/282 “Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, adopted in May 2021 at the initiative of Russia. The resolution determines the procedure for the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the development, under the auspices of the UN, of a universal international convention against the use of ICT for criminal purposes. Belarus takes an active part in the sessions of this negotiating body.