Each of the 10 OEWG principles embodies a specific purpose, while playing a contributory role within the CCB ecosystem. The factsheets in this section look at the principles primarily from a state perspective, reflecting the state-led nature of the OEWG and its report, and the responsibility of states to foster a collaborative and accountable CCB ecosystem. Where appropriate, however, responsibilities and roles for non-state actors are also considered.
The 10 principles are not legally binding, but their adoption in 2021 represents – and speaks to the need for – an important standardizing function. The analysis presented here found that the principles can complement, align with and support each other. In some cases, there can also be tension between them. It is incumbent upon states and non-state actors to ensure that any tension between principles is dealt with appropriately and in a way that does not jeopardize international peace and security.
Through 10 factsheets, this section explores the principles, both as individual and collective guidance. The factsheets highlight the key terms in each principle, explore what these terms mean, outline how each principle contributes to international peace and security, and then considers how the principle works with other principles. In doing so, these factsheets encourage policymakers and practitioners to understand each principle on its own merit and consider how the principles can work together to contribute to a global CCB ecosystem.
Crucially, the interpretation presented in the factsheets is not the only way to perceive or understand the principles. A practical understanding (and subsequent application) of the principles will occur in a context, so the interpretation of the principles must be context-specific. The interpretation presented in this section is intended as a baseline that should be context-dependent and should evolve as understanding and definitions of key international concepts develop. It is also intended as an international interpretation, rooted in globally recognized definitions that can garner consensus at a broad level.
Methodology
These factsheets are the result of an analytical exercise that sought to understand the component parts of each principle and how they create a cohesive and cross-cutting narrative.
This exercise included analysing each principle across five areas, which informed the design, presentation and content of the factsheets:
- Audience: the CCB principles were created in a forum for UN member states and are primarily designed to guide state behaviour. However, the responsibilities and concepts they engender must be differentiated to suit the ecosystem of (state and non-state) actors involved in CCB. In some cases, the way a state should interpret a principle will differ depending upon whether they are funding an activity (traditionally described as a ‘donor’ country) and/or whether they are a beneficiary of it. In this part of the exercise, the authors sought to understand the principle firstly from the perspective of state actors and then from the perspective of appropriate non-state actors.
- Language and interpretation: several principles combine concepts and terminology from different fields of practice, including programme management, international relations, international security and international development. Through research, analysis and consultations with OEWG stakeholders, the authors identified the key terms or phrases within each principle, analysed them as separate component parts and then formulated a connection between these terms and phrases to understand how they contributed to the principle’s ultimate purpose or role. The interpretation of the key terms and phrases build on existing literature and analysis, and have been interpreted and understood through the lens of internationally recognized definitions. Where appropriate, references are included; however, the interpretation of the terms is largely determined by the authors based on the application of certain international definitions to CCB as a field and the principle itself.
- Drivers: to better understand the role of the principles, this part of the analysis considered what each principle’s direct or immediate purpose within the CCB ecosystem would be. The OEWG categorizes the 10 principles into three groups: process and purpose; partnerships; and people. Across these three groups, the authors identified four overlapping ‘drivers’: efficacy; ethics and values; peace and security; and political motivations or priorities. Principles from each of the OEWG’s three groups embody elements of these drivers: for example, while there are only five principles under ‘process and purpose’, almost all of the 10 principles contribute to ensuring CCB is effective.
- Objective: the ultimate objective of the OEWG is to contribute to international peace and security, which is captured in paragraph 54 of the OEWG’s 2021 report: ‘benefits of capacity-building […] contribute to building a more secure and stable ICT environment’. Importantly, while CCB contributes to this ultimate goal, it can also achieve objectives and impacts beyond this. As outlined in paragraph 54, these ‘benefits’ – or broader objectives – include: to ‘prevent or mitigate the impact of malicious ICT activity’; ‘facilitate genuine participation in discussions on ICTs in the context of international security’; ‘address vulnerabilities in their critical infrastructure’; ‘develop the skills, human resources, policies and institutions that increase resilience and security of States’; ‘promot[e] adherence to international law and the implementation of norms of responsible state behaviour’; ‘support […] the implementation of CBMs’ and ‘ensur[e] an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful ICT environment’. These intermediate objectives are more easily extracted from the principles individually, demonstrating how achieving the OEWG’s ultimate objective is reliant on working towards (through all four pillars of the framework of responsible state behaviour) facilitating or enabling objectives. This part of the analysis sought to match the principles with the intermediate objectives noted in paragraph 54 of the 2021 OEWG report.
- Relationship with other principles: as discussed above, the principles should not be seen in isolation. While they embody an individual purpose or role, they interact with, complement and support each other, and there can be tension between them. For example, CCB is more results focused (Principle 2) if it is evidence-based (Principle 3). In this part of the analysis, the authors sought to better understand how the principles should be viewed as part of a greater whole and how the principles work with each other. Crucially, this part of the analysis does not consider every type of relationship between the principles; instead, the analysis focuses on those relationships and interactions between principles that are most critical in the operationalization of principles.
The results from this exercise were then tested in two workshop consultations held on the margins of the OEWG sessions. The first consultation, held on 24 July 2023 during the fifth session of the current OEWG, sought to better understand how the CCB principles should be interpreted and applied. The consultation brought together 30 participants from various countries and non-state organizations, and used scenario-based discussions to consider how and when principles might apply to a specific CCB situation and how they can help prevent CCB being misused or abused.
The second consultation, held on 6 March 2024 during the seventh session of the current OEWG, sought to test the authors’ analysis of the principles. In a similar format to the first consultation, this second consultation brought together 30 participants from member states and non-state organizations and encouraged them to think critically about what the principles mean.
Finally, these factsheets have been strengthened by peer review and feedback from the project’s Advisory Group.
