Putin and Mirziyoyev call for greater coordination at the United Nations on Internet governance

19 November 2021

Presidents Vladimir Putin and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Russia and Uzbekistan believe it is necessary to strengthen coordination at international platforms to improve Internet governance, including in terms of providing states with equal rights in this area, a joint statement of the two leaders on cooperation in the field of international information security reads

 

"The President of the Russian Federation and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan recognize the need to strengthen coordination in the UN and other international platforms to improve Internet governance, including ensuring equal rights of states to participate in Internet governance and enhance the role of the International Telecommunication Union," the document said following Friday's talks between the two leaders in Moscow.

 

The leaders of Russia and Uzbekistan consider development of universal norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior of states in the information space under the aegis of the United Nations as a priority direction of international cooperation to ensure national sovereignty in the digital environment and their equal security, as well as to prevent conflicts and to use information technology only for peaceful purposes.


Putin and Mirziyoyev spoke in favor of preserving the negotiation process on international information security at the UN and the rapid development of a universal convention to combat information crime.


In a joint statement, the two heads of state welcomed progress in deepening cooperation in the field of information security between the CIS and SCO countries. The presidents also expressed confidence in the further development of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in this area, which should be facilitated by a bilateral agreement on international information security signed during Mirziyoyev's visit to Moscow.

 

Destructive use of IT more often poses a direct threat to citizens, society and the state.


The leaders noted that they recognize the unprecedented progress in the development and use of IT technologies that form the global information space and their growing influence on all spheres of life.


"The heads of State are concerned about the growing possibility of using modern information and communication technologies for purposes incompatible with the tasks of maintaining international peace, security and stability. The use of these technologies is increasingly posing a direct threat to citizens, society and the state," the document says.

 

The Presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan also called for the prevention and peaceful resolution of interstate conflicts that may arise from destructive and illegal use of information and communication technologies.


The parties called on the world community to prevent the use of IT technologies for acts of aggression, for terrorist and criminal purposes, as well as for interference in the internal affairs of other countries.


"The heads of state call on the world community to take all necessary measures to prevent the use of information and communication technologies for military and political purposes contrary to international law and the implementation of hostile actions and acts of aggression, to prevent the use of these technologies for terrorist and other criminal purposes, as well as to undermine the sovereignty of states and interfere in their internal affairs," the joint statement said.


Taking into account the cross-border nature of information and communication technologies, the leaders are convinced that national measures to ensure information security should be supplemented with consolidated actions on bilateral, regional and global levels, as "a rapid and effective response to challenges and threats in the information sphere requires joint efforts of the international community".

 

A total of 18 documents were signed between Russia and Uzbekistan during Mirziyoyev's visit to Moscow, the press service of the president of Uzbekistan reports.

 

"Following the talks, the Presidents adopted a Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Field of International Information Security. A total of 18 bilateral documents were signed during the visit," the press service said in a statement on its website.

 

It is noted that the Presidents ascertained a high level of bilateral relations between the two countries based on strategic partnership and alliance. It is emphasized that special attention is paid to further expansion of trade, economic and investment cooperation.

 

"At the end of the conversation, which was held in a sincere and friendly atmosphere, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening relations of strategic partnership and alliance between Uzbekistan and Russia," the Mirziyoyev's press service said.


As follows from a report published on Friday on the website of the Kremlin, among the documents signed on the sidelines of the talks between the Presidents of Russia and Uzbekistan were an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in international information security, a comprehensive program of cooperation between the two governments for 2022-2026, the intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on biological security, an agreement on cooperation in education, a cooperation program between the Foreign Ministry of the two countries.


During the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Russia the sides also signed a cooperation agreement between the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Direct Investment Fund of Uzbekistan, a credit agreement between VEB.RF and the Almalyk mining and smelting plant to finance the construction of a copper processing plant in the Uzbek city of Almalyk, and a credit agreement between VEB.RF and the joint stock company Uzbekneftegaz to finance the supply of Russian products, works and services. In addition, the Bank signed a cooperation agreement between VTB Bank and the Ministry of Economic Development and Reduction of poverty of Uzbekistan, a memorandum of cooperation between the Agency for Strategic Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan and a number of Russian organizations, including the Agency for Strategic Initiatives to promote new projects.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation

Based on materials from TASS