The United Nations has adopted two Russian sponsored resolutions backed by India on international information security (IIS) system in what can be described as important steps towards a multipolar world order.India and Russia joined their efforts for achieving democratic, inclusive and transparent United Nations negotiation process on security in the use of information and communications technologies, officials told ET.This month UN General Assembly adopted two important Russian-proposed resolutions on international information security supported by India -- “Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security” and "Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes" -- thus opening a new chapter in the global discussion on international information security.These documents became the world’s first code of conduct in the digital sphere, designed to create the foundation for peaceful interaction and to prevent war, confrontation and any other aggressive action.The first resolution adopted on December 5, aims at protecting the interests of all countries in the sphere of cyber security regardless of their level of technological development include a number of innovations, starting with a provisional list of 13 international rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of states in this sphere.The key aim of the resolution adopted on December 17, is to launch a broad transparent political discussion on combating information crime and to search for and create responses to one of today’s most pressing challenges. The resolution is aimed at promoting a global consensus and working out concrete and practical approaches to countering cyber crime in the absence of effective international legal instruments.The resolution was supported by several countries and co-authored by over 30 countries.Opening a new page in the global discussion on international information security which was launched 20 years ago, the issue of international security was first placed on the UN's agenda in 1998 at Russia's initiative."It is notable that breakthrough decisions aimed at strengthening IIS have been adopted in the anniversary year of 2018. These decisions aim to protect the interests of all countries in the sphere of cyber security regardless of their level of technological development," noted a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.The document includes a number of innovations, starting with a provisional list of 13 international rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of states in this sphere."These are crucial provisions, such as the commitment to use information and communications technology (ICTs) exclusively for peaceful purposes, to respect the sovereignty of states in the information space, to cooperate in the fight against the criminal or terrorist use of ICTs, and to prevent the proliferation of malicious ICT tools and techniques and the use of harmful hidden functions," the statement noted.Russia has also recommended making the United Nations negotiation process on security in the use of information and communications technologies more democratic, inclusive and transparent.With this aim in view, Russia has proposed convening open-ended working group (OEWG) acting on a consensus basis."This means that all UN member states without exception will be able to take part in its activities. We are convinced that the era of "club" arrangements is over and that all countries, regardless of their level of technological development, have a right to take a direct part in talks on IIS at the UN and to influence the decision-making process. Every vote counts and must be taken into consideration. Only in this way can we create the basis for a fair and equal world order in the digital sphere," the press release emphasised.The OEWG will be authorised to consider the entire range of issues related to IIS. It will continue, as a priority, to further develop the rules, norms and principles of responsible behaviour of states in information space, study how international law applies to the use of ICTs by states and build up the digital capability of the developing countries. The OEWG will offer an opportunity to all countries to contribute to discussions and decision-making on these subjects."Moreover, the status of discussions on IIS at the UN has been enhanced. Unlike the previous UN group of governmental experts on IIS, the OEWG will be a fully-fledged body of the UN General Assembly with the right to draft and recommend any documents to member states, including drafts of international treaties," the statement noted.The OEWG will also analyse different options for creating a permanent UN negotiating body on IIS.Russia also noted that this resolution was supported by several countries excluding the Western countries, primarily the United States and the EU."By doing this, the Western countries have set themselves off against the international community. It is indicative that these very states are promoting an atmosphere of mistrust in the media and accusing other countries of cyber attacks. This leads to the conclusion that they have only their own mercenary goals in mind and have no interest in looking for objective and pragmatic solutions to the problem of information security, or in ensuring that talks on this topic are open and transparent for all parties," Russia claimed.