MODELS AND METHODS IN MODERN SCIENCE
International scientific-online conference
144
UN LEGAL STRATEGIES FOR REGULATING CYBER RELATIONS IN
GLOBAL DIGITAL GOVERNANCE
Muxammad Subhonov
Inomjon Yarashov
Mehribon Sharipova
University of World Economy and Diplomacy
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16716884
Abstract.
This paper explores the role of the United Nations and its
specialized agencies in developing international legal strategies to regulate the
evolving digital and cyber-information environment. The rise of globalization,
coupled with digital transformation, necessitates a coordinated legal response to
new socio-economic relationships in cyberspace. While countries like the
Russian Federation express interest in joint regulation, political barriers such as
sanctions complicate practical cooperation. The study emphasizes the
contributions of UN bodies like DESA, UNESCO, and WIPO in addressing
cybersecurity, digital heritage, and ICT development. Furthermore, two
competing conceptual approaches to cyberlaw—legal pluralism vs. strict legal
regulation—are analyzed. The paper concludes that only through balanced
global governance and preventive legal mechanisms can cyberspace become a
secure, inclusive digital ecosystem.
Keywords
: Cyberlaw, United Nations, Digital Governance, DESA,
Cybersecurity, UNESCO, WIPO, International Legal Cooperation, Legal Pluralism,
ICT Regulation
Introduction
The intensifying processes of globalization and digitalization have triggered
the need for unified legal regulation of the cyber socio-economic sphere[1].
While individual states, including Russia, are showing willingness to participate
in shaping international cyber law, efforts are hindered by geopolitical tensions
and uneven technological development[2]. Given that cyberspace transcends
national borders and jurisdictional norms, the international community—
particularly the United Nations—has become instrumental in promoting
cooperative regulatory mechanisms[3]. This paper examines the legal initiatives
spearheaded by the UN and its agencies (DESA, UNESCO, WIPO) in fostering
global governance in cyberspace and highlights theoretical tensions in cyber law
frameworks.
Materials and Methods
The research is based on a qualitative analysis of:
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* Official UN Reports and Programs: Documents from DESA, UNESCO, WIPO,
and General Assembly resolutions;
* Normative Legal Documents: Such as the “Declaration of the
Independence of Cyberspace” and UN cybercrime policies;
* Academic Literature: Works by A. V. Minbaleev, J. Barlow, and other
theorists of digital law and cybercrime;
* Comparative Political-Legal Analysis: Evaluating legal strategies of
different UN member states amid geopolitical constraints (e.g., post-2014
sanctions).
Proposed Methodology
To address the fragmentation and ambivalence in global cyber regulation,
the study proposes a multi-agency cooperative methodology, structured around
the following pillars:
1. Institutional Coordination
* Strengthening communication between DESA, UNESCO, WIPO, and the
UN General Assembly for coherent policy alignment.
2. Conceptual Integration
* Bridging the gap between legal pluralism (Barlow’s approach) and
regulatory interventionism (norm-based enforcement).
3. Functional Program Deployment
* Expanding ICT-based UN programs such as “Memory of the World,”
“Information for All,” and digital governance labs (DMG, DPIDG).
4. Digital Rights and Access Equity
* Promoting access to education, information, and freedom of expression
as universal principles under posthumanist legal paradigms.
5. Preventive Legal Infrastructure
* Supporting cybersecurity initiatives that emphasize preemptive digital
threat mitigation across jurisdictions.
Discussion
The contemporary discourse on cyberlaw reflects a tension between two
dominant schools of thought:
* Cyber-Libertarianism: Rooted in J. Barlow's "Declaration of the
Independence of Cyberspace," it argues for minimal legal interference and
embraces legal pluralism.
* Cyber-Legalism: Advocates structured legal control over cyber activities
to counter criminal behavior, identity fraud, and digital extremism.
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Despite the philosophical divergence, both paradigms recognize the unique
complexity of cybercrimes and the challenge of applying conventional law in
virtual space. UN institutions like DESA have responded through research and
programmatic support for ICT governance. Simultaneously, UNESCO’s initiatives
around digital knowledge and WIPO’s role in intellectual property highlight a
growing consensus on the need for unified action. However, challenges such as
international sanctions, sovereignty issues, and digital inequality hinder the
development of universally binding norms.
Conclusion
The regulation of cyberspace and the digital socio-economic domain is no
longer optional—it is imperative. The UN has laid essential groundwork through
agencies like DESA, UNESCO, and WIPO, but geopolitical fragmentation and
theoretical disagreements continue to impede progress. Moving forward, there
is a need for integrated strategies that combine normative legal tools, inclusive
policy-making, and a commitment to digital justice and equity. Legal regulation
of cyberspace must transcend political boundaries to create a globally coherent
and secure information society.
References:
1.Buçaj, E., & Idrizaj, K. (2025). The need for cybercrime regulation on a global
scale by the international law and cyber convention. Multidisciplinary Reviews,
8(1), 2025024-2025024.
2.Gul, S., Malik, W., & Qureshi, G. M. (2025). Cybersecurity And Sovereignty: The
Role Of International Law In Governing State Behaviour In Cyberspace. Policy
Journal of Social Science Review, 3(5), 121-135.
3.Baummar, M. (2025). The Legal Framework for Cybersecurity in Protecting E-
Government Services. Essays of Faculty of Law University of Pécs, Yearbook of
[year], (1).
