INFORMATION CONTRIBUTES TO UN GOAL OF 'PEACE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING', SENEGAL TELLS COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

4 May 1999

Press Release
PI/1132

INFORMATION CONTRIBUTES TO UN GOAL OF 'PEACE THROUGH UNDERSTANDING', SENEGAL TELLS COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

19990504 Says Dynamic United Nations Media Capacity Needed; Information Centre Resources, Language Parity on UN Web Sites Also Discussed

Information brought people together and significantly contributed to the attainment of the goals of the United Nations -- mainly, peace through understanding among peoples -- the representative of Senegal said this morning, as the Committee on Information continued its twenty-first session.

The promotion of a real culture of communication should help people to understand that the plans of the United Nations had a real impact on their lives, the Senegal representative told the Committee. Thus, the Organization must be projected as one that was open and transparent, and the system should, therefore, acquire a dynamic media capacity with a good outreach mechanism. That would allow the Department of Public Information (DPI) to play its central role, he said.

During its two-week session, the Committee will continue its ongoing examination of United Nations public information policies and activities, as well as progress achieved by the United Nations system in the field of information and communications. It will also hold its general debate on substantive questions and prepare and adopt its report to the General Assembly's fifty-fourth session.

The representative of the Republic of Korea told the Committee that the United Nations needed to improve and constantly update the technological and operational components of its public information service. In that regard, his delegation appreciated DPI's innovative audio service, which transmitted the United Nations noon briefing, as well as the United Nations radio news, using the latest communication technology. However, it had been acknowledged that about 90 per cent of the access to the United Nations Web site came from developed countries, and such an imbalance in the utilization of information technology between developing and developed countries must be addressed.

With regard to the pending issue of the parity of the six official languages on United Nations Web sites, his delegation supported the proposal under which the sites would be developed in all official languages as staff and other resources permit, because it established a balance between linguistic

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diversity and realistic resource requirements. While it was important to achieve equal treatment of all official languages, there was a need to take the limited funds and the realistic use of resources into account.

Also this morning, Vice-Chairman Holger Martinsen (Argentina) announced that the African Group of States had not yet decided on a candidate for Chairman.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 5 May, to continue its general debate.

Committee Work Programme

The Committee on Information met this morning to continue its twenty- first session, which began yesterday afternoon. It was expected to elect its Chairman and resume its general debate and consideration of substantive questions. It had before it the reports of the Secretary-General (documents A/AC.198/1999/2-8). (For further background, see Press Releases PI/1131 of 3 May and PI/1127 of 30 April).

Statements

The Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Information, HOLGER MARTINSEN (Argentina), informed members that the delegation of the Holy See had requested to participate in the general debate as an observer.

IBRA DEGUENE KA (Senegal) said that information had become a basic factor in bringing people together and significantly contributed to the attainment of the goals of the United Nations -- mainly, peace through understanding among peoples. The promotion of a real culture of communication should help people understand that the plans of the United Nations had a real impact on their lives. Thus, the Organization must be projected as one that was open and transparent, and the system should, therefore, acquire a dynamic media capacity with a good outreach mechanism. That would allow the Department of Public Information (DPI) to play its central role.

He said his country supported increased resources for United Nations information centres throughout the world, particularly those in Africa, since they played a major role in spreading news about the noble role of the Organization. He stressed the important role of United Nations television and radio in Africa, especially since they worked hand in hand with African radio and television staff. He was convinced that the establishment of a new world information order remained more relevant than ever, "if we are to bring about a more just and equitable sharing of information".

He said Senegal was strengthening press freedom and liberalizing communication. It had set up one of the most efficient telecommunication corporations in Africa, which had led to rush of investors. The establishment of such a system also enabled his country to be one of the best equipped in

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Africa for use of the information superhighway. He congratulated the Under- Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kensaku Hogen, on his commendable efforts -- despite limited resources -- to improve coverage of United Nations activities and live up to the expectations of Member States.

SUH DAE-WON (Republic of Korea) said the United Nations would need to improve and constantly update the technological and operational components of its public information service. In that regard, his delegation appreciated DPI's innovative audio service, which transmitted the United Nations noon briefing, as well as the United Nations radio news, using the latest communications technology. To maintain that momentum and successfully meet the demands of public information in the twenty-first century, the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), advanced by the Under-Secretary-General for Management, should be successfully completed by August 2000, as scheduled.

He said one area of crucial importance was the development, maintenance and enrichment of United Nations Web sites. On that topic, his delegation would like to thank DPI for successfully developing and operating the United Nations news section and home page. That type of information activity was beneficial to all United Nations-related organizations, and its information materials, such as highlights of the noon briefing and the press briefing schedule, were highly useful. The work at the United Nations could run smoother and more efficiently, thanks to the improved access to information.

Recently, however, the Secretary-General acknowledged that about 90 per cent of the access to the United Nations Web site came from developed countries, he added. Future efforts of the United Nations public information service should be directed to redress the imbalances in the utilization of information technology between developing and developed countries. In regard to the pending issue of the parity of the six official languages on the United Nations Web sites, his delegation supported proposal C, because it established a balance between linguistic diversity and realistic resource requirements. While it was important to achieve equal treatment of all official languages, there was a need to take the limited funds and the realistic use of resources into account. [Under proposal C of the Secretary-General's report on United Nations Web sites (document A/AC.198/1999/6), the Organization's Web site would be developed in all official languages as staff and other resources permit.]

With regard to the integration of the United Nations information centres, he said that, in the process of integration, cost-effective approaches should not hinder the information functions and the autonomy of the centres. For that purpose, the views of the host country and its specific information environment needed to be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. On the need to develop an international radio broadcasting capacity, his delegation supported the idea of utilizing direct satellite broadcasting. However, the active participation of concerned member States was vital in achieving the goals of the project.

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