Economic and Social Council

2001 Organizational Session

3^rd Meeting (AM)

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL BEGINS CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL

FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES TASK FORCE

The enormous potential of new technologies as a force for accelerating broad-based growth and reducing poverty were highlighted this morning, as the Economic and Social Council met to consider a proposal for the establishment of an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force.

The proposal is contained in a report of the Secretary-General and based on the recommendations of an Advisory Group he convened last April.  The Task Force’s aim will be to spearhead efforts to integrate ICT in development plans, programmes and projects and promote ICT development and ICT applications in all sectors of the economy.

Jose Maria Figueres-Olsen, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on ICT, who chaired the Advisory Group and spoke in a video address from Geneva, urged the ECOSOC to act quickly on the report’s recommendations and establish the Task Force.  The Advisory Group proposed that the Task Force should have a three-year mandate and would not take over, supersede or control other bodies involved in similar projects.  Rather, it would collaborate with them.  It would aim at raising awareness at the highest political level, and be involved in ICT capacity-building and human resource development.

Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, introducing the report, also urged the Council to act expeditiously on its recommendations and to endorse the establishment of the Task Force.  He stressed the pivotal role of ICT in development.  ICT would make it easier to meet basic needs in many areas.  It would play a significant role in the delivery of education and health services, among others.

Martin Belinga-Eboutou (Cameroon), President of the ECOSC, said recent figures revealed that Africa was the most marginalized economy and, therefore, the ICT Task Force should place special attention on bridging the digital divide between that continent and the rest of the world.  He said that no one was asking the Task Force to reinvent the wheel -- it must evaluate initiatives already under way and consider how those could best be used to bring about an “African information society”.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Iran, on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, Indonesia, United States, Russian Federation, Japan, Canada, China, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan.

The Council will meet again at a time to be announced.

Background

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resumed its 2001 organizational session to adopt its agenda and hold a general discussion on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in global efforts at poverty reduction and economic development.

The Council had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force (document E/2001/7), which had been prepared in response to the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of the Council’s substantive session of 2000.  That declaration had called for the creation of such a task force on the basis of consultations with all stakeholders and Member States to be undertaken by the Secretary-General.

According to the report, the Secretary-General, to assist him in carrying out the mandate, designated José María Figueres-Olsen, the former President of Costa Rica, as his Special Representative on ICT.  He also established a Group of High-level Advisers on ICT, chaired by Mr. Figueres-Olsen.  The Group of Advisers was composed of representatives of governments, the private sector, foundations, non-governmental organizations and the academic community.  Several teams, headed by members of the Advisory Group, conducted wide-ranging consultations during October-December 2000 with governments and other relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, in all regions.

The report goes on to say that the outcome of the consultations testifies to the fact that there is wide agreement that ICT can be a potent instrument for accelerating broad-based growth and sustainable development and for reducing poverty.  ICT was creating a new context for development, thereby offering both a unique opportunity and an urgent requirement for an unprecedented new initiative.  However, there is concern that at present the huge potential that the ICT revolution provides for development is not yet adequately reflected in development policies, programmes and projects.

The major conclusion to be drawn from the consultations, the report continues, is that the initiative to establish an ICT Task Force was very timely and enjoyed broad support, particularly in the private sector.  For this endeavour to be sustainable and effective, the support and participation of the private sector are imperative.  A "win-win" situation must be created where boosting development and expanding markets are complementary and mutually reinforcing.  Further, the United Nations, with its moral authority and its universal and representative character, is uniquely positioned to shape a vision for ICT as an enabling factor in the building of a poverty-free world.

The report describes, among others, a strategic framework for the Task Force, its role, overall objectives, methods of operation, funding, membership and extent of mandate.  It concludes by stating that harnessing the potential of the ICT revolution for development for all, for reduction of poverty and for empowerment of those who are currently marginalized was a monumental challenge.  At the same time, it is an extraordinary opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of the vast majority of the people on this planet.  Although ICT did not provide the magic wand in overcoming poverty or development problems, it could make a major contribution in tackling many long-standing challenges.  The establishment of the ICT Task Force can be an important catalyst in this endeavour.  The challenge is not solely to bridge the existing global "digital divide", but to avert the prospect of its rapidly growing wider.

      Statements

MARTIN BELINGA-EBOUTOU (Cameroon), President of the Economic and Social Council, said the role of ICT in global efforts at poverty reduction and economic development had been the subject of exhaustive discussion throughout the Council’s 2000 substantive session.  That subject had also been discussed in various panels in the run-up to the Council’s high-level segment, which yielded a ministerial declaration on the role of ICT in the context of a knowledge-based global economy. 

He went on to say that a key outcome of the Council’s 2000 session had been the recommendation that an ICT Task Force be established in order to coordinate efforts aimed at deploying ICT for development.  It was further felt that the achievement of economic development and the alleviation of poverty in developing countries, least developed countries and countries in transition should be at the core of the Task Force’s mission.

He said that it was important to note that the digital divide was a result of other more traditional divides, such as income and wealth inequities, as well as differences in access to health or education.  All those things should be considered, particularly as they related to the situation in Africa.  Recent figures revealed that Africa was the most marginalized economy and therefore the ICT Task Force should place special attention on bridging the digital divide between that continent and the rest of the world. 

He said that no one was asking the Task Force to reinvent the wheel.  It must evaluate initiatives already under way and consider how those could best be used to bring about an “African information society”.  He added that the report of the Secretary-General would provide an excellent opportunity for the Council and the United Nations as a whole to examine all those issues.

JOSÉ MARÍA FIGUERES-OLSEN, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on ICT, speaking in a video address from Geneva, said ICT offered tremendous opportunities in enhancing the delivery of health and education services, among many others.  ICT also had other far-reaching possibilities.

The ICT Advisory Group was convened by the Secretary-General in April last year, he said.  The Group’s recommendations were embodied in the report of the Secretary-General (document E/2001/7).  The Group proposed the creation of an ICT Task Force with a three-year mandate.  The Task Force would not be an academic exercise, but an extraordinary body that would help to enhance development possibilities in the world today.

The Task Force was not meant to take over, supersede or control other bodies involved in similar projects.  The Advisory Group emphasized collaboration with other ongoing initiatives.  The Task Force would aim at raising awareness at the highest political level, and be involved in capacity-building and human resource development in the field of information and communication technologies.

He said a small secretariat was proposed for the Task Force, seconded from the Organization and civil society bodies.  If the ECOSOC approved the proposal, the Task Force could be launched well before the next General Assembly session.  He urged the Council to act quickly on the Secretary-General’s report.

BAGHER ASADI (Iran), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, welcomed the proposal but had not yet had the opportunity to deliberate on the Secretary-General’s report.  Therefore, the Group reserved its substantive comment.  An expert body of the Group would be studying the report.

NITIN DESAI, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, introduced the Secretary-General’s report (document E/2001/7).  He noted that this was the first time a United Nations body – the ECOSOC – was setting up a body that would discuss and propose programmes on ICT.  He urged the Council to act quickly on the establishment of the Task Force on ICT as proposed by the Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on the subject.  The issue should be dealt with expeditiously.

He drew attention to several topics in the report, such as:  areas of priority and modalities of the Task Force’s activities; creation of a network of small bodies to help the Task Force implement its strategy; and composition of the task.

He observed that there was agreement in principle that the Task Force should be established.  It had been suggested that it should be in existence for three years.  He stressed the pivotal role of ICT in development.  ICT would make it easier to meet basic needs in many areas.  ICT was central in the dissemination of knowledge.  It would play a significant role in the delivery of education and health services, among others.

General Discussion

In a general discussion that followed, ANNA LEKVALL (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the report and urged early action in the establishment of the Task Force.  She hoped the Task Force, when established, would be business-like in its work.  The European Union welcomed the proposed representation of all sectors of society in the Task Force.  She pointed out the importance of securing links between the Task Force and other bodies engaged in similar projects.  The Union would like some emphasis put on certain aspects of the project.  Regulatory issues and freedom of speech questions merited consideration.  The Union had questions about the financing mechanism for the proposed Task Force.

MAKMUR WIDODO (Indonesia) said harnessing the capabilities of new and emerging technologies would offer developing countries unprecedented opportunities for development and eradicating poverty.  It would also present those countries with the ability to accelerate development and bridge the economic and digital divide.  The Task Force was being designed as a vehicle for increasing awareness of the potential of ICT to, among other things, forge new partnerships and coalitions, particularly between the public and private sectors.  It should also prove to be instrumental in steering the work of the United Nations system in the area of ICT and development.  The vision and challenge for the future was to see ICT utilized fully for development, eradicating poverty and empowering the world’s poor and disenfranchised.

BRIAN REDMAN (United States) said the Secretary-General’s report served as a good starting point for discussions on the creation of an ICT Task Force.  He believed the Task Force should be seen as part of an overall international effort aimed at addressing economic and development issues through ICT.  The work of such a Task Force should be based on the promotion of the principles of good governance, rule of law and sound economic policies.  A key role for the Task Force would be to assist national governments in setting ICT standards and frameworks at national levels.  He also believed the Task Force should be supported through voluntary contributions, and also supported the idea of setting up a trust fund.

EVGENI STANISLAVOV (Russian Federation) said the role of ICT in the area of development was important in bridging the digital divide.  All countries must have access to new technologies and the role of the United Nations was critical in implementing initiatives and creating mechanisms to ensure that important objective could be achieved.  The Secretary-General’s report on establishing an ICT Task Force contained practical information in that regard.  He said that generally, mechanisms to coordinate the wide-ranging ICT efforts and initiatives should be improved.  To that end, one of the main objectives of the Task Force should be effective and real support aimed at fostering broad international cooperation.

KOICHIRO SEKI (Japan) said the most important aspect of the Task Force would be to create and maintain synergy with broader international efforts in the field of ICT, as well as the work already being undertaken by the various bodies of the United Nations and regional groups.

KIM GIRTEL (Canada) said it was essential that the Task Force avoid duplication of ICT efforts currently being undertaken in other forums.  It would also be important to create synergies.  Commenting on the report, she noted that it did not give a clear idea of the programme of action for the Task Force.  Her delegation also had some questions on its composition and would particularly like to see the participation of the Bretton Woods institutions in its work.  She also hoped that further discussions would highlight the ways in which the Force would coordinate with other bodies of the United Nations.

JI FUSHENG (China) said his delegation supported the Secretary-General’s report and hoped the establishment of an ICT Task Force would go a long way towards addressing the important issue of new technologies and the ways in which they could enhance development efforts.  He also hoped the Force would report earnestly on the impact of ICT on the developing countries.

AUSTIN PETER ETANOMARE OSIO (Nigeria) welcomed the report and echoed the sentiments of Mr. Desai, noting that ICT created a huge window of opportunity for making a real difference in the lives of a vast majority of the world’s technologically marginalized populations.  The digital divide in Africa was indeed a reality.  There should be broad efforts to create an enabling environment in developing countries.  He hoped that the Task Force would not only consider ways to bridge the digital divide, but also how to prevent that divide from widening.

JOSEPH MUTABOBA (Rwanda) said he saw the establishment of a Task Force as merely a beginning.  It was time for the international community to move beyond just talk.  The next step would be to put the recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report into action.  There must be a general movement to create a “hands on”, knowledge-based environment, particularly in developing countries, so that the general fear of new technologies could be conquered.  Unknowns should be translated into something that people in developing countries could grasp, he added.

MUBARAK HUSSEIN RAHMTALLA (Sudan) said he shared Mr. Desai’s concern for urgent action by the Council on the issue of ICT and the creation of a relevant Task Force.  He wondered if the President could give the Council some guidelines on how it would proceed on the speedy consideration of the issue.

SARBULAND KHAN, Division of ECOSOC Support, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said it was important to note that it was the first occasion that a United Nations body had set up a mechanism to discuss ICT policies and possible implementation of development programmes aimed at promoting the use of new technologies.  In addressing some of the concerns expressed by members, he added that that the information revolution was well under way.  If the developing countries were not able to participate, they would be left behind.  The Council should also recognize that creating an enabling environment that fostered the link between ICT and development could help achieve many of the goals expressed by world leaders at the Millennium Summit.

Turning next to address concerns about the possible composition of the Task Force, he said the World Bank had indeed been involved in discussions of the Council’s ICT initiatives from the very beginning.  The Council had also worked closely with the Bank in consultations on the establishment of the ICT working group.  He assured members that the Bureau had been closely coordinating with other bodies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  The Task Force should be seen as the driving force behind a decentralized networking cooperative to bring all the key players into the process.  That was the only way success could be achieved.

The Council President, Mr. BELINGA-EBOUTOU (Cameroon) said that consultations on the issues discussed today would begin as soon as possible.  The schedule of those meetings would be announced.  Following those consultations, a formal meeting would be held to take a decision on the report.

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