STATEMENT BY MS SHARON YEO, DELEGATE TO THE 68th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 55,ON QUESTIONS RELATING TO INFORMATION, FOURTH COMMITTEE, 16 OCTOBER 2013

Mr Chairman,

1                 I offer my delegation’s congratulations to you, Mr Chairman, and members of the Bureau on your election. My delegation associates itself with the ASEAN statement.

Mr Chairman,

2                 The use of information and communications technologies (ICT) has made a phenomenal impact on the lives of billions of people around the world and on the economies. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, there are more than 2 billion internet users worldwide, and more than 1.5 billion consumers are involved in social networking; with an average user spending 28 hours each week writing emails, searching for information and collaborating virtually. Businesses are also leveraging on ICT, with two-thirds of businesses in developed markets using web technologies. The research has also shown that countries that embrace the use of ICT have seen their economies grow significantly.

3                 With ICT as an enabler for social development and economic growth, all persons should have access to it. Referring to technology, Bill Gates said: “Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time.” Unfortunately, a digital divide still remains a reality in many parts of the world today. According to The World Bank, an estimated 60 percent of households around the world still remain unconnected; mainly in the developing world. This is a grave cause for concern.

4                 At the opening of the Thirty-Fifth Session of the Committee on Information on 22 April 2013, Mr Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, shared the aspirations of the Department of Public Information (DPI) as a global organisation to tell their stories in print, on radio and television, and also through social media. To do that, DPI noted the importance of keeping pace with technology and new media in order to meaningfully reach out to people all over the world. We fully support DPI’s proactive use of ICT and outreach strategies.

Mr Chairman,

5                 In this regard, allow me to share Singapore’s digital inclusion efforts to build a connected and inclusive nation. This is of utmost importance in view of our growing digital use, where over 80% of Singaporean households have access to the Internet and Singapore sees a 155.5% mobile penetration rate, as of July 2013.

6                 The Intelligent Nation 2015 Masterplan is Singapore’s 10-year masterplan to realise the vision of Singapore being an Intelligent Nation and Global City powered by Infocomm.  It is jointly developed by the people and private sectors to connect individuals, communities, businesses and the Government. To build a digitally-inclusive society, programmes are designed to empower and benefit the elderly, needy and persons with disabilities. The Silver Infocomm Initiative offers affordable training and customised curriculum for senior citizens; the NEU PC Plus Programme gives financial assistance to students from less-privileged backgrounds to purchase new computers at an affordable price that comes bundled with broadband access, and the Infocomm Accessibility Centre equips the disabled with relevant ICT skills to enhance their integration into society.

7                 Singaporean Ministries and government agencies are also actively involved in the use of information and communications technologies to connect with the citizens. Official websites are equipped with a range of Web 2.0 and social media initiatives, and citizens are engaged in communication and public consultation efforts through the use of digital games and social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, blogs and podcasts. A recent initiative by the Government is the ‘Our Singapore Conversation’. This is a year-long national conversation that invited the views of Singaporeans from all walks of life about their views of and aspirations for Singapore. A total of 47,000 Singaporeans participated actively in over 660 dialogue sessions organised by the Government and community groups. Various online platforms were also set up to facilitate the conversation process, including a website and Facebook page.

Mr Chairman,

8                 The digital age holds great potential to be a social leveller and economic enhancer to people all over the world. The United Nations has a critical role to play in bridging the digital divide between the developed and developing countries. We urge the United Nations to continue the good work and to promote better use of information in the world.  

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