NATIONAL STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA) HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE WORLD SUMMIT ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY (WSIS) UN HEADQUARTERS, 15-16 DECEMBER 2015, NEW YORK, USA
15 December 2015
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Mr President,
Continued Relevance of WSIS
In 2003 and in 2005, we met in Geneva and in Tunis, respectively, to develop a vision of an Information Society that is people-centric, inclusive, and development-oriented. This vision is encapsulated in the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and continues to be relevant today.
2 Ten years ago, a mere 16 per cent of the world’s population had access to the Internet. Today, more than 40 per cent of the world is connected online. For many of us, the Internet has become integral to our lives; we use social media to keep in touch, and ICT applications to access the news, entertainment, banking, and public services. However, more needs to be done. According to the International Telecommunication Union, some 4 billion people remain unconnected at the end of 2014. We need to intensify our efforts to connect the unconnected.
Singapore’s Contribution to the Building of an Information Society
3 Singapore is a highly connected society, with 87 per cent of Singapore households having broadband access, and 9 in 10 having access to a smartphone. Singapore is ranked 2nd in the World Economic Forum’s Networked Readiness Index 2014 for leveraging ICTs to promote economic growth and well-being. But there are still those in our society who are not able to keep up with or benefit fully from the ICT advancement. For example, we have a sizeable elderly population who do not access the Internet. There are also families who cannot afford mobile or broadband access, as well as persons with disabilities who face a variety of unique challenges in accessing the Internet. To this end, Singapore has programmes dedicated to helping the vulnerable to stay digitally connected.
4 Our “Silver Infocomm” Initiative encourages older persons to adopt ICT by partnering them with family members or friends who can act as ICT guides. For example, we encourage grandchildren to act as their grandparents’ guides in using social media such as YouTube, and in making online purchases.
5 For families with financial challenges, the “Home Access Programme” provides eligible households with telephony services and high-speed broadband at less than US$5 per month. The package provides Internet fibre connectivity bundled with a basic computer device, such as a tablet.
6 For persons with disabilities, the Singapore Government has partnered with other stakeholders to raise awareness of the benefits of IT and assistive technology to people with disabilities, their caregivers and professionals from the disability sector. Persons with disabilities can borrow such technologies to try before purchasing them.
Mr President,
Singapore’s Smart Nation Journey
7 Launched on 24 November 2014 by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s vision of a Smart Nation is one where “people live meaningful and fulfilled lives, enabled seamlessly by technology, offering exciting opportunities for all”. As we strive to be one of the world's first Smart Nations, we work to ensure that no one is left behind. We invite our local stakeholders to work with us on policies that make Singapore more sustainable, more comfortable, and more liveable for all.
8 The Smart Nation Platform (SNP) is backbone infrastructure built on the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN), Heterogeneous Network (hetnet), a mesh network of sensors, “Big Data” and data analytics. The SNP also enables industry collaboration on cross-sector initiatives in healthcare, transport and security. This platform helps citizens find and use information to make more informed decisions, with positive consequences to their lives.
ASEAN: Developing an Information Society Together
9 Singapore is also working closely through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to further advance the cause of WSIS in our region. Just last month, the ASEAN ICT Ministers gathered in Da Nang, Viet Nam to endorse the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020 (AIM2020). This masterplan will guide ICT cooperation in ASEAN for the next 5 years towards a digitally-enabled economy that is secure, sustainable, and transformative; and to enable an innovative, inclusive and integrated ASEAN Community. The AIM2020 is driven by eight strategic thrusts which are closely linked to WSIS Action lines.
Mr President,
Challenges Ahead
10 Over the last 10 years, the WSIS has been an effective platform for a multi-stakeholder approach bridging the Digital Divide and deploying ICT for development. With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, much work remains to be done in harnessing the benefits of ICT to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
11 While governments have a unique role in Internet Governance, we support the view that Internet Governance must be inclusive and responsive to be fully effective. Governments, industry, civil society and other stakeholders must work together for the benefit of all. On that note, Singapore supports the extension of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as it is an effective platform to discuss a wide range of issues related to the Internet, including Internet Governance.
Conclusion
12 In conclusion, while the benefits of the Information Society are real, the challenges ahead will require extensive cooperation among all stakeholders. Singapore is committed to the extension of WSIS as a process that focuses on development and closing the digital divide. We look forward to working closely and collaboratively with all stakeholders to promote the development of ICT in order to better lives and create more opportunities for all.
13 Thank you, Mr President.
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