STATEMENT BY MS WAN ZHI YI, DELEGATE TO THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 15: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, SECOND COMMITTEE, 7 OCTOBER 2022

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Singapore aligns itself with the statements by the Group of 77 and China; and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). We also thank the Secretary-General for his report on this agenda item.

Madam Chair,

2 As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of digital transformation worldwide. At the same time, it has amplified the digital divide, exacerbating what has been aptly described as the “new face of inequality”. It is disconcerting that 2.9 billion people around the world remain digitally disconnected, hindering their access to education, healthcare, and many other essential services. More importantly, without digitalisation as a key enabler, we will not be able to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its fundamental goal of leaving no one behind. We need concerted international cooperation to maximise the benefits of digitalisation, while addressing its risks and challenges.

3 Let me highlight a few key areas where we need a collective, multilateral approach in managing the global digital commons:

4 First, strengthening digital connectivity and digital infrastructure.  We must accelerate efforts to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet by 2030.  According to a report by the Broadband Commission in 2021, broadband services remain largely unaffordable in 84 developing economies around the world. This is a pressing challenge that we need to address if we are serious about closing the digital divide.

5 Second, building and maintaining secure and resilient systems as online threats become more sophisticated. It is important to acknowledge that digital technology has always been a double-edged sword. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored how digital technologies have enabled the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation at an unprecedented speed and scale. We need a functioning eco-system of rules, norms and principles to keep online spaces safe and to better protect our citizens. Many governments around the world are stepping up efforts in this regard, including in Singapore, where we have launched public consultations on a proposed Code of Practice for Online Safety. This introduces additional community standards to ensure online safety for users in Singapore, especially youth and children.

6 Third, and most importantly, working together with our people and businesses to promote digital inclusion and literacy. COVID-19 has shown that the poorest and the most vulnerable often lack the knowledge, skills and abilities to reap the benefits of digitalisation.  It is therefore crucial that we ensure digital inclusion across the board - from children in lower income households, to senior citizens, to micro-SMEs. In Singapore, we have established an SG Digital Office to ramp up our efforts to equip individuals with the necessary digital tools and skills, to help them avail themselves to the opportunities and challenges of the digital future.

7 On the international front, Singapore supports a global digital architecture that is open, interoperable and secure, and one that benefits all. In this context, Singapore is committed to supporting the Secretary-General’s initiative for a Global Digital Compact.  We believe that fundamentally, the Compact must be about leveraging digital transformation to improve lives and advance the SDGs. We also believe that the Compact can serve as an important rallying point that pulls together different stakeholders, different ideas, and different perspectives, to build mutual understanding and common ground, and shape a better digital future for all.      

Madam Chair,

8 As we push ahead with our digitalisation efforts, no one should be left behind. We must stand ready to respond and equip our peoples to meet the changes in this realm, so that all countries may be able to leverage digital transformation and achieve inclusive and sustainable development for all.

9 Thank you. 

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