Statement by

Mr. Mahdi Hajimohammadi

First Secretary

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Under Agenda Items 17 “Information and Communications Technologies for Sustainable Development” and 22 “Globalization and interdependence”

Before the Second Committee, UNGA 76

New York, 5 October 2021

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Madam Chair,

At the beginning I would like to associate myself to the statement made by the distinguished representative of the Republic of Guinea on behalf of the group of 77 and China and I wish to add the following remarks in my national capacity.  

Madam Chair,

The themes under this agenda item are of great importance because of the international situation we are in, as the multilateralism is being weakened by unilateral decisions and irresponsible measures taken by some individual countries.

My Delegation would like to reiterate the importance of ICTs acknowledging that they hold tremendous potential for eradication of poverty, adapting to climate change and accelerating progress in education and health, among others. At the same time, ICTs have helped to mitigate the impacts of the COVID pandemic, yet the economic impact has nevertheless been severe and the extent of mitigation unequal.

As it is indicated in the report of the Secretary-General under this agenda item, the world economy is estimated to have shrunk by more than 4 per cent in 2020, exacerbating inequalities and adding to the challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The report adds that those who lack affordable connectivity have been disadvantaged in comparison with those that have such connectivity. While the report reiterates this fact, but unfortunately there is no reference to why such inequality exists in terms of the access to ICTs. We believe that one of the most influential factors in creating such inequality is the unilateral approach taken by some countries and their resort to unilateral coercive measures and illegal sanctions against independent nations including Iran. To solve this issue, the international community should strongly reject such illegal acts and effectively move towards their total elimination.

Madam Chair,

I would like to underscore humanity's growing reliance on information and communications technologies for business continuity, employment, education, healthcare, and other services that are vital for all societies.

Unfortunately, substantial digital divides and data inequalities exist among countries and regions, and between developed and developing countries, and that many developing countries lack affordable access to information and communications technologies.

As such, I would like to emphasize that in order to address the digital divide and enhance access to ICTs, it is crucial that developed countries and relevant stakeholders provide enhanced and coordinated support to developing countries to address the digital divide through technology transfer, technical assistance and capacity-building. Furthermore, to ensure digital equality and close the existing and widening gap among countries, it is also important that the discussions in the ICTs areas are guided by specific principals of international law including state sovereignty, sovereign equality, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, accountability of platforms and transnational corporations, application of ICTs exclusively for peaceful purpose and data protection and security to help close digital disparities across countries. 

Madam Chair,

On the issue of Globalization and interdependence, we believe that it can play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development.  As such, the international community should give greater attention to harnessing its potential, to the full benefit of all peoples. This will not take place without resorting to multilateral efforts to guide the direction of globalization to make it more inclusive, equitable and sustainable. Here, the need for the multilateral trade, economic and financial architecture to incorporate and promote sustainable development and ensure greater coherence and an enabling international environment that facilitates the work of Member States in addressing poverty, inequalities and environmental degradation cannot be over-emphasized. All of the above, will be possible when the international community take effective steps and decisive action to strengthen multilateralism by eliminating unilateralism.

I thank you Madam Chair.