STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA AT THE CLOSING OF THE 20TH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

New York 15 May 1998

Mr. Chairman,

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the deliberations and the overall results of the Committee on Information at its twentieth session. The adoption of the two resolutions of the Committee was the result of extensive common endeavors, taking place in a spirit of cooperation, flexibility and accommodation among member states of the Committee. It is evident that given the political will and constructive approach among its members, the Committee could adopt various recommendations pertinent to the task of the Secretary-General on matters relating to information.

Regarding the organizational aspects of the deliberations of the Committee, the Group of 77 and China wishes to stress that the open-ended informal consultations conducted this year under the guidance of the Chairman of this Committee has proven to be very meaningful, particularly in implementing the mandate of the Committee as contained in General Assembly Resolution 34/182 of December 1978. In our view, apart from reflecting the upholding of the principles of transparency in the deliberations of the Committee, the consultations served as a useful mechanism to ensure full participation and contribution by all members in their common endeavors to achieve concrete results. We would like to emphasize that these new practices be maintained in the future deliberations of the Committee.

In paragraph 2 of section II of its resolution 34/182 of 18 December 1979, the Assembly requested the Committee on Information, inter alia: "To promote the establishment of a new, more just and more effective world information and communication order intended to strengthen peace and international understanding and based on the free circulation and wider and better balanced dissemination of information."

The draft resolution entitled "Information in the service of humanity" is, therefore, deemed by the Group of 77 and China to be of particular importance in the ongoing efforts and consistent with the aforementioned mandate of the Committee. Concurrently, the Group has emphasized the need to increase assistance for the development of communication infrastructures and capabilities in developing countries. Also, it has called for the facilitation where appropriate, of access by the developing countries to advanced communication technology.

The draft resolution B concerning "AUnited Nations public information policies and activities", has stressed that the DPI is central to the dissemination of information on the United Nations, its goals and objectives. The adoption by the Committee of such language lays the groundwork for the DPI to fulfill its mandated task. In this regard, it is important for the world at large to be made aware of the priority issues that are being dealt with by the United Nations in an equitable manner, taking into account the particular needs of each of the member States. It is pertinent to note that it contains language concerning matters relating to development, peacekeeping and training for personnel from developing countries as well as countries in transition. The language agreed by member states in the resolution indeed serves as guidance to the DPI on budgetary matters, thus assuring that adequate funds would be made available.

The Group of 77 and China realizes the difficulties encountered in the deliberations in the Committee with regard to issues such as NWICO, integration of UNICS with the UNDP, development of the UN radio and other delicate matters pertaining to the role of the DPI.

Although the results of our deliberations may not be fully satisfactory to all member States, however the Group of 77 and China have noted that it represents a significant improvement of those practices in the deliberations of the Committee.

To conclude, the Group of 77 and China express their willingness to support and participate actively in the future work of the Committee. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to you, Mr. Chairman, for exerting tireless efforts in advancing our common goal of a revitalized Committee. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank our partners, the Western Group and the Eastern Group, for their spirit of cooperation shown during our deliberations. Furthermore, I wish to thank the members of the Bureau for their important contributions, the Under-Secretary General for Communication and Public Information, Mr. Kensaku Hogen and his staff, conference officers and interpreters for all the assistance rendered to Committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.