Thank you Mr. Facilitator,

We received the draft resolution this morning. We would like to thank you for the effort you put in this regard, especially for taking into account some of the ideas that were expressed yesterday. The G77 had the opportunity to discuss the text, in a first reading this morning. We would like to share with you some of the overall comments in this regard.

Many of the views, and proposals, expressed by the G77 yesterday were not adequately reflected in the current text of the resolution. Particularly, we would like to highlight the following:

1. The development orientation of the follow up of WSIS:
1. G77 would like to reiterate its position that WSIS was held to address the challenge of the digital divide confronting developing countries, including those with special needs as reflected on the Geneva Plan of Action. This idea needs to be well reflected in the text of the resolution. The starting point in this regard emanates from the agreed GA resolution on the follow up of WSIS. Preambular paragraph 5 addressing the urgent need to overcome the digital divide, and operative paragraph 5 urging the full implementation of the development orientation of the WSIS. This second idea needs to be incorporated in the operative part of our current resolution.
2.  The Nature of the CSTD work in carrying out its additional mandate:
1. The CSTD should undertake its function, as the intergovernmental body mandated with the follow up of WSIS outcomes. In this regard, its composition must be expanded in order to ensure the full and effective participation of developing countries in an issue that is increasingly gaining importance to their development. Also, the duration of its sessions must be adapted to the new additional mandate and reponsibility.
2.  In this regard, we would like to hear, through you Mr. facilitator, a comparative survey with the other ECOSOC functional commissions mandated with the follow up of other conferences and summits of the United Nations. Again, to ensure coherence and cross fertilization of the different parts of the UN system, the same methodology applied elsewhere has to be replicated in CSTD.
3. Related to this, is the question of the nature of work of the CSTD, in terms of its division into policy and review sessions is important to us. A comparison to the work of other functional commissions is instructive in this regard. This point is further reinforced by the decision taken by ECOSOC 2005/308 which proposes similar arrangement for the work program. It is appreciated that the multiyear program is already included in the current draft, and we expect to develop the idea further in upcoming discussions.
4. Finally, on this point, we would like to emphasize that the flow of reporting on the follow up of the Summit, needs to be fully in conformity with agreements in Geneva and Tunis. This needs to be adequately reflected in the draft resolution, particularly as it relates to the work of the UN Group on the Information Society formed within the CEB.  
3. Multistakeholder:
1. We recognize the need to take into account the multistakeholder approach supporting the intergovernmental follow up mechanism. Given that the digital divide confronts developing countries most, every effort must be made to mobilize and ensure meaningful and effective participation of multistakeholders from developing countries. The participation of Small and medium enterprises, industry associations, development actors from developing countries need to be ensured.
4. Secretariat:
1. We would like to commend the inclusion of a mention of an upgraded substantive secretariat support. We particularly thank UNCTAD once more for the role it is playing in supporting the CSTD.
2. We call for the full support of UNCTAD to continue undertaking this useful role and in light of the expanded mandate of the commission.
3. The support of the three lead agencies, the ITU, UNDP, and UNESCO, to the current technical secretariat will be instrumental in this regard.
5. Conclusion:
1. These, Mr. Facilitator, remain the ideas of the G77 on this important issue. We look forward to upcoming drafts reflecting them, just as this current text reflects the ideas that some of the delegations expressed yesterday.
2. As we have received the Draft resolution this morning, we did not have much time; therefore, we have scheduled a meeting for Friday, 14 July 2006 at 10h00. We will be ready to submit a written text which should be incorporated in the upcoming versions of the facilitator’s drafts.
3. We can assure you that the G77 has a constructive approach to the negotiations. We are fully committed to working with our partners in order to reach a successful conclusion to this process.

I thank you Mr. Facilitator.