Distinguished co-facilitators of the Global digital compact, Excellences,

We have the honor of deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group highly appreciates the significant effort that has been made by you Dr. Chola Milambo, Permanent Representative of Zambia and Ms. Anna Karin Enestrom, Permanent Representative of Sweden, and your staff, into the 1st Rev of the Global digital compact.

From the onset we wish to applaud the fact that the co-facilitators had provided a concise revised draft with a significant reduction from more than 70 pages to 13 pages, without much alteration of the substance. We all agree that we need a concise, action-oriented Global digital compact with realist achievable goals, for presentation to Heads of State and Government.

The group also notes that effort has been made to include several key aspects of the G77 to the draft, while avoiding too much duplication. The group will however have to examine the revised draft more closely to ensure that the key objectives of the Group are reflected in the Compact.

Distinguished Co-facilitators,

The G77 and China confirms its commitment to actively engaging in this very important intergovernmental process through focusing on key priorities, calling for and exercising compromise and through flexibility. We look forward to reaching a concise, action-oriented, and ambitious outcome agreed by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations.

Thank you.