STATEMENT BY
AMB. GLORIA CORINA PETER TIWET
DELEGATE OF MALAYSIA TO THE 74TH SESSION OF UNGA
ON BEHALF OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
AT THE SECOND COMMITTEE
OF THE 74TH SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ON
AGENDA ITEM 16:
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
NEW YORK, 18 OCTOBER 2019
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the ten Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
2. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the distinguished representative of Palestine, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
Mr. Chairman,
3. We noted the findings in the Secretary-General’s report issued earlier this year on the ‘Progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit (WSIS) on the Information Society at the regional and international levels’.
4. We are pleased that there has been continued progress regarding access, use and application of ICTs. However, the report also pointed out that much more needs to be done before we could achieve internationally agreed goals of connectivity for all and maximize the value of ICTs in sustainable development.
5. In view of this, effective policy development and programme design are required to realize the potential of information technology in enhancing development, inclusion and empowerment.
Mr. Chairman,
6. ICT has been recognised as one of the important means to implement both the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 (ACW 2025) and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For ASEAN, ICT plays an important role as an instrument to connect ASEAN to the mainstream of global development.
7. The ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint highlighted ICT as a catalyst for ASEAN’s economic and social transformation. ASEAN recognises that ICT plays a major role in enhancing connectivity as well as in fostering growth and integration of ASEAN economies.
8. In pursuing this, ASEAN has been undertaking measures to address the existing ICT development gaps in the region and to further improve digital connectivity and accessibility.
9. The first ASEAN ICT Masterplan (2010-2015) (AIM 2015) identified six strategic thrusts as its key objectives, namely, economic transformation, people empowerment and engagement, innovation, infrastructure development, human capital development and bridging the digital divide. Significant progress was made in each of these areas.
10. Realising the need to create an integrated digital economy, ASEAN launched its ICT Masterplan (2016-2020) (AIM 2020) in 2015. AIM 2020 is designed towards a digitally-enabled economy that is secure, sustainable, and transformative.
11. ASEAN continues to believe in the importance of promoting digital connectivity and innovative technologies in maximising the opportunities brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Currently, ASEAN is in the midst of formulating ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. The next masterplan would among others addresses horizontal implications of digital transformation in the region. At the same time, it would contribute towards securing ASEAN as a single integrated market that is able to attract more investment, talent and participation.
12. We are also determined to enhance regional connectivity to bring economies and peoples closer, through our “Connecting the Connectivities” Initiative as well as the full operationalization of the ASEAN Single Window for intra-regional trade facilitation, and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network.
Mr. Chairman,
13. ASEAN recognised the growing sophistication and transboundary nature of cyber threats and underlined the need to address cybersecurity challenges in a holistic manner to ensure an open, secure, stable, accessible, and resilient cyberspace to support the digital economy. In this regard, ASEAN is committed to strengthening the region’s cybersecurity in a holistic manner.
14. In this connection, we recognise the vital importance of cybersecurity coordination across the political-security, economic and social-cultural pillars to ensure that ASEAN drives its cybersecurity agenda synchronically regardless discipline or area, as it brings vast benefit to the region.
Mr. Chairman,
15. We are on the cusp of a historic transition and ICT stands to play a transformative role in fostering an integrated and inclusive digitally-enabled community. We believe that a new era for ASEAN requires the successful implementation of a new ICT vision in meeting the growing aspirations of ASEAN citizens.
16. ASEAN stands committed to ensuring that the challenges in the digital transformation of our region are addressed in an effective, responsible and cohesive manner. Achieving these objectives will result in a digitally-enabled, inclusive and secure ASEAN, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
I thank you.
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