Mr. Chairman,

 

The Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean, meeting at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Havana earlier this year, adopted the Special Declaration on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, where our leaders reaffirmed the individual and collective will to implement the outcomes of the major summits and conferences of the United Nations in the economic, social, environmental and related matters.

 

To the Latin America and the Caribbean region the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), based on the principles and objectives agreed at the first and second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, held in Geneva in December 2003 and in Tunis in November 2005, respectively, are essential enablers for meeting the internationally agreed development goals, particularly the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

 

Information and communications technologies are useful tools for promoting human development, social inclusion and economic growth due to the important contribution that can make to improving the coverage and quality of social services in connection with education, health and safety, and to promoting respect for gender equity, diversity and fundamental rights in the digital environment.

CELAC recognizes that education, knowledge sharing, information and communication are essential for progress and well-being of human beings. ICTs have immense impact on virtually all aspects of our lives. The fast advancement of these technologies opens completely new opportunities to attain higher levels of development. The capacity of ICTs to reduce many traditional obstacles, especially those of time and distance allow, for the first time in history, the use of the potential of these technologies for the benefit of millions of people worldwide.

 

CELAC countries reaffirm their commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society based on human rights, including the right to privacy and on the principles of peace, solidarity, inclusion, freedom, democracy, sustainable development and cooperation.

CELAC reiterates its commitment to involve civil society, the private sector and the scientific and technical communities in an open, participatory, multilateral and multisectoral dialogue in accordance with the principles laid down at the World Summit in the Information Society.

We express our common desire to build an information society that allow us all to create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities, peoples and member states to achieve their full potential in promoting sustainable development and better quality of life, based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the full respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its entirety.

 

It is for this reason that CELAC is concerned about the digital divide and the substantial difference in broadband access between developed and developing countries. This divide is further compounded in the face of increasing challenges ranging from environmental to the ongoing recovery from the financial and economic crisis that affect our countrie´s capacities to mobilize resources for investment in ICT and the diffusion of these technologies.

 

CELAC highlights that despite recent progress, a significant growing digital divide remains among countries in the availability, affordability and use of information and communications technologies and in the access to broadband. The Group highlights also the need to close the digital divide, particularly on issues such as internet affordability, and to ensure that the benefits of new technologies are available to everyone.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

CELAC attaches great importance to the ten-year review of the WSIS outcomes which will take place late next year at the General Assembly.

Information and communications technologies (ICTs) can play a catalyzing role in helping developing countries to achieve the goals of poverty eradication, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

The United Nations system as a whole is called to implement all mandates from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Follow-up of the Geneva and Tunis decisions, unfortunately, has not yet been undertaken with the determination needed to meet these goals.

CELAC considers the inputs from the working group on "enhanced cooperation" in the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) as a critical contribution to the 10-year review of the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society in 2015. Its recommendations, which are to be submitted to the Economic and Social Council by June next year, should also address the need to promote and protect all fundamental Human Rights, including the right to privacy.

CELAC Member States also express their commitment to further progress towards meeting the goals included in the Plan of Action for the Information Society and Knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean (eLAC2015). We express our determination to strengthen regional cooperation on information society, making a joint effort to make visible progress in Latin America and the Caribbean in the general review of the World Summit on the Information Society and to participate actively in the next phases of the negotiations to establish the Post-2015 Develpment Agenda.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

We are deeply concerned about the negative impact that State surveillance and/or interception of communications, including extraterritorially, may have on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights. 

 

In this context, CELAC underscores that the measures to combat terrorism must always be conducted in strict observance of international law, including human rights law, international humanitarian law and the international law of refugees. Only those measures adopted in accordance with the UN Charter and other relevant international norms can be successful and garner broad support from the international community. Actions taken outside the international legal framework are unjustifiable, illegal and unacceptable. CELAC recalls, in this sense, General Assembly Resolution 68/178 on the "Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism", adopted by consensus on 10 December 2013.

 

Among the many relevant issues addressed by said Resolution, CELAC countries would like to highlight the right to privacy, which is essential to human dignity and a fundamental human right, and whose protection is crucial in safeguarding individuals against the abuse of power. 

 

Furthermore, any interference or restriction on the right to privacy should be adequately regulated by law, subject to effective oversight, and to appropriate redress, including through judicial review or other means, to ensure measures are not arbitrary.

CELAC takes note with concern about the information published in international media about the objectives of the so-called Red Zunzuneo, which would constitute an illicit use of the New Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in particular the social media, in detriment to any of CELAC´s Member States.

We emphazise on the important opportunities provided by the ICTs, including the social media, as a vehicle to promote a better understanding among nations and the achievement of development objectives internationally agreed upon.

We also recognize, at the same time, that the illegal use of ICTs has a negative impact on the nations and their citizens.

In that regard, CELAC expresses its strong rejection to the use of ICTs in violation of International Law, and its strong rejection to any action of this nature directed against any CELAC Member State.

We underscore the importance of ensuring that the use of such technologies to be fully compatible with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, International Law, in particular the sovereignty, the non-interference in internal matters and the internationally recognized rules of civil co-existence among States.

 

CELAC Member States reiterate their commitment to intensify international efforts directed to safeguard cyberspace and promote its exclusive use for the achievement of peaceful purposes and as a vehicle to contribute to both economic and social development.

 

We highlight that international cooperation, in full respect to human rights, is the only viable option to foster the positive effects of ICTs, prevent their potential negative effects, promote their peaceful and legitimate use and guarantee that both scientific and technological progress is directed towards preserving peace and promote the welfare and development of our societies.

 

Thank you.