I have the distinct honour of making the following remarks on behalf of the members of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group would like to begin by expressing its confidence in the proficient manner in which you have led us in this process. We would also like to express gratitude for the due consideration that has been given to the Group's inputs thus far.

Coming to matters before us today, we would like to thank you for the revised programme and especially for making extra provision and time for informal consultations.

Co-facilitators,

The Group of 77 and China is generally pleased with the manner in which you have tried to balance the variety of views gathered since the review started and which are reflected in the zero draft and is in general pleased with the broad balance of the text.

UNGA Resolution 68/302 on the modalities of the overall review recognized that the overall review of the WSIS outcomes will be undertaken on the basis of and with full respect for the Tunis Agenda.

In this connection, the Group is generally pleased with the attempt to broadly anchor the overall review in the vision of the Tunis Agenda.

This overall review should result in an assessment of where we have succeeded and where we have not in the implementation of the WSIS outcomes. The assessment and analysis should be both global and regional, identifying those regions that remain most disadvantaged, and the analysis should be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.

While more specific inputs will be made during the area-specific interactive dialogues, the Group can in the meantime point out that the text could be strengthened in some of the following areas:

Bearing in mind the interconnectedness of processes and outcomes towards effecting development, the Preamble could benefit from acknowledging or referencing the major achievements of the international community this year, that is, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

As we stated during the First Preparatory Meeting on 1 July, 2015, this Review must result in an assessment of the relevance of the provisions of the Tunis Agenda in the framework of the 2030 Agenda. However, we do not find any linkages being established to the Action Lines of the Tunis Agenda with the implementation of Agenda 2030. This is important as it will enable the provisions of the Tunis Agenda to be used for the achievement of "internationally agreed development goals and objectives" in an integrated manner.
While the Tunis Agenda has been reasonably successful in increasing access to the internet in developing countries, it should be noted that there is a lack of participation from developing countries in policy development processes related to the internet. There is therefore a need to enable developing countries to have a say in policies which have a direct impact on their social and economic development. The role of developing countries cannot be limited to receiving support for development. They should have an active role in Internet governance.

Capacity-building remains a primary focus for all countries and people in developing countries, especially in Africa, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing States and middle income countries. The outcome document could call for increased global efforts for cooperation in human resource development and skill creation in order to leverage the full potential of ICTs and facilitate technology transfer.
We also think that there is a further need for a more balanced reflection of the issues of enhanced cooperation and Internet governance. In this regard, we would reiterate the significance and importance of enhanced cooperation in full consistency with the mandate provided in the Tunis Agenda, to enable all governments, on an equal footing, to carry out their roles and responsibilities, in international public policy issues pertaining to the Internet.

In conclusion co-facilitators,

An important outcome of the overall review is a plan for the future; that is, decisions and policies on what still needs to be done and how to do it, particularly in view of the significant changes to ICT challenges since 2005. This aspect could also be strengthened.

These are just some of the issues we will raise in more detail as we engage on the outcome of this review.

Thank you.