Mr. Chair,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

2. The Group congratulates you and the new members of the Bureau on your election and assure you of the Group's support and commitment to the work of the committee. Also, through you the group expresses appreciation to, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon of Pakistan, and the former members of the Bureau for their dedication, collaboration and the leadership they provided during their term in office.

3. The Group also thanks USG Ms. Melissa Fleming and her team at the Department of Global Communication, for the comprehensive and informative presentation on the department's activities and strategies.

Mr. Chair,

4. The close cooperation and partnership between the Department of Global Communications and the Committee on Information has always been the cornerstone of strategic communications at the United Nations. Therefore, the Group stresses the importance of strengthening this partnership and calls for its continued improvement as the United Nations strategic communications play its vital role as a voice to promote the purposes, image, and importance of the United Nations.

5. The Group has taken note of the three reports of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Department of Global Communication in different areas: Campaigns and Country Operations Services, News Services, and Outreach and Knowledge Services.

6. The Group recognizes the critical and essential role that the Department of Global Communication continues playing in the global arena and in conveying the international messages and information pertaining to the work of the United Nations and its impact around the world on issues related to peace and security, development and human rights. It is also vital in spotlighting efforts to address the distress and turmoil caused by multiple crises such as the continued and emerging conflicts, the threat of climate change, and the lack of progress in implementing the SDGS. Many countries still face serious challenges in water scarcity, food, energy, and supply chain disruption.

7. Moreover, the world continues to face severe stress due to the continued and emerging challenges including the new arms race, rising xenophobia, labelling of racial and religious groups, hate speech, violence, fake news, d misinformation and disinformation.

8. The Group emphasizes the importance of the DGC's crisis communication cell on the situation of Palestine in raising the international community's awareness of the Question of Palestine and in supporting the efforts to achieve a just lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. We, therefore, reiterate our call to DGC to continue its work and to enhance and reinforce its efforts.

Mr. Chair,

9. We gather at a crucial juncture, where the flow of information can shape perceptions, influence actions, and ultimately impact the course of global events. The Committee on Information holds a vital mandate, to promote the dissemination of accurate, factual, impartial, targeted, accessible and timely information about the work of the United Nations to the broadest possible audience, in an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the proliferation of information sources, and the persistent challenges of misinformation and disinformation, our work is more critical than ever. As we embark on our discussions, the following principles should guide us:

10. Upholding Information Integrity by committing to delivering factual, accurate and reliable information, ensuring that the public has access to a clear understanding of the complex issues facing our world.

11. Bridging the information divide to ensure that all people, regardless of their location or circumstances, have access to necessary information.

12. Fostering multilingualism as the cornerstone of our work, recognizing that information must be accessible in the six official languages of the United Nations and more when possible and applicable.

13. Exploring innovative financing options including voluntary contributions to supplement available resources in order to support the work of the DGC and promote multilingualism to maximize its outreach at the grassroots level.

14. Lastly, we look forward to working together through open and inclusive dialogue, in a spirit of cooperation, openness, and determination, to strengthen the role of the Committee on Information and to ensure that the United Nations remains a trusted source of information for all and to resolve peacefully and effectively the evolving and interconnected challenges we face and share.

Mr. Chair,

15. The Group reaffirms our commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including freedom of expression and access to information, as well as the principles of independence, pluralism, and diversity of the media, and urges the Department of Global Communications to further strengthen partnerships with new and traditional media in this regard.

16. The Group also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of journalists and media professionals, including in armed conflicts and wars, and strongly condemns the deliberate targeting and killing of journalists and media professionals, which represents a grave violation of international law and a direct assault on the fundamental principles of freedom of expression and the right to information.

17. In conclusion, allow me, Mr. Chair, to assure you of our full support and our constructive and active engagement during this session. We are confident that under your able stewardship, the Committee on Information will once again reach a successful outcome.

 I thank you.