Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,

I have the honour to deliver this Explanation of Position on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

The Group of 77 and China welcomes the constructive efforts that contributed to the adoption of this strategic document, while expressing its regret that the adopted text did not adequately reflect a number of core concerns of developing countries, both in terms of substance and with regard to the procedural approach through which the final phase of the negotiations was conducted.

1. The Group regrets the absence of an explicit mention of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), a well-established principle within the United Nations system that is especially relevant to global digital transformations. The omission of this principle has weakened the development aspect of the Declaration and overlooked the structural disparities in capacities and resources among countries, particularly when WSIS is expected to serve as a framework to support digital equity and bridge technological divides.

2. We also hoped for a more ambitious and action-oriented text on financial mechanisms to close all digital divides and ensure meaningful connectivity for developing countries. While we welcome the establishment of a financial taskforce, we urge its work to be purpose-driven and concrete, including recommendations and best practices on new, innovative, and inclusive financial mechanisms, as well as increased access to these for developing countries at risk of getting left further behind.

3. The Group considers that references to unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) were diluted, as they failed to reflect the real negative impacts of such measures on access to technology, knowledge transfer, and digital capacity-building in developing countries. Reliance on general formulations does not address the actual challenges these measures pose to inclusive digital development efforts.

4. The Group expressed concern over the absence of a clear approach to "misinformation and disinformation," despite the direct threats they pose to social cohesion, public trust, and democratic systems, as well as to the stability of the digital space in many developing countries. The Group is of the view that overlooking this challenge undermines a key element in building a safe and trustworthy information society.

5. We also regret that the language regarding the intergovernmental segment for dialogue among governments has been weakened. Additionally, the specific reporting requests from the group on closing digital divides and on the impacts of automation and AI on labour and employment were not reflected in the final text.

6. We call on all relevant action line facilitators and UNGIS to deliver greater impact and more relevant work in the implementation of the WSIS framework for developing countries, as addressing these issues is crucial to achieving the SDGs and the vision of WSIS of a people-centred and development-oriented information society.

7. The Group of 77 and China stressed that the lack of transparency in the final stages of the negotiation process caused doubts within the Group regarding the procedural approach. The Group believes that transparency and equal sharing of information among all members are essential prerequisites for ensuring collective and balanced ownership of the adopted outcomes.

In light of the above, the Group of 77 and China stresses that its participation in the adoption session does not necessarily mean satisfaction with all elements of the Declaration, but rather reflects its commitment to multilateralism and its determination to maintain the unity of the United Nations process, while clearly recording its substantive and procedural reservations. It hopes these reservations will be duly considered during the follow-up and implementation phases.