Madam Chair,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China under agenda item 135, on the status of implementation of the information and communications technology strategy for the United Nations.

2. The Group wishes to thank the Assistant Secretary-General, Chief Information Technology Officer, Mr. Bernardo Mariano Junior, for the introduction of the report of the Secretary-General, as well as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, Ms. Juliana Gaspar Ruas, for presenting the related report.

3. The Group reiterates its long-standing view that the ICT strategy must serve as a strategic enabler of administrative reform and mandate delivery, strengthening transparency, accountability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness across the Secretariat. We take note of the progress presented across the five strategic technology areas, including advances in enterprise infrastructure, data governance, innovation initiatives and system-wide collaboration. At the same time, we share the concern of the Advisory Committee that the report does not yet fully demonstrate implementation against previously endorsed results frameworks and performance indicators, which remains essential to enable year-on-year assessment of progress and comparability.

4. The Group also notes that some requests of the General Assembly contained in resolutions 78/243 and 79/258 B remain only partially addressed, including those related to resource estimates, outreach components and clearer articulation of implementation outcomes. While acknowledging the inclusion of a multi-year implementation plan, we consider that further clarity is needed to establish a direct correlation between projects, timelines and the strategic goals and indicators of the ICT strategy, as highlighted by the Advisory Committee.

5. The Group notes progress in strengthening ICT governance arrangements, including the work of the ICT Steering Committee and related technical bodies. At the same time, we underline that the accountability framework remains a central outstanding element of the strategy. We therefore look forward to its timely completion, including clear definitions of roles, responsibilities and reporting lines, and encourage continued efforts by the Chief Information Technology Officer to ensure coordinated implementation across the Secretariat. The Group also notes the growing importance of the ICT strategy as an enabler of efficiencies under the UN80 Initiative. In this regard, we believe that strengthening functional reporting arrangements between the ICT Chiefs of United Nations entities and the OICT could add significant value. We further encourage the inclusion of clearer information on efficiency gains and improved mandate delivery in future reports.

6. With respect to ICT budget management, the Group welcomes improvements in the review coverage of ICT budget proposals and reiterates the importance of consolidated reporting on ICT expenditures to enhance transparency, promote consistency across entities, and enable informed decision-making by Member States. We encourage the Secretariat to continue its efforts to achieve greater coherence, strategic alignment, cost-efficiency and effectiveness in the use of ICT resources, as well as to avoid the fragmentation of ICT expenditures. The Group also encourages continued efforts to broaden vendor outreach and diversification, including to suppliers from developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

7. The Group welcomes ongoing work to strengthen enterprise data governance and recognizes the growing importance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. In this regard, we underscore the need for coherent governance frameworks that balance innovation with responsible risk management, data protection and cybersecurity safeguards, while upholding the fundamental rights and values of the UN and encourage continued investment in awareness-raising, training and technical measures to mitigate risks.

8. In conclusion, Madam Chair, the Group of 77 and China reiterates that the ICT strategy must continue to evolve as a strategic tool that enhances transparency, accountability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness while supporting effective mandate delivery. The Group remains ready to engage constructively during this resumed session with a view to ensuring that the strategy fully reflects the guidance of the General Assembly and delivers tangible results for the Organization.

I thank you.