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Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

12 March 2021

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for the opportunity to address the closing of this important meeting.

Your discussions today around the role of e-commerce during the pandemic and the challenges faced by individuals, businesses, and governments in digitization are much appreciated. And the lessons learnt during this period will be many, and we cannot overstate the importance of understanding the obstacles so many have faced in shifting to a more digital world.

Looking ahead, the trend towards e-commerce is likely to continue throughout recovery from COVID-19, becoming part of the so-called ¡°new normal¡±. It is therefore important that we recognize the challenges and take steps to support governments and citizens as they continue to embrace this new way of working.?

Doing so requires that we work to expand connectivity and close the digital divide, but it also means that we work to build capacities and remove the barriers to opportunity. Today¡¯s discussions, and the work of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵCTAD broadly, have underscored three critical areas where greater efforts are needed.

First, we need to work with governments to put in place the necessary policy changes and institutional architecture for e-commerce. This means amending legal and regulatory frameworks to improve security, and putting in place the digital systems needed to enable online payments and other forms of e-commerce.??

Second, and concurrent to the first point, is the need to strengthen the capacities of local businesses and entrepreneurs. It isn¡¯t enough for the digital ecosystem to exist if people are unable to access it; we have to work to ensure that people everywhere are offered the skills and capacities needed to become part of this rapidly emerging online marketplace.

And finally, we, the global multilateral system, must prioritize these efforts and support them as broadly as we can. With the Sustainable Development Goals as our framework, and with an eye to expanding digitization and leaving no one behind, the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and partners ¨C particularly those in the development sphere ¨C must support national and local plans, and ensure that these are incorporated into recovery from COVID-19.?

To fulfil the recommendations I have just outlined, greater and truly universal connectivity is a must. This means extending digitization to Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island States, as well as to women and girls, and other marginalized groups, who are far too often the last to benefit from global advances.

E-commerce offers immense potential across the SDGs, with particularly clear benefits in efforts to combat poverty; reduce inequalities; provide quality healthcare; enhance jobs and livelihoods; and to improve gender equality. Efforts, therefore, must be made to harness this rapidly emerging tool.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The barrier of the digital divide, which was real long before COVID-19, is a challenge which can be removed through our collective efforts and international support. I am, therefore, quite pleased that the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ System is leading this conversation.

In this regard, I will be convening a one-day High-level Thematic Debate on Digital Cooperation and Connectivity on the 27^th of April.

This High-level Thematic Debate will be held under the theme ¡°Whole-of-Society Approaches to End the Digital Divide¡± and it will provide a platform for frank exchanges amongst relevant Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ entities, technology leaders, constituents and stakeholders, to further align work in support of Member States¡¯ needs. The provisional programme for the thematic debate was circulated on March 10^th, so I am sure you will be able to have a look at it.

It is my hope that these expert discussions, coupled with high-level political statements of intent and support, will build momentum and mobilize the international community to strengthen existing multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships, and support the creation of additional partnerships to accelerate implementation. It will also encourage Member States to be more engaged in digital governance, as that will allow them to be part of the decision-making process.

In closing, I must emphasize that the international community has both a moral and practical obligation to address digital inequalities; to do so would both expedite efforts to eradicate poverty and empower people everywhere, as well as fuel economic growth at all levels. This offers the possibility of new markets and sectors, and is an economic win for all stakeholders.

I hope you will join us in making this event a success. I thank you once again for the opportunity to join you today. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.