The United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) Sixty-ninth session Statement of the Rapporteur of the United Nations Committee on Information Mr. Chibaula David Silwamba (Zambia) 21st October 2014 The Chairperson, The Acting Head of the Department of Public Information (DPI) Mr. Maher Nasser, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I have the honour this afternoon to introduce the report of the thirty- sixth (36th) session of the Committee on Information. The report, contained in three chapters, reflects the organization of the session, general debate and the draft resolution adopted by consensus. The first two chapters include an introduction to the Committee’s work and the organizational questions related to the 36th session. The current list of members is also contained in chapter 2. Chapter three of the report, provides a summary of the general debate. A total of 25 Member States and four observers addressed the Committee. Prior to the commencement of the general debate, there was a statement by the Chairperson of the Committee on Information, Her Excellency Ambassador Lyutha Al-Mughairy of Oman, followed by a comprehensive presentation by the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. The Committee also endorsed the membership application of Iraq. Three reports of the Secretary-General and the Strategic Framework of the Department of Public Information for 2016 – 2017 were submitted by DPI for consideration by this Committee. The Under-Secretary-General, who introduced the reports of the Secretary-General, provided additional information on the work of the Department and responded to questions and comments made from Member States at the conclusion of the debate. In taking up the substantive issues before the Committee, speakers emphasized the central role of the United Nations in global affairs and of the Department of Public Information as its public voice. Speakers acknowledged that the United Nations was the only universal forum for collective deliberation and decision-making on issues and concerns faced by the international community. Several speakers extended their full support to DPI for its work in promoting and advancing the work of the Organization through its continued campaigns on issues of importance to the international community Much of the discussion focussed on the role of multilingualism and the use of new communications platforms. While expressing appreciation for the growing use of the new information and communications technologies (ICTs), one speaker representing a large group expressed concern that there remained deepening disparity in the use of the official United Nations languages on the Organization’s website, despite the Department’s efforts to improve multilingual content. Another speaker reflecting the views of a large group expressed her group’s satisfaction for the explicit support given by the Committee to the mainstreaming of multilingualism into the Secretariat’s communication and information activities. She commended DPI for its partnership arrangements on increasing the availability of multilingual content in a cost neutral manner and for its continued efforts to enhance the accessibility of the UN website. Referring to the General Assembly’s request for issuance of UN press releases in all Six UN languages, one speaker reflecting the views of a large group reiterated the call for DPI to design and implement a strategy, in close collaboration with other departments, to deliver daily press releases in all six official languages through creative schemes, in a cost-neutral manner. The speaker emphasized that the use of the phrase creative schemes in the current resolution was deliberate, as the group recognized that in times of zero-real increases in budgets, the Department must find ways of doing more with static resources. Another speaker, voicing the concern of her group at the strategy on press releases submitted by the Department, noted that this would lead to fewer meetings being covered. The group was particularly concerned that a number of important UN bodies would not receive any coverage in the proposed plan, in any language. Since for some of those bodies summary records were not available, press releases were the only way to ensure transparency, accountability and institutional memory. Another speaker, sharing his group’s concern that the Department on its website was not consistently adhering to the principle of parity among the six official languages, reiterated that the Department’s existing mandate demanded that it delivers press releases in all official languages. Several speakers voiced strong support for the network of UN information centres, describing them as a vital source of information for local communities. A number of speakers identified individual information centres, located in their respective capitals, and commended their efforts to promote the work of the United Nations, often using local languages and in partnership with local authorities. Several speakers welcomed the growing importance of the UN Academic Impact as a global platform for universities and research organizations. Several speakers commended DPI for its special information programme on the question of Palestine, including the training programme for Palestinian journalists. In response to the common consensus for augmenting multilingualism in DPI’s work, the Chairperson of the Committee proposed the creation of a Group of Friends to continue to work with the Department of Public Information on effective, pragmatic and creative ways in which the issue of multilingualism can be addressed. As I conclude, please allow me to express my gratitude to the chairperson, Her Excellency Ambassador Lyutha Al-Mughairy, and the bureau members. I further wish to extend my appreciation to the immediate-past Under-Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information His Excellency Ambassador Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, the acting head of the Department of Public Information (DPI) Mr Maher Nasser, the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Ramu Damodaran and his team that includes Mr Hasan Ferdous, Mr. Vikas Sharma, Ms Daniela Sinobad and many others, for their support and commitment to duty. On behalf of the Member States, and particularly the bureau of the Committee on Information, I extend many thanks and best wishes to our colleague and dear friend Mr Hasan Ferdous, who will be retiring from the United Nations this year. Mr Ferdous’ contribution and dedication to the Committee on Information, and indeed the United Nations system, is admirable and worth emulating. Lastly, I extend my appreciation and best wishes to the entire management and staff of the United Nations Department of Public Information for their continued support and excellent work. Chairperson, I thank you
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:17:12 +0000
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