GROUP OF 77
GENEVA

STATEMENT BY THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA AT THE 15TH SESSION OF THE INVESTMENT, ENTERPRISE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
(Geneva, 5 May 2025)

Chair of the 15th Session of the Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission,
Mr. Pedro Moreno, Under Secretary-General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. At the outset, allow me to extend, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, our warm congratulations to you, Mr. Chair, and the Vice-Chairs on your election. We are confident that under your able leadership, this Commission will conduct its work successfully. The Group also wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the UNCTAD Secretariat for the preparation of this meeting, which addresses a highly important and timely topic - Investing in the digital economy.

2. According to data coming from ITU, closing the investment gap for digital infrastructure, for example, is estimated to reach at least USD 1.6 trillion, mostly in developing countries. Access to the internet remains a luxury for many, as 33 per cent of today's global population is offline and of course this touches at least 54 per cent of people living in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

3. The Group reaffirms that digital transformation represents a critical avenue for achieving sustainable development, enabling developing countries to modernize industries, foster innovation, and improve public service delivery. However, we remain deeply concerned by the persistent and widening digital divide that continue to marginalize many of our countries from fully participating in and benefiting from the digital economy.

4. The digital transformation process is not only technological - it is fundamentally developmental. For developing countries, it is imperative that digitalization builds on existing efforts through alignment with national priorities and contributes directly to inclusive economic growth. Unfortunately, many developing countries still face limited access to digital infrastructure, weak regulatory frameworks, lack of digital literacy, and insufficient participation in digital governance processes.

5. In this regard, the Group calls upon UNCTAD to intensify its role in providing research, policy analysis, capacity-building, and technical assistance to help developing countries:

- Bridge digital divides among and within countries and foster the development of robust, inclusive, and sustainable digital economies;
- Enhance their participation and coordination in e-commerce and digitally deliverable services trade;
- Strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for data governance and digital taxation;
- Create an enabling environment for digital innovation
- Support the development and deployment of digital public goods and infrastructure; and
- Increase their voice and meaningful representation in global digital and AI governance.

6. We also emphasize the urgent need for international cooperation, including through North-South, which will complement South-South, and triangular cooperation, to mobilize investment and transfer knowledge and technologies that will accelerate digital inclusion.

7. Let us recall that without equitable access to digital tools, partnerships and opportunities, the digital economy risks becoming a driver of inequality rather than development. UNCTAD's support is vital to ensuring that digitalization becomes a catalyst for sustainable development for all.

I thank you.