Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Norberto Moretti, at the Informal consultations on the Global Digital Compact - July 1st, 2024

Dear Co-Facilitators,

I associate myself with the statement by Uganda on behalf of the G77. As we have reached a critical juncture in the negotiations, it is appropriate for me to share some preliminary thoughts on rev.2 in my national capacity.

Before that, I commend you for the resolute and attentive conduct of the negotiations. Faced with a difficult balancing act between competing views and priorities, you have successfully managed to keep the document concise, action-oriented, and ambitious. You were also able to make it more consistent throughout.

We equally appreciate your decision to retain proposals aimed at filling identified gaps in digital governance, with a stronger role

for the UN. You came a long way in reconciling institutional innovations with the need to confirm and ascribe roles to existing fora and processes in the implementation and follow-up of the Pact, in particular those in the framework of WSIS.

We are glad to see that the GDC seems then to be on track to update and complement the WSIS framework on topics that are new or have not yet been adequately addressed [Among them, data, digital public infrastructure, inclusion, and fair and equitable competition and innovation in the digital economy, information integrity, and artificial intelligence.]

The document has also made headway in reaffirming primary WSIS goals and principles[, such as bridging digital divides; universal and meaningful digital inclusion; international solidarity; human rights protection and promotion; gender equality; an inclusive, safe, and secure environment for all users; and the multistakeholder model as set out in Tunis.]

The bottom line is that the GDC should embody the pro-development approach enshrined in WSIS, help enhance digital cooperation, and strengthen the role of governments and other stakeholders from developing countries in international digital governance.

Having said that, further improvement in the text is possible.

We should make a long overdue call for the implementation of enhanced cooperation in the context of Internet governance as envisioned in Tunis. Aspects around data for development should also be covered in discussions on international data governance arrangements, as well as equitable access to satellite orbits under connectivity.

Further, we strongly advise against reopening a carefully crafted agreement on the relationship between the Paris Agreement and

the UNFCCC, to avoid disturbances, as well as unnecessary risks to the success of the negotiations.

Last but not least, as we continue to trust in your guidance and share the goal of a meaningful and timely conclusion of the negotiations, we would all benefit from additional time for a productive engagement in the last stretch of the negotiations. This will allow us to tie up the remaining loose ends and ensure collective ownership of the outcome. As they say in French, “Allons doucement car nous sommes pressés.”

Thank you.