Explanation of Position following the Adoption of the UNGA72 Second Committee Resolution on Information and Communication Technologies for Development

Marji Christian
International Relations Officer
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York City
November 30, 2017

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Chair.

While we are joining consensus on this resolution, we take this opportunity to clarify important points.

With regard to this resolution’s references to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, we addressed our concerns in a general statement delivered on November 17.

Also, the United States disassociates from language to the extent that technology transfer references promote technology transfer or distribution of intellectual property rights that are not voluntary and on mutually agreed terms. For the United States, any such language will have no standing in future negotiations. The United States continues to oppose language that we believe undermines intellectual property rights.

Thank you.