Information Communication and Technology has become a cornerstone of modern society, revolutionizing the way we lead our lives and interact with one another. Today ICT touches every aspect of the economy – from manufacturing and agriculture to administration and government bureaucracies.

ICT offers limitless possibilities, but although there are major changes in the last decade, far too many people on the globe still lack access.  In 2014, 4 billion people don’t have access to the Internet. The world’s unconnected are having to leapfrog in their ICT capacity. Addressing the “knowledge deficit”, as coined by Dr. George Sadowsky when the internet was first invented, will be critical if we are to achieve a sustainable world where no one is left behind.

Mr. Chairman,

We have seen dramatic changes in the ICT landscape since the Millennium Development Summit and the World Summit on Information Society. As noted by the United Nations Group on Information Society, these changes make ICTs even more directly relevant to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals - helping to accelerate sustainable development, ensuring rights-based approach to development, empowering women, creating jobs and improving education.

Global citizens are more connected than ever before. There are almost as many cell-phone subscriptions as there are people on earth. Men and women around the world are using their mobile devices to communicate, buy and sell goods, transfer money and share their lives publicly on social media. This helps us better understand changes in human well-being and reveals insights on real-time trends in population behavior related to development issues.

Not only has mobile technology changed the way we receive news, it is also innovating the way we respond to emerging crises. For instance, In the face of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, mobile applications are helping workers in the field streamline Ebola research and receive reliable updates from ministries of heath, even when they are on the frontlines in remote areas. Mobile applications can also help disseminate information about Ebola in local languages. The Israeli app "About Ebola" has been downloaded over 5,000 times in West Africa and is available in local languages such as Jola, Krio, Liberian English and Wolof. 

Mr. Chairman,

Israel recognizes the critical role of knowledge dissemination in development, and we are deeply committed to bridging the digital divide. Today, Israel houses 200 ICT start-ups. Israeli companies' market share is estimated at 5%-8% of the global market, far beyond the nation's share in the global economy. Building a dynamic cyber-environment in Israel means nurturing and cultivating R&D and entrepreneurship through strategic investment in industry, as well as through the promotion of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

In the multilateral framework, as part of our ongoing engagement to promote wellbeing through digital media, our government will be hosting a conference in February 2015 on the Forum for Wellbeing in Digital Media, which has already gained the endorsement of UNESCO as part of the work plan of its 'Information for All' Program. In line with the principles and action lines for activity to encourage the development of a people centered information society, Israel believes digital media provides humanity with unprecedented powerful leverages to promote wellbeing.

Israel also actively participates in the work of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the field of Information and Telecommunications in the context of International Security. In this context, Israel supports the recommendations of the 2012/2013 Group of Governmental Experts report and seeks to further advance these recommendations within the work of the group. The global challenges that arise with the malicious use of ICT's and wrongful acts in the cyber domain require joint efforts by the international community within the relevant global frameworks and organizations. Israel is fully committed to support these efforts, and we are increasing our efforts to deal with a range of cyber threats. We are committed to protecting cyberspace as an open space and as the basis for global growth.

Mr. Chairman,

The World Summit on the Information Society, as well as its outcome documents and follow-up processes are critically important in facilitating global cooperation in the promotion and development of ICTs in developing countries.

The potential of ICT for development must be fully considered as we set the Post-2015 development agenda and links must be made with the WSIS +10 review process to ensure coordination and coherence.

Recent developments in regards to the foreseen transition of key internet domain name functions to the global multi-stakeholder community have shown the benefits of the multi-stakeholder model, a model that should continuously be enhanced to maintain the security, stability, and resilience of the internet, to meet the needs and expectation of consumers, and to maintain the openness of the internet.

The incredible rate of mobile communications services use around the world reflects the remarkable success of the multi-stakeholder approach to fulfilling WSIS goals. If we are to achieve the full implementation of the WSIS vision beyond 2015, we must harness the empowered citizens of the world and ensure the full participation of all stakeholders in the spirit of collaboration. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.