A/75/PV.49 General Assembly

Before proceeding, I would like to make a short statement as this is the first meeting of the year. Today marks exactly four months since my first day in office and five months since my arrival in New York. I would like to say a few words to thank everyone. We have accomplished a lot during the past four months and have shown that the United Nations is back. I would like to thank all Member States for their full and comprehensive endorsement of the rules-based international order and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations during the opening segment of the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly. The General Assembly convened 80 formal and informal plenary meetings and adopted 257 resolutions and 67 decisions. We should be proud of what we have done, and I am thankful to everybody. Everything on the agenda has been done; we have not missed any obligation to date. I look forward to doing the same during the second half of the seventy- fifth session.

In keeping with established practice, I would like to draw the attention of the General Assembly to document A/75/661, which contains a letter dated 13 January 2021 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the General Assembly, in which he informs the Assembly that 10 Member States are in arrears in the payment of their financial contributions to the United Nations, within the terms of Article 19 of the Charter of the United Nations. I would like to remind delegations that, under Article 19 of the Charter, “A Member of the United Nations which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years. The General Assembly may, nevertheless, permit such a Member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member.” May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the information contained in document A/75/661?

Members will recall that, at its second plenary meeting, on 18 September 2020 (see A/75/PV.2), the General Assembly decided to allocate agenda item 112 to the Third Committee. In order to enable the Assembly to take action expeditiously on the document, may I take it that the Assembly wishes to consider agenda item 112 directly in plenary meeting and proceed immediately to its consideration? It was so decided (decision 75/504B).

The General Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/75/L.55, entitled “Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes”. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom to introduce draft decision A/75/L.55.

May I begin by responding to your New Year’s message, Sir, by extending the United Kingdom’s thanks for your leadership and dynamism during this particularly challenging period. As you said, we have achieved a great deal over the past four months, and we wish you well for the remainder of your term. I want to start today by saying that we regret having to bring this matter here this afternoon. This is not about the substance of the meeting under discussion. We fully respect the General Assembly’s mandate. Colleagues know that we have put before them draft decision A/75/L.55 to postpone the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. The reason we seek a postponement is that we believe that Member States will not be able to participate equally and fairly or with the necessary expertise because of the coronavirus disease pandemic and the associated restrictions on our work here. While we proposed the draft decision at short notice, this is not a new issue. Our colleagues in Vienna have been trying since December to resolve how today’s meeting could be held in the midst of the worsening health pandemic. We call for a postponement because it is not a simple subject. The long title in itself speaks to a complex issue that fuses technology, crime and diplomacy and is not a matter we are equipped to deal with in New York on our own. The subject matter experts are in Vienna, where cyber and crime is a mandate of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and a number of colleagues have expressed concerns to us in the Hall today that they would effectively be excluded from that meeting if it is held in the current format. They would be excluded if they were forced to have one representative from only their Permanent Mission in New York. It is not right that any United Nations meeting should be held in a way that excludes delegations or makes them feel ill- prepared. There has also been a suggestion that the first session is a simple one and does not require any specific expertise. We respectfully disagree. The provisional agenda agreed by Member States by consensus in Vienna last summer is broader and more complex than simply the election of the Bureau and defining the timetable for future meetings. Items to be discussed include the outline and modalities of the work of the Committee and procedural matters, including the rules of procedure for how the Committee will function and the timeline and schedule for its work. I am pleased to say that, following further discussions with interested States, we are today able to propose a short amendment to the draft decision that we hope, and think, will help us reach consensus. With your permission, Mr. President, I will read out the proposed amendment now. The United Kingdom proposes an oral revision to subparagraph (a) of the third paragraph of the draft decision to specify exact dates for the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The revised paragraph would read, “Decides to further postpone the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee mandated by paragraph 3 of resolution 74/247 to 10 to 12 May 2021”. Colleagues will see that we continue to call on the Assembly to agree to postpone the session, but the Assembly would now agree to postpone the session to a specific date. I hope with that in mind and based on the explanation I have made, we may now move to consider draft decision A/75/L.55, as orally revised.

The General Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/75/L.55, as orally revised. Before giving the floor to speakers in explanation of position, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

On behalf of the Russian delegation, I would like to convey our best wishes to you, Mr. President, at the start of a new year and to wish the General Assembly a productive year. Today’s discussion of the future Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes is an extremely important part of our work this year. Russia believes that drafting a comprehensive United Nations convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes is a priority for the international community. The threat level from cybercriminals during the pandemic has increased severalfold and has clearly demonstrated the relevance of this undertaking at the global scale. Russia therefore attaches particular importance to the prompt launching of the full work of the Committee established by resolution 74/247. Like many others in the Hall, our delegation was ready to begin work from 20 to 22 January, in accordance with decision 74/567, adopted by consensus in August 2020. We are ready to begin the Committee’s work here at Headquarters, as demonstrated by our presence in the Hall, and we thank the Secretariat for that. The Committee has important tasks before it, including the selection of a Chair and members to fill other offices and a decision on the venues, dates and frequency of its future sessions. However, those tasks can hardly be described as exceeding the bounds of the decisions made on a daily basis by the Permanent Missions here in New York. Yet, a few days before the beginning of the organizational session, draft decision A/75/L.55 has been introduced with the proposal to postpone it. The State that proposed the draft decision suggested that, as delegations from capitals would be unable to participate in the session, the Committee’s work would be ineffective. We do not agree with that point of view and believe that the importance of launching negotiations outweighs the technical issues we may face in connection with the pandemic. At the same time, we are pleased to note that the sponsor of the draft decision confirmed the importance of fulfilling the Committee’s mandate and expressed its commitment to achieving that goal. On that basis, we have decided not to object to the draft decision so that all delegations may have the most comfortable conditions possible for their work. That spirit of cooperation should guarantee the future effectiveness of such an important Committee. We trust that we will all meet at the organizational session of the Committee from 10 to 12 May and will unite our efforts to launch substantive work on the first comprehensive convention to counter the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes.

My delegation co-sponsored resolution 74/247, entitled “Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes”, based on our commitment to combating crime and cognizant of the increasing incidence of cybercrimes. Nicaragua continues to support the convening of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, which, in line with decision 74/567, adopted by consensus in August 2020, was scheduled to be held from 20 to 22 January. To ensure flexibility and given the need to elaborate a convention that is acceptable to all States, we will join the consensus on draft decision A/75/L.55, which proposes that the organizational session of the Committee be held in New York from 10 to 12 May. Although the pandemic has seriously affected our work, as everyone knows, Headquarters has demonstrated the willingness and organizational skill required to create the conditions that allow for holding a considerable number of meetings and elections, including important committee meetings. We hope that the organizational session of the Committee will be held, especially as it will address merely administrative and procedural matters, such as the election of the members of the Bureau, which do not require a high level of expertise in the area of cybercrime. Furthermore, representatives of all States Members of the United Nations here in New York can attend. We reiterate the fact that electing a Chair and Vice-Chair will be the first step in fulfilling the mandate outlined by resolution 74/247. It is crucial that we work in good faith, respect the mandated and agreed upon procedures and ensure that we do not set a negative precedent that would disrupt the continuity of our future work on an issue so pertinent for our peoples. We must ensure that the United Nations can respond to the threats that we face.

China thanks you, Mr. President, for leading today’s meeting of the General Assembly to a successful outcome. My delegation will join the consensus on draft decision A/75/L.55. We understand that this is a temporary arrangement in the context of the resurgent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. China remains of the view that holding the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes as early as possible is a crucial step towards implementing resolution 74/247 and launching the negotiation process. That will enable countries to effectively address the challenges posed by cybercrimes and help to steadily advance the established global governance agenda. We regret that the organizational session is being postponed. We hope that the preparatory work for the negotiation process as a whole will not be disrupted because of the postponement. Against the backdrop of COVID-19, it is all the more important for countries to demonstrate sincerity and flexibility, expedite the preparations for the negotiation process on all fronts and strive to resolve outstanding issues before the organizational session is held from 10 to 12 May.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position. The Assembly will take action on draft decision A/75/L.55, as orally revised. I give the floor to the representative of the Secretariat.

I should like to announce, that since the submission of draft decision A/75/L.55, and in addition to the delegations listed in the document, the following countries have also become sponsors of draft decision A/75/L.55, as orally revised: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United States of America.

May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft decision A/75/L.55, as orally revised?

Before giving the floor to speakers in explanation of position on the decision just adopted, may I remind delegations that explanations are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.

The Nigerian delegation co-sponsored decision 75/555, submitted by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, in support of the postponement of the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes because of our firm belief in a transparent, inclusive and effective process, which cannot be guaranteed by holding the session from 20 to 22 January. The session would admit one in-person representative per delegation owing to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in New York. That would deny many Member States, including our delegation, the opportunity to secure the participation of their subject matter experts on a very important issue. We are unable to understand how a single representative for each delegation would be able to adequately address such a robust agenda item, which is intended to set the tone for a process that has generated tremendous interest globally. In addition, the Committee secretariat, which is based in Vienna, is not able to travel to New York for the meeting owing to the COVID-19 situation, thereby forcing it to request its liaison office in New York to service the session instead. Under the prevailing circumstances, no one could guarantee that it would be possible to hold a fair and inclusive session from 20 to 22 January. My delegation believes that the current procedures for convening such an important meeting would not guarantee a fair organizational session. The adoption of decision 75/555, as orally revised, to postpone the organizational session to 10 to 12 May would not affect any aspect of resolution 74/247, as Member States will still have ample time to prepare and submit an outcome for consideration and adoption during the seventy-fifth session of the General Assembly. There is therefore no value in proceeding with, or insisting on, the holding of a meeting under very unfavourable conditions, when the same objective can still be achieved if we postpone the meeting until May and take all the necessary measures to guarantee inclusive participation. As a delegation with more than 90 million Internet users, with the attendant challenges, Nigeria continues to take the issue of cybercrime very seriously. An international convention should meet the minimum standards of fairness, inclusivity and transparency.

The Dominican Republic would like to reiterate its support for decision 75/555, introduced by the United Kingdom and co-sponsored by more than 40 Member States, including the Dominican Republic, on the postponement of the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, originally scheduled to be held from 20 to 22 January. It is common sense, but we strongly believe that, as a result of coronavirus disease-related restrictions, the minimum conditions required for the holding of an in-person session in New York cannot currently be met. In that regard, we understand that insisting on holding the session now would not lead to the best possible outcome for the event and would affect the entire process. We would not have the expertise of a technical secretariat, because experts in Vienna are unable to travel to New York. Furthermore, only one representative from each delegation would be allowed to participate in the session, which would not have a virtual component. That would mean that Member States that submitted nominations for election to the Bureau of the Ad Hoc Committee, such as the Dominican Republic, would not be represented by their nominees in New York during the election of Bureau members. We believe that that would not lead to the best possible outcome for such an important process, even though it is not an urgent matter. Today’s discussions followed a series of information meetings held in Vienna in an attempt to reach consensus on the proposed postponement. However, some delegations ignored the fact that several Member States were in favour of postponing the organizational session of the Committee, and that was the reason we met here today. We call upon the delegations present to support decision 75/255 to postpone the organizational session of the Committee until May, when we hope conditions will be different. If they are not, then the Secretariat would have sufficient time to ensure the in-person and virtual components of the session. The Dominican Republic would like to reiterate its commitment to the process and its willingness to work together with all Member States to ensure that we can agree on an international treaty that represents each and every one of us. We will be guided at all times by the principles of transparency, impartiality and inclusivity.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela takes the floor to explain our position on decision 75/255, “Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes”. From the beginning, Venezuela has supported the need for the United Nations to support discussions on a legally binding instrument on the issue of cybercrime. We co-sponsored resolution 74/247, given the increasing need and relevance in everyday life for information and communications technologies in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights and of peace and security, which have even more urgent given the coronavirus disease pandemic. As humankind has experienced at first hand in recent months, such technologies are a powerful tool that at the same time can carry profound risks. If not appropriately managed by States, they are highly susceptible to being used by criminals who take advantage of their functions, scope and impact to commit any number of crimes against people and institutions of all kinds. It is therefore crucial that the United Nations begin to make headway this year in its discussion of a convention that brings together international efforts around a very complex issue and that all States make a constructive and transparent contribution to paving the way for a comprehensive and expedited process. For that reason, given the relevance of the issue, and in the spirit of a determined commitment to produce a robust document, Venezuela did not oppose the postponement of the organizational session of the Committee to a later date. Nevertheless, we hope that the remaining time will allow for enhanced cooperation and preparatory work with a view to the Committee’s holding of a productive organizational session that benefit all States.

The Republic of Belarus attaches great importance to the elaboration of a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. We co-sponsored and supported resolution 74/247. We also took note of decision 74/567, which postponed the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. The prompt start of the work of the Committee is in the interests of all States. We understand that conditions at Headquarters allow for meetings to take place, despite the epidemiological situation, as demonstrated by several meetings of the General Assembly that were held during the past few months. The upcoming organizational session of the Committee is aimed at resolving procedural matters, which does not require particular expert resources to be deployed. We understand that delegations in New York have the necessary level of competence and skill to participate in the session. We supported the consensus on decision 75/255, which was just adopted, based on the principle of cooperation and mutual understanding. We hope it will not have an impact on the quality of the work of the Committee in future.

At the outset, the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would like to thank the delegation of the United Kingdom for sponsoring decision 75/255, on the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. According to subparagraph (a) of the third paragraph of decision 75/255, the organizational session of the Committee will be postponed to 10 to 12 May. The delegation of my country would like to clarify a number of points in that regard. My country supported the inclusion of a new item on the agenda of the Third Committee regarding countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes. We believe that it is important to consider the adoption of international laws on the issue. My country faces several obstacles due to weak cooperation among major technology companies and legal and law enforcement authorities across the world. That has played a significant role in the failure to implement pre-emptive and proactive policies on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, Moreover, the lack of digital identification in the virtual world, on top of plagiarism and phishing, has also played a significant role in the difficulty of identifying the perpetrators of such crimes and implementing legal measures against them, as well as in the existence of disparities among countries with regard to information and communications technologies legislation that imposes punishments on such criminal behaviour. The legal loopholes among regions and countries in the areas of countering information and communications technologies crimes have made it easy for perpetrators to continue their dangerous practices and made it difficult for Governments and security authorities to pursue and prosecute them. Therefore, my country is of the view that States should be urged to enact domestic legislation that respects their privacy and national sovereignty and at the same time assists them in countering cybercrimes and tracking perpetrators at the regional and international levels. The current unusual circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic have to a large extent hindered work at the United Nations, including as a result of significant restrictions to the freedom of movement owing to precautionary measures. The Committee’s organizational session, which had been scheduled to be held at an earlier date, was therefore postponed. Given that those circumstances remain unchanged, my country’s delegation is unable to seek assistance from experts. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the issue of countering cybercrimes. We are of the view that rushing this process will be counterproductive and hinder us from reaching the goals that my country voted to include in this sensitive and vital item. The virtual world has become part and parcel of our real world. That is why we should simultaneously attach the same importance to them. Any laws that are enacted or applied in the real world must have parallel laws in the virtual world. Therefore, the international community should, through the relevant authorities, step up cooperation and support all efforts in that regard by raising awareness on the safe use of technology and highlighting the methods used by criminal and terrorist groups that are active on the Internet, in addition to developing the competencies and qualifications of those working in the field of security information and providing them with ad hoc training programmes.

Malaysia would like to explain its position on the decision just adopted pertaining to the convening of the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes (decision 75/555). The reality of today is clear: Member States all over the world are facing numerous challenges due to cybercrime. We cannot afford to allow such crimes to continue and permeate without addressing them. That is precisely the goal that Member States have set for the Ad Hoc Committee, which is to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. Malaysia listened carefully to the perspectives shared by other delegations during today’s meeting, as well as in previous discussions in both New York and Vienna. There are merits to those arguments. We understand that some would prefer to proceed with the organizational session next week, given the preparation that they have dutifully undertaken. Others would prefer to hold the organizational session at a later date, for reasons that are known to us. We can empathize with both sides. The fact that all Member States just successfully adopted a General Assembly decision by consensus, despite challenging circumstances and slightly varying perspectives, is a testament to the power of consultative approaches. Even though there are disagreements and differences, those can and should be addressed delicately. We welcome an amicable solution where everyone is on-board. Malaysia believes that a fruitful organizational session is a must, during which all delegations can partake in constructive discussions. That will ensure that we are starting the deliberative process on the right footing as a foundation for the years to come. Our collective experience in multilateral diplomacy and negotiations has surely taught us the importance of careful and thorough deliberations, and both the organizational and substantive elements of the process are vital to allow us to strive for a successful outcome. As we speak, we must also take into account the current reality in the midst of the pandemic. Our engagements and interactions must be guided by all health guidelines and standard operating procedures provided by local authorities and the United Nations, because we must always safeguard the health and safety of all participating representatives and staff. On that note, Malaysia would like to emphasize once again that our views and position remain the same. Cybercrime poses various forms of challenges to all countries. We need an international convention that has been carefully negotiated and agreed by all through consensus to address such crimes. All Member States need to work together through the process of the Ad Hoc Committee, which we created together, to achieve that collective goal. Malaysia stands ready to continue its constructive engagement in, and contributions to, the process moving forward.

My country stresses that the threat of cybercrime is worsening day by day due to the increasing use of information and communication technologies by criminal networks and terrorist groups to achieve their criminal and terrorist goals, thereby impacting the stability of States, their infrastructure and institutions, especially their social and cultural fabric, in addition to their socioeconomic development. As the digital divide between countries widens, it inevitably undermines the ability of many countries to prevent and combat such crimes and prosecute their perpetrators. The Syrian Arab Republic believes that there is no doubt that the high and increasing rates of crimes committed in the digital world have had a significant impact on the spread of terrorist crimes around the world, especially those committed by terrorist organizations in the Syrian Arab Republic and Iraq. The uncontrolled and untraceable virtual space is conducive for terrorist groups committing all forms of crimes, including murder, trafficking in persons and in cultural property, looting of monuments and religious sites and the use of the Internet in order to assault, abduct and recruit children for their exploitation in conflict and terrorist activities. In addition, it facilitates acts of racism and incitement to hatred and intercommunal, interracial and sectarian fighting, as well as committing other grave violations of laws, conventions and relevant international resolutions. That calls for a serious response at the international level. My country has taken many measures to address the threat of cybercrime and the use of cyberspace by terrorist groups to commit the most heinous transnational crimes. Such measures include enhanced legal frameworks. However, in terms of the practical implementation of legislation, our relevant authorities have faced many problems and challenges, given that this kind of cybercrime knows no limits, making criminal investigations more complicated for law enforcement authorities. The challenges in that regard include addressing the monopoly of certain developed countries over the Internet, the politicization of work, the lack of cooperation in the field of sharing evidence and information with the Syrian Arab Republic’s authorities on the perpetrators of criminal activities on the Internet, as well as the constricting blockade and unilateral illegal coercive measures imposed on my country by the United States, other countries and the European Union, which are monopolizing information and communication technologies. All of those challenges have limited the capacity of the relevant authorities in my country to obtain the technologies and tools necessary to combat cybercrime. The Syrian Arab Republic is of the view that the instruments of criminal law currently in use at the international and regional levels are insufficient to confront the illegal use of information and communication technologies in criminal and terrorist operations. At present, there is no international convention on the matter, except the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, which does not cover the use of information and communication technologies in terrorist acts. In that connection, in pursuit of enhancing the fight against the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes, my delegation joined the consensus on decision 75/555 based on our belief in the need to forge ahead in New York with the work of the Ad Hoc Committee established under resolution 74/247. That involves the creation of an international comprehensive convention on combating the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes and ensuring the participation of all countries concerned in discussions on the matter in order to reach an agreement among Member States on solutions to combat crimes committed by using information and communication technologies. There is also a need to establish an international legally binding instrument on international cooperation in that regard that serves the interests of Member States, bearing in mind that the existing criminal law instruments are inadequate in countering crimes involving information and communication technologies.

Indonesia attaches great importance to the General Assembly resolutions on countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. The pandemic has increased the reliance of our society on information and communication technologies, which have become a necessity in all aspects of life, including education, trade and finance as well as numerous essential services. However, it is alarming that some groups continue to misuse that platform in order to conduct criminal activities. Those malign activities cause significant damage to livelihoods. They affect Governments, companies — including small and medium enterprises  — and ordinary people who use information and communication technologies for their daily needs. Indonesia is of the view that we need to show our commitment and make concrete efforts to address that common threat and protect the public interest, including through the elaboration of a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal proposes. We adopted resolution 74/247 on 27 December 2019, but unfortunately the pandemic prevented us from effectively initiating our work in that regard. Nevertheless, we must bear in mind that the challenge of the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes is more worrisome. Moreover, it runs counter to global efforts to fight the coronavirus disease pandemic. Indonesia underlines the need to promptly commence the work of the open- ended ad hoc intergovernmental committee of experts. With regard to decision 75/155, Indonesia joined the consensus and hopes that the meeting to be held from 10 to 12 May will provide a solid basis for deliberation on an open and inclusive process that addresses the concerns of all States involved.

My delegation joins others in the hope that this year will be a better one for our work in the General Assembly. We are grateful for your leadership, Mr. President, over these past months of work during the seventy-fifth session. My delegation would also like to place on record its position on the decision we just adopted (decision 75/555) to postpone the organizational session of the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes for several weeks. My delegation was ready and willing to begin the process, which was already postponed once last year. Our delegation believes that the organizational session is not substantive, but merely a session to adopt the rules by which we would conduct the work of the important body created under resolution 74/247, as well as to elect the officers who would conduct the Ad Hoc Committee’s work. In our delegation’s view, the experts on both issues are here in New York. The Assembly is accustomed to electing officers for intergovernmental processes and is therefore perhaps best placed to handle matters such as the rules of procedure. In that connection, my delegation was ready to initiate the process, which will undoubtedly be a complex and time-consuming one  — another reason, we believe, not to put it off any longer. However, in the light of the concerns expressed by some delegations that the event would take place next week as initially planned, we joined the consensus because we are convinced that such a highly complex process must begin in a constructive spirit and with the will of all States to reach a legally binding instrument to help us confront the growing scourge of the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. For those reasons, my delegation joined the consensus on the decision adopted a few moments ago. Furthermore, we would like to place on record our hope that the process will indeed take place on the dates specified in the decision and that the process will not be further postponed.

We have heard the last speaker in explanation of position. The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 112.

The General Assembly will now turn to the appointment of members of the Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production in order to fill a remaining vacancy for a term beginning on the date of appointment by the Assembly and ending on 15 September 2021. Members will recall that, by its resolution 67/203, of 21 December 2012, the Assembly decided to establish the 10-member Board, consisting of two members from each United Nations regional group. Members will also recall that, by its resolution 69/214, of 19 December 2014, the Assembly decided that the duration of subsequent terms for members of the Board shall continue to be two years, starting on 16 September of every second year, and that the United Nations regional groups may renominate one of their existing two members of the Board for one consecutive term, while ensuring that no Member State may be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms and taking into account the importance of ensuring continuity and rotation in the work of the Board. In that regard, the Secretariat has received the nomination of Mauritius for the period 2020 to 2021. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to appoint Mauritius as a member of Board of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns for a term beginning on 15 January 2021 and ending on 15 September 2021? It was so decided (decision 75/414).

Members are reminded that six vacancies remain for the term beginning on the date of the appointment by the General Assembly and ending on 15 September 2021, as follows: one member each from the Groups of African States, the Asia-Pacific States, the Eastern European States and Western European and other States, as well as two members from among the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States. Members are also reminded that 10 vacancies need to be filled for a term beginning on 16 December 2021 and ending on 15 September 2023, as follows: two members each from among the Group of African States, the Group of Asia-Pacific States, the Group of Eastern European States, the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Group of Western European and other States. The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of sub-item (i) of agenda item 120.