New York: The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and Chairman of the Group of 77 and China, Abbas Kadhim Obaid, announced Iraq’s eagerness to establish partnerships in the field of information technology.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement confirming that Abbas Kadhim Obaid met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), at the United Nations headquarters in New York. During their meeting, Obaid expressed his appreciation for the ITU’s role in supporting technology transfer and enhancing telecommunications infrastructure in developing countries.

Obaid emphasized that support should extend beyond providing technical devices and equipment to include strengthening institutional aspects and human resource training. This approach aims to bridge the digital divide between developing and developed countries.

The statement highlighted that capacity building in communications and information technology is a priority for the Group of 77 and China due to its critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change challenges. Iraq, as Chairman of the Group, is committed to building partnerships and collaborating with United Nations agencies to enhance contributions towards shared goals through collective responsibility.

ITU Secretary-General Bogdan-Martin noted that the Global Digital Compact (GDC) serves as an action framework within which the Union is dedicated to fulfilling its commitments based on available resources.

The statement further mentioned that both sides agreed on the significance of the fourth Financing for Development Conference in advancing efforts to provide internet services to over 2.6 billion people globally. Developing countries, particularly the Group of 77 and China, comprise the majority of this underserved population.

According to the statement, the Secretary-General expressed her hope for active participation from the group during the WSIS+20 high-level event in Geneva from July 7 to 11, 2025. This event will mark the twentieth anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), in partnership with the ITU, the Swiss government, UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme, and UNCTAD.

The two sides reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Group of 77 and China and the International Telecommunication Union, aiming for comprehensive digital development that benefits developing countries and accelerates the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.