19 October 2018: With the numbers of migrants increasing faster than the global population, UN Member States emphasized the increased interdependence between countries, and called for the recognition of migrants’ qualifications and role in development, as well as for the protection of their rights and the combatting of illegal trafficking.

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) debates on globalization and interdependence and information and communications technology (ICT) took place on 19 October 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. Many delegations also noted that developing countries still lack technology transfer, capacity‑building, financial resources, an enabling international economic environment, and an equitable global trading system, while highlighting growing gender, generational and geographical divides.

Introducing a report on international migration and development (A/73/286), John Wilmoth, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), reported that the number of international migrants increased by almost 50% between 2000 and 2017, faster than the global population. Noting that remittances to low- and middle‑income countries rose to US$466 billion in 2017, he emphasized migrants’ inputs to development in both origin and destination countries. He also mentioned that, in countries of destination, migrants make the population both larger and younger, partially countering the shift towards an older population.

Nazrul Islam, DESA, introduced the Secretary‑General’s report on a new international economic order (A/73/290), noting that official development assistance (ODA) in 2017 was US$146.6 billion, $800 million less than in 2016, with 2017 being the first year ODA has declined since 2011‑2012.

Shamika Sirimanne, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said half of the world’s population had no internet access in 2017, with internet penetration being 17% in the least developed countries (LDCs) as opposed to 81% in the developed world. She added that, beyond the ICT gap, cybersecurity and information society governance are looming issues, given increasing vulnerability to online attacks.

In the ensuing discussions, Malawi for the LDCs, noted that cellular subscriptions ballooned from 42 to 86% in LDCs from 2011 to 2016, but internet access remains at only 17.5%. As barriers to ICTs access he identified population density, the lack of electricity and data networks – with only 39% of the population on the grid, and poor fiber backbones to rural and underserved areas. He also called on development partners to strengthen support to LDCs so they can accelerate economic growth and promote sustainable development.

Maldives for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) said SIDS face barriers to ICT penetration caused by their geographical isolation, dispersed population, and remoteness from markets. Noting that while SIDS have made “tremendous advances” in connectivity over the last decade, with most now connected to at least one submarine cable, she said difficulties with affordability, access, and climate change infrastructure damage remain.

Egypt for the Group of 77 and China (G-77/China) called for “a breakthrough in international technology cooperation,” characterized by technology transfer and its diffusion on concessional and preferential terms from developed countries, especially to address the impacts of climate change and to improve ocean health. He welcomed the upcoming intergovernmental conference to adopt the Global Compact on Migration. Russia, also noting the upcoming “landmark” adoption of the Global Compact, expressed hope for positive transformation with regards to migration. The Philippines expressed “deep concern” over recent reports of some countries pulling out of the Global Compact just months before its adoption. El Salvador for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) called for reducing remittance costs to less than 3% of the amount transferred and for eliminating corridors with costs higher than 5%.

India pointed out that global commons such as the oceans, space and cyberspace represent additional areas where international collaboration is needed to manage collective interests. Thailand said greater efforts are needed to address the inability of some countries to deal with the uncertainties of international trade and finance, the irregular movements of people, and limited access to advanced technologies.

Nepal emphasized that LDCs and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are vulnerable to various socioeconomic shocks triggered by globalization. He added that those LDCs that are also landlocked face infrastructure bottlenecks and capacity constraints that largely limit their ability to gain from globalization. He stressed that the international community needs to support developing countries to level the playing field by carrying out needed reforms to global governance and international financial architectures. [UN meeting summary]