Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on an information and communication technology strategy,2 and welcomes the significant step it represents in developing a strategic framework to guide the further development of information and communication technology in the United Nations, as called for in its resolution 56/239;
Stresses the importance of information and communication technology as a strategic tool for strengthening the functioning of the United Nations, and recognizes its potential for application throughout the Organization to improve effectiveness and work practices, to facilitate multilingualism, including public information activities, and to enhance programme delivery, as mandated;
3
Notes with interest key elements of the approach set out by the Secretary-General, notably the three broad areas of sharing and dissemination of information, administration and management, and the servicing of United Nations organs and governing bodies as a framework for classifying initiatives; priority given to robust infrastructure, system security, reliable field connectivity, and internal human resources capacity-building; a governance structure; and the requirement to ensure that investments in information and communication technology generate tangible returns commensurate with their cost;
4
Requeststhe Secretary-General to provide further information and to make proposals, to be considered in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004–2005, on the further strengthening of governance and central leadership arrangements, including a mechanism to assess the results achieved and apply the lessons learned and the suggestion made by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions3 that the head of the Information Technology Services Division of the Office of Central Support Services of the Secretariat be enabled to act as a chief information and communication technology officer of the United Nations, and requests the Secretary-General also to make proposals on how best to reflect this function in the organizational structure of the Organization;
3See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 7 (A/56/7), para. 87.
5
Also requeststhe Secretary-General to ensure that the information and communication technology requirements for the various duty stations and the regional commissions, in particular those located in developing countries, are fully integrated into the strategy,1 and that appropriate provision is made to allow for the implementation of information and communication technology in those offices;
6
Further requeststhe Secretary-General to provide, in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004–2005, the following additional information:
a
An update on the status of projects identified in the strategy;
b
The return on investment anticipated for planned and proposed major projects, in terms which are as quantitative as possible;
c
Specific plans to strengthen the information and communication technology infrastructure and the functionality this would provide, measures to strengthen system security and the means to ensure system reliability and maintenance, indicating, where possible, how they compare with practices in similar organizations;
d
The specific objectives for the planned or proposed further development of connectivity with the various duty stations, field missions, regional commissions, the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994;
7
Requeststhe Secretary-General to address, in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004–2005, the optimum placement in the Organization of technical functions currently housed in the Information Technology Services Division that are not information and communication technology functions;
8
Notes that the provisions of the present resolution include guidelines that should assist the Advisory Committee in its consideration of the information and communication technology strategy, and decides to revert to this question and the report of the Secretary-General in the light of the observations and recommendations of the Advisory Committee thereon, in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2004–2005.
