§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they endorse the appointment of Jose Maria Figueres to the United Nations' Information and Communication Technologies Advisory Group; and what plans they have to assist the ICT Group in its work. [HL4668]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe fully endorse the appointment of Jose Maria Figueres to the United Nations' Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Advisory Group. We believe the UN has an important role to play in addressing ICT issues and the global "digital divide", in co-operation with other international bodies, including the G8 and the Commonwealth. Mr Figueres and other members of the Advisory Group met senior officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the 143WA Department for International Development on 17 November to discuss their work. The discussions were useful and we remain keen to play an active role in helping the group take its work forward.