Introduction

The United Nations Group on the Information Society (UNGIS) is the United Nations (UN) system’s inter-agency mechanism for advancing policy coherence and programme coordination on matters related to information and communications technologies (ICTs) in support of internationally-agreed development goals. Its mandate includes promoting collaboration and partnerships among the members of the Chief Executives Board (CEB) to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), providing guidance on issues related to inclusive information and knowledge societies, helping maintain issues related to science and technology at the top of the UN Agenda, and mainstreaming ICT for Development in the mandate of CEB members. The UNGIS is comprised of 31 UN entities1, and this contribution to the HLPF process is framed by their collective experience and expertise.