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Information & Communications Technology

Despite the great progress in deepening regional connectivity through information and communication technologies, Asia and the Pacific is still the most digitally divided region in the world, with less than eight per cent of the population connected to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet. As a result, millions of people are shut out from transformative digital opportunities in education, health and financial services. Women and girls, in particular, have lower levels of access to broadband Internet and other knowledge-enhancing technologies. The Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (APIS) initiative aims to increase the availability and affordability of broadband Internet for all people across Asia and the Pacific. The ESCAP Youtube channel can be viewed here.

 

An Asia-Pacific intergovernmental platform recognized by ESCAP member States as one of the useful regional platforms for the promotion of digital cooperation (ESCAP Resolution 78/1, May 2022). APIS platform objectives are to bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation by promoting digital connectivity, digital technology and applications, and the use and management of digital data. APIS Action plan consists of three pillars with scoped 25 actions. Three APIS Working Groups are focused on Connectivity for All, Digital Technologies and Applications and Digital Data. This APIS action plan 2022-2026 is supporting multi-stakeholder events at a high level, like Ministerial Conferences (ref Seoul, 10 November 2022), ESCAP Committee for ICT, Science Technology and Innovation (2020, 2022), United Nations Special Programme for Central Asia (2020-2023) and its Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development

 

The APIS technical cooperation projects created online connectivity tools, an e-resilience monitoring dashboard, focused on rural-urban connectivity, clean air for sustainable ASEAN  and digital payment projects.  ESCAP website publishes analytical reports and working paper series on Asia and the Pacific digital transformation. Please refer to the brochure on APIS here 

 

 

E-resilience Monitoring Toolkit Methodological Notes and Pilot Countries’ Profiles

The on-going pandemic of COVID-19 has shown the great extent with which we rely upon the digital services to sustain our normal existence.

The same services during the time of need can transform into a source of innovation and hope, and become powerful tools to manage hazard and exposure. While there is a little doubt that our recovery effort success with leaving no one behind will depend on the reliable, high quality, accessible and affordable digital services and the underlying ICTs.

Infrastructure Corridors Simulator

Infrastructure Corridors Simulator This Simulation tool is aimed to determine the most appropriate model for development of new Integrated Infrastructure Corridors. The knowledge product includes in-depth research and methodology on identifying and developing promising infrastructure corridors in the view of co-deployment of the ICT-Energy- Transport infrastructures and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Expert Group Consultations on the Establishment of the Central Asian Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development (DSC SD)

Ms. Tiziana Bonapace, Director of IDD of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in cooperation with Mr Askar Zhambakin, Vice Minister of Ministry of Digital Development and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan virtually co-hosted consultations with SPECA country experts on the above theme on 15th November 2021.

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