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 

 

 

How to Build a Resilient ICT Ecosystem

31 August 2022

Over the past two decades many countries in the Indo-Pacific have strengthened their resilience against numerous natural calamities. But there is still a lot to be done. The COVID-19 pandemic and persistent climate change have shifted the risk landscape significantly. In this context, the USAID event  on Wednesday, 7 September, 2022 seeks to highlight innovative approaches and connectivity solutions that build a resilient ICT ecosystem to mitigate against a range of threats, from conflict to natural disasters.

The Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation, Fourth Session

26 August 2022

The Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation, Fourth Session will be held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 30 August to  1 September 2022. The Committee session will be held virtually via videoconference. Bangkok-based representatives from member States and international organizations are welcome to participate in person at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.

SPECA WORKING GROUP ON INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

10 June 2022

The Working Group on Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Development (WG on ITSD) is a subsidiary body under the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), comprising senior policymakers, researchers, decision-makers, and implementers from the SPECA countries responsible for developing guidance and finding practical solutions to problems identified by the countries. The WG provides a platform for sharing experiences and discussing issues within the SPECA framework. 

ESCAP, in cooperation with ECE efforts and strategy, seeks to:

Digital India Knowledge Exchange

9 June 2022

Date: 4-7 July 2022

In the next phase of Digital India, digital transformation is expected to be powered by emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things, fifth generation (5G) networks, Augmented Reality, Machine learning among others. India is increasingly seen as a prominent hub for research, and the home to vibrant startup ecosystem.

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