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 initiative aims to increase the availability and affordability of broadband Internet for all people across Asia and the Pacific. The ESCAP IDD Youtube channel can be viewed here.
The first-ever Central Asia Peering and Interconnection Forum (CAPIF 1) will take place in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 16-17 November 2022. Click here for Registration
Central Asia is a landlocked region with a high potential to serve as a crossroads of interconnection for other regions and countries, including China, Russia, Iran, the Caucasus and the Middle East.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the interlinkages between digitalization and development. The pandemic catalysed the deployment of innovative digital solutions and digital cooperation for coping with everyday activities and new socio-economic development opportunities. At the same time, the digital divides that the pandemic exacerbated have widened and threatened development inequalities across countries.
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 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.
ESCAP secretariat is convening the sixth session of the AP-IS Steering Committee on 29 August 2022.
