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.
Cyber resilience, the ability for positive adaptation in the face of adverse cyber events, is seen as an evolution in the cybersecurity posture of organizations and countries. It represents a mindset shift from protection and avoidance of adverse cyber events and the development of fail safe systems to anticipation and planning for adverse cyber events, including the development of systems that are safe to fail.
The Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation, Third Session was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok from 19 to 20 August 2020. The Committee session was held virtually via videoconference on 19 and 20 August 2020. Bangkok-based representatives from member States and international organizations were welcome to participate in person at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
The cost of transit between networks in Oceania, coupled with the high cost of international bandwidth, are likely to be driving factors behind the rise in Internet Exchanges Points (IXPs) in the region, according to Narelle Clark, CEO of the Internet Association of Australia (IAA).
The fourth session of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS) Steering Committee and WSIS Regional Review is scheduled to be held on 11 August 2020 (virtual online meeting).
