Asia-Pacific, home to over half the world’s population, is the largest and most diverse region of the globe. Four of its countries (China, India, Indonesia, Japan) also account for more than half of the world’s mobile subscriber base. Yet a significant part of the population remains unconnected.

The current global pandemic has made the role of digital technologies—and the urgent need to provide affordable and accessible connectivity to everyone—stark.

A new policy paper explores available data from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia to identify those groups that have been left furthest behind in a range of indicators. Using innovative methodologies and analytical tools, the paper reveals gaps because those who have access to basic opportunities and services, and those who don't.

For more details, please visit here.

In recent years, a growing number of governments have adopted policies aimed at supporting the transition towards a digital economy. The World Trade Report 2020 looks at these policy trends and at how trade and the WTO fit with them.

This working paper of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Working Paper Series identifies key information and communications technology (ICT) policies and strategies in Timor-Leste, assesses the level of ICT development, and evaluates the challenges and policy implications.

The Internet plays a central role in developing and augmenting the capacities of the youth. However, use of the Internet also entails new risks regarding their safety and protection both in the physical and virtual worlds. Therefore, it is important to understand how to implement appropriate measures and enhance their effectiveness rather than quick-fix interventions to limit children’s online access which can cause a loss of benefits the Internet can deliver. However, there has been only limited research on child online safety measures in Asia and the Pacific.