The 73rd session of the ESCAP Commission in May 2017 adopted resolution 73/6 on the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (AP-IS) through regional cooperation. The resolution invited members and associate members to cooperate in the implementation of the Master Plan for the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway and the Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway Regional Cooperation Framework Document as endorsed by the Committee on Information and Communications Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation at its first session .

On the sidelines of the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 16 March, ESCAP launched the EGovforWomen Online Toolkit – the first region-wide toolbox to support gender mainstreaming of E-Government. Through a set of five comprehensive modules, this innovative public resource provides key pointers for policymakers on gender-responsive design of e-service delivery, e-participation and connectivity initiatives, as well as introduces a capabilities-based approach to evaluate E-Government for women’s empowerment.

The side event will showcase the work of UN agencies (ESCAP, APT, ITU, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNV) and its partners (member States, research organizations, academia, private sector) in fostering partnerships with government and stakeholders at country level in using ICT tools for e-resilience and societal transformation in sectors which cover the work programmes of the UN agencies (e.g. early warning and disaster risk reduction, information superhighway, telecommunication, capacity building, education, volunteers, water and sanitation, etc.).

The Fifth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development is scheduled to be held at the UN Secretariat between 28th March to 30th March 2018. H.E. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Minister for Interior and Minister of Planning and Development of Pakistan is expected to deliver the opening speech of APFSD. ESCAP convenes the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) on a yearly basis, as a unique regional platform for dialogue between ESCAP member states and other stakeholders on the implementation, follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

‘Broadband Connectivity in the Pacific Island Countries’ is a Working Paper contributing to the policy dialogue on the implementation of the Asia Pacific Information Superhighway initiative spearheaded by ESCAP. The Working paper examined recent developments on broadband connectivity in the Pacific island countries, identifying important drivers of broadband adoption in recent years.