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
The Village Broadband Internet Project in Thailand
Thailand was one of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) prize winners during the WSIS Forum in Geneva this year. Thailand won the WSIS prize in the category of “information and communication infrastructure” for its Village Broadband Internet project (Net Pracharat). Net Pracharat is a national fixed broadband network providing free public Wi-Fi hotspots to connect remote/non-commercialize areas.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Ethics Initiatives in Singapore
Singapore was one of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) prize winners during the WSIS Forum in Geneva this year. Singapore won the WSIS prize in the category of “ethical dimensions of the information society” for its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Ethics Initiatives.
Establishment of Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA) and e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF)
Bangladesh was one of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) prize winners during the WSIS Forum in Geneva this year. Bangladesh won the WSIS prize in the category of “enabling environment” for establishing of a Bangladesh National Digital Architecture (BNDA) and e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF).
Russian Federation wins 2019 WSIS Prizes
Three Russian IT projects - “Public Libraries of St. Petersburg”, “My Documents” and “Center for Monitoring and Responding to Computer Attacks in the Credit and Financial Sphere of the Bank of Russia” - are among the Champions of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). The award ceremony was held at the WSIS Forum, which took place in Geneva from April 8 to 12.