Asia Pacific Telecommunication Organization Consolidates Regional IT

Denpasar, Bali (Antara) - Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Farida Dwi Cahyarini, said Asia Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in Bali on March 21-23, 2017 has consolidated development programs of information technology and communications in the region.

"The Asia Pacific RPM this time has  successfully consolidated development programs for the regional benefit and they will be given as inputs to the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2017 in Buenos Aires," she said here, Thursday.

The meeting has generated initiatives and proposals to be included in a declaration to be issued at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in October 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The RPM was preceded by the Asia-Pacific Regional Development Forum (RDF) 2017.

Meanwhile, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of ITU, Brahima Sanou, said the RPM has identified critical issues in the development of information and communications technology in the region.

A participant from Bangladesh, Zakir Hossain Khan, said the RPM this time has been successfully organized.

"What has been done today are truly encouraging, we highly appreciate it," Khan, who serves as Senior Assistant Director of Bangladesh Regulatory Commission for Media Communications and Media Telecommunications, said.

The RPM Asia-Pacific  was participated in by 217 people from 29 countries, producing regional initiatives for Asia Pacific 2018-2021 that will be taken into consideration at WTDC-17.

The draft of the initiatives includes special needs of developing countries such as small island states that are developing, including the Pacific island states and landlocked countries.

It also contains the use of ICTs in support of  digital economy, including an inclusive digital society, the development of infrastructure to improve digital connectivity, and empowerment policies and a secure and resilient environment.(*)