Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

Secure ICT Infrastructure Crucial for Economic Integration


Secure And Trusted ICT Infrastructure Crucial Driver Of Regional Economic Integration

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

St Petersburg, Russia, 6 August 2012 – The development of stronger, more integrated digital economies in the Asia-Pacific region will be the focus of the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Telecommunications and Information (TEL) on 7-8 August 2012 in St Petersburg, Russia.

APEC Ministers will consider actions and proposals put forward by APEC senior telecommunications officials who concluded their strategic and technical meeting here on Monday. The goal is to advance practical policies that improve confidence in information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure across APEC economies.

The advancement of joint initiatives designed to promote greater information and communications ICT inclusiveness and security will be among the issues on APEC Ministers’ agenda.

“Widespread access and use of ICT such as broadband infrastructure and applications remains a crucial driver of regional economic integration and can furthermore improve trade opportunities and supply-chains,” said Andrey Mukhanov, chair of the APEC senior telecommunications officials’ meeting.

“APEC economies continue to work together, in coordination with key industry stakeholders, to reduce barriers to information flows, bridge the digital divide and create a safer, more trusted ICT environment.”

In 2010, APEC economies reported that they had achieved the goal of universal internet access throughout the region. Two of their concrete targets now are to achieve universal broadband access by 2015 and access to the next generation of high-speed broadband networks and services by 2020.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

APEC Telecommunications and Information Ministers will assess ways to build on the progress made this year to promote the sharing of regulatory frameworks and best practices between member economies.

This includes harmonizing regional industry development in areas such as data and network integrity, and ICT user privacy.

Efforts to boost member economies’ technical capacity to accommodate the sector’s growth, including the rapid proliferation of fixed and mobile devices, and their ability to raise ICT proficiency in the region will also be examined.

“Greater education and awareness, in addition to the lowering of costs for consumers, are critical to ensuring that everyone has the skills, ability and access to benefit fully from the information economy,” said Mukhanov.

“APEC’s ongoing work in this regard is bolstering growth and expanding business participation in the region.” he added, “It is also bringing important social benefits such as improved human safety, including food and energy security, as well as providing practical solutions for a broad spectrum of challenges related to green growth and emergency situations.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.