ASIA PACIFIC INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY (AP-IS)

ASIA PACIFIC INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY (AP-IS) 20th Meeting of the Regional Interagency Working Group on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Bangkok. 11 November 2016 ICT and Development Section ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division ESCAP

2 Outline: 1. Digital Divide in Asia and the Pacific 2. AP-IS Master Plan and Regional Cooperation Framework Document 3. WSIS Regional Review 4. APCICT capacity building 5. ICT for DRR Gateway 6. Way Forward

3 Fixed Broadband Penetration Rates

4 (1) Digital Divide Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants by income group, 2000-2015 30 20 10 Income level plays a major role in determining access to broadband connectivity 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year ESCAP High-Income Eco (Average) ESCAP Upper-Mid-Inc. Eco(Average) ESCAP Low-Income Eco (Average) ESCAP Lower-Middle-Income Eco (Average) ESCAP Average Source: Produced by ESCAP, based on data sourced from ITU World Telecommunications/ICT Indicators Database (accessed ASIA-PACIFIC July 2016). INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY

(1) Digital Divide There is a strong correlation between the perceptions on quality of regulations and fixed-broadband subscriptions. 5 Quality of Regulation vs Access to Broadband connectivity Source: Produced by ESCAP, based on data sourced from ITU World Telecommunications/ICT Indicators Database, accessed June 2015. Regulatory Quality Index sourced from World Governance Indicators, World Bank. Note: Estimates for Regulatory Quality ranges between -2 (poor regulatory quality) and +2 (very good regulatory quality); 95% Confidence Interval shaded in grey.

Online Services Index 6 (1). Digital Divide Online services versus telecommunications infrastructure in North and Central Asia, and South and South-West Asia in 2008 and 2014.8.6.4.2 ESCAP North & Central Asia Kazakhstan Russian Federation Armenia Georgia Uzbekistan Azerbaijan Armenia Kyrgyzstan ESCAP South & South-West Asia.7.6.5.4.3 Sri Lanka India Turkey Iran (Islamic Rep. of) Bangladesh Pakistan Maldives Missed Opportunities ICT infrastructure in place, but online services lacking 0 Turkmenistan Tajikistan 0.2.4.6 Telecommunications Infrastructure Index 2008 2014.2 Bhutan Afghanistan Nepal 0.1.2.3.4 Telecommunications Infrastructure Index 2008 2014 Source: Produced by ESCAP, based on data sourced from the United Nations Public Administration Country Studies/E-Government Development Index Database (accessed April 2016).

(1) Digital Divide 7 Online services versus telecommunications infrastructure in South-East Asia and developing countries in the Pacific in 2008 and 2014 Source: Produced by ESCAP, based on data sourced from the United Nations Public Administration Country Studies/E-Government Development Index Database (accessed April 2016).

8 The Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway initiative aims to increase the availability and affordability of broadband Internet across Asia and the Pacific, by strengthening the underlying Internet infrastructure in the region. Promote terrestrial and submarine fibre-optic connectivity Provide a regional intergovernmental platform focusing on the missing fibre-optic links between ESCAP countries

9 (2) Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway FOUR PILLARS

10 (2) Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway AP-IS Master Plan (MP) and Regional Cooperation Framework (RCF) endorsed by ESCAP member states during the 1 st meeting of the CICTSTI (5-7 Oct 2016) AP-IS MP and RCF outline the principles, deliverables, timeline and financing mechanisms towards developing regional broadband networks to bridge broadband divide and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

(2). Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway AP-IS Master Plan seven initiatives 11 Expansion of Reg. backbone networks AP-IS funding platform Est. of IXPs Policy and Regulations for AP-IS Initiatives Social and Economic impact of ICT on people ICT infrastructure resilience Capacity building

12 (2). Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway The AP-IS Master Plan has seven initiatives: (1) Identification and promote the expansion of regional backbone networks; (2) Promote the establishment of a sufficient number of Internet exchange points at the national and subregional levels to prevent Internet traffic tromboning, decrease transit costs and improve service quality; (3) Coordinate regional studies on the impact of ICT connectivity on social and economic aspects of people;

13 (2) Asia-Pacific Information Superhighway (4) Promote ICT infrastructure resilience (through diversification of fibre-optic routes, increase redundancy through increasing the number of cables/satellite connects, and cybersecurity preparedness ); (5) Promote policy and regulations for inclusive broadband initiatives; (6) Capacity-building (sharing of good practices and lessons learned at the regional level to ensure that increased connectivity is utilised for productive use); and (7) formulation of an Asia-Pacific information superhighway funding platform (PPP).

14 (3) WSIS Regional Review ESCAP Resolution 72/10, Regional review of the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society action lines (E/ESCAP/RES/72/10) ESCAP-ITU WSIS Regional Review Meeting, 4 October 2016, Bangkok. Inputs from the regional review will be consolidated by UNCTAD (Secretariat of CSTD) in preparation of its report to the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) (as per ECOSOC resolutions 2006/46 & 2016/22).

15 (3) WSIS Regional Review Recognition of the importance of ICT for development to address the Digital Divide. Objectives: (1). To build an inclusive information society; (2). To put the potential of knowledge and ICT at the service of development; (3). To promote the use of ICT for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals (Sustainable Development Goals SDG); and (4). To address new challenges of the information society (national, regional and international levels).

(3). WSIS Regional Review 16 Lessons learned from past World Summit on the Information Society implementation Widening digital divide in Asia and the Pacific Need for appropriate financing mechanisms for developing the information society Multi-stakeholder approach Challenges in measuring WSIS targets/action lines (including data collection and availability and how to measure the impact of ICT on economic growth) Mainstreaming of ICT into national strategic development policies

(3). WSIS Regional Review Issues for Consideration by the Committee The role of the Asia-Pacific information superhighway initiative is critical towards narrowing the digital divide in Asia and the Pacific. Request the WSIS action line facilitators to contribute to the regional review, in order to enhance informationsharing and inter-agency collaboration. Member countries are encouraged to enhance nationallevel efforts through revitalizing national World Summit committees 17

(4). APCICT Capacity building Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development A Regional Institute of UN-ESCAP Established in June 2006. Located in Incheon, ROK Mission: Build the human and institutional capacity of ESCAP members States in using ICT for sustainable development 18

(4). APCICT Capacity building APCICT Flagship ICT Human Capacity Development Programmes Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders To equip civil servants with essential knowledge and skills to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve sustainable socio-economic development Primer Series on ICTD for Youth To impart key ICTD knowledge to students and youth who are the leaders of tomorrow Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) To promote ICT-enabled women entrepreneurship 19

(4). APCICT Capacity building Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Consists of an 11-module ICTD curriculum covering basic to advanced topics on ICT for development The Academy is utilized in 35 countries in Asia and the Pacific and institutionalized in civil service human resource development frameworks The programme is delivered through face-to-face training and online via the APCICT Virtual Academy (AVA) 20

(4). APCICT Capacity building Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders APCICT is enhancing the Academy Programme by strengthening the linkage to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Updating of existing Academy Modules New content development (e.g. Data for Smart Government) APCICT continues to promote and institutionalize the Academy in member States by building pool of national resource persons (through Training of Trainers) and supporting partners in Academy customization and localization 21

(4). APCICT Capacity building Primer Series on ICTD for Youth Aims to expand the coverage of ICTD education in university curricula Includes ICTD learning resources (5 Primer Series Issues) that are utilized by instructors/professors in over 150 universities in the region Provides opportunities for students to implement ICT-based projects and contribute to community development (Engaged Learning) 22

(4). APCICT Capacity building Primer Series on ICTD for Youth APCICT is enhancing the Primer Series to strengthen the linkage to the Sustainable Development Goals APCICT continues to promote the Primer Series to institutions of higher learning in the region through Training of Trainers as well as Primer customization and localization APCICT is promoting and expanding partnerships with colleges and universities to use the Engaged Learning approach 23

(4). APCICT Capacity building Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) WIFI aims to strengthen capacity of: Current and potential women entrepreneurs to utilize information and communication technologies in support of their businesses Government leaders and policymakers to create an enabling environment for ICT-empowered women entrepreneurship Includes a training programme in two tracks: women entrepreneurs and policymakers 24

(4). APCICT Capacity building Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) WIFI Regional Launch held on 9 June 2016 in Incheon, Republic of Korea; strong interest from member States to adopt the WIFI programme Sri Lanka was the first country to launch WIFI (September 2016), to be followed by Cambodia (December 2016) and the Philippines (March 2017) APCICT to continue the roll-out and institutionalization of the WIFI programme at the sub-regional and national levels in 2017 25

26 (5). ICT & DRR Gateway Providing policymakers and relevant stakeholders with an accessible gateway containing a spectrum of resources with regard to Information and Communications Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction

(5). ICT & DRR Gateway 27 The ICT & DRR Gateway provides: News & Publications Hazard Alert Maps News updates, events and publications with regard to ICT & DRR Latest hazard information provided through alerts and a variety of maps E-Learning & Tools Online Communities Links to e-learning platforms and other relevant resources Overview of online communities fostering stakeholder dialogue

(5). ICT & DRR Gateway Up-to-date information from a wide spectrum of sources with regard to ICT & DRR 28 As well as national ICT Ministries in the Asia-Pacific region

(5). ICT & DRR Gateway Examples of various News & Resources for ICT Policymakers News from national ICT Ministries 29 Publications from relevant organizations Philippines Philippines jumps to 71st spot in the 2016 egdi rankings New Zealand Telco Act gearing up for 21st Century upgrade ITU How can AI-powered cars help make cities smarter? APCICT Women and ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) in Pakistan ICT-related news from the web Carrier-neutral provider revenues grow 12% in 2Q16 5G prospects: Key capabilities to unlock digital opportunities Sharp innovation gap seen between advanced, emerging Asia Expert interviews on relevant ICT topics Mr. Rohan Samarajiva LIRNEasia Mr. Stephen Sheehan Asia-Pacific Telecommunity

30 (5). ICT & DRR Gateway Navigate to the ICT & DRR Gateway Access the Gateway on www.drrgateway.net

31 (6) Plan for 2017 AP-IS implementation of seven initiatives (2016-2018), including research and analysis First AP-IS Steering Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled for September 2017, Dhaka, Bangladesh WSIS Regional Review Explore inter-agency Working Group on ICT collaboration future activities (next 12 months) Capacity development workshops

32 Thank you! Email: escap-ids@un.org Sources: ESCAP (2016), State of ICT 2016 in Asia and the Pacific, via link: http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/state%20of%20ict%20in%20asia%20a nd%20the%20pacific%202016.pdf